On the Henan Plain, a team of hundreds of officers and soldiers, with several carriages, slowly moved westward along the valley waterway. This is the new Han Dynasty Shuofang Jiedushi, Zheng Guogong Shi Hongzhao and his party, starting from Luoyang and going to the northwest frontier.
The people accompanying him, in addition to Shi Hongzhao's servants, were some of his subordinates who had been following him for many years. In addition, Liu Chengyou also showed special grace and transferred several of Shi Hongzhao's old troops from the Tokyo Forbidden Army for his use. As a result, Zheng Guogong's mark in the Han Dynasty Forbidden Army faded again.
Since receiving the order to move to Shuofang, Shi Hongzhao has been in a bad mood, mainly because of the huge gap in his heart.
At the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, he was the commander-in-chief in charge of the Forbidden Army and the leader of the army. He was so powerful and flamboyant at that time. In the first year of Qianyou's reign, he was devolved to Luoyang to stay. At that time, Shi Hongzhao was already unhappy, but he could still comfort himself. After all, he controlled the military affairs of Xijing and had a large number of officials in the border areas. He also had a lot of power. Compared with Kaifeng, where there was a small emperor and various assistants below. My lord, at least I can feel more at ease.
Therefore, Shi Hongzhao also lived happily in Luoyang for three years. But now, what kind of place is Shuofang? It's a barren land in the far northwest, and yet just because the flies and bugs in Xijing buzzed about, he was sent to Shuofang!
exile! In Shi Hongzhao's view, Shuofang's appointment was tantamount to exile.
Due to his bad mood, Shi Hongzhao had a cold face all the way, giving people a feeling of evil energy. Finally, during a break at noon, he broke out and cursed non-stop:
"Those people in Xijing are probably proud of themselves this time. I was finally driven away by them! If I had known this, I should have been more ruthless in my attack!"
"Is the emperor just going to let those civil servants and pen officials manipulate them? What should Luoyang have to fear about the old officials and old ministers who have no soldiers and no power? That Fan Zhi is just a relic of the previous dynasty. What kind of person is he when I take the military power? ? In Luoyang, do I take his family’s land and take in his family’s tenants?”
"Over the years I have been in Xijing, how much land have I paid for the imperial court, how many people have I registered, and how much grain have I transported? Can't the imperial court see this?"
"That Jingfan is just a field official. He can't control the nobles and suppress the powerful. I have almost managed Luoyang. He comes to enjoy the results. There are such good things in the world. As soon as he takes office, he will show some kindness to those nobles. Give him some benefits, I'm afraid those people will have to support him..."
In the past three years in Luoyang, Shi Hongzhao has made some progress. Although his temper has not improved much, his political acumen has still opened up.
Shi Hongzhao was spitting profusely, and the followers around him were busy doing their own things, taking care of horses and livestock, eating and drinking, and did not dare to talk to each other.
After venting his anger, Shi Hongzhao shook his head, his rough face softened, and muttered to himself: "Where did Shi come from with so many rumblings? It has come to this point. If you complain about this woman and spread it out, it will only cause trouble." People laugh!”
"Remember me, what I just said is not allowed to be leaked!" Shi Hongzhao ordered to the left and right, almost at the top of his voice.
"Yes!" Several people nearby agreed quickly.
After his emotions calmed down, Shi Hongzhao put his helmet under his arm, ate dry food, and said with emotion: "Shi was originally a general, and now he went to the border again to guard the city against the invaders, which is considered his rightful place. That's all, he should guard the country for the late emperor and repay his kindness. Thank you for your kindness..."
Shi Hongzhao seemed to be looking away. However, after putting on the heavy armor, robe, and horse again, his nerves seemed to relax a little.
Sitting on a piece of bluestone, watching the pedestrians walking with heavy loads on the road, looking into the distance, two mountains facing each other are like a bridge, and there is a market at the entrance of the bridge. Even though they are far apart, you can still hear some noises, which are peaceful The sound of peace.
During his tenure, Shi Hongzhao inspected a lot of the vast areas around Luoyang, especially in the east and north. Basically, he went to the lands, manors, and dingkou of the nobles in Xijing. I haven’t been to the west of Luoyang that much.
"Zou Li, where is the place ahead?" Shi Hongzhao asked.
A humble clerk who felt that his future was slim, hurriedly came up and reported: "The two mountains in front are Qinglong in the east and Fenghuang in the west. Below them is Quekou City. They serve as the east-west corridor. The new markets that have emerged in the past two years are surrounded by Villagers from more than ten miles away come and go and barter every time!"
"Haha!" Hearing this, Shi Hongzhao was happy: "They say that I, Shi Hongzhao, disturb the people and harm the people. Aren't the people in this village happy to work and live in peace?"
The clerk was silent, it was not his turn to comment on such matters.
The spring sun was warm and comfortable, and Shi Hongzhao sighed again: "It's the Lantern Festival soon, but I still have to run to the west..."
Just when Zheng Guogong would complain from time to time, a small group of knights came running from the east, led by a green-robed official who was young and handsome.
"Forbidden troops from Tokyo!" With Shi Hongzhao's eyesight, he could immediately see the origin of the knight.
The visitor saw Shi Hongzhao, a large group of people, and turned straight towards him. The target was obviously him: "May I ask if this is Duke Zheng, the military envoy of Shuofang?"
"I am here, who are you?" Shi Hongzhao asked contemptuously, turning his back on the young green-robed official without even moving.
The leading official dismounted and noticed Shi Hongzhao's arrogance and frown. He cupped his hands and said, "I'm the official who picked up the king's treasures in the palace. I have been specially ordered by your majesty to see Duke Zheng off!"
"Zheng Guogong is worthy of being a resolute man. He moves so fast. I have to catch up with him for hundreds of miles to reach Xin'an territory before he catches up!" Wang Zhu said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone.
Since the emperor was here as an envoy, Shi Hongzhao sat upright, but that was all, and said: "I have to give up my position to others! I didn't expect that the emperor still remembered my old minister. Tell me, why did your majesty send you here?"
Wang Zhu took out an edict from the sleeves of his robe, handed it to Shi Hongzhao with both hands, and said, "This is your majesty's secret edict to Duke Zheng!"
Seeing this, Shi Hongzhao stood up and took it with one hand.
But seeing his attitude, it was clear that he was contemptuous of the emperor's authority. It was completely different from the awe of the emperor that the ministers had seen in Tokyo. He was angry, but he didn't dare to attack Shi Hongzhao.
When Shi Hongzhao opened the edict and read it, thinking about Liu Chengyou's instructions in his heart, Wang Zhu stepped forward and said slowly: "Before I left, your majesty had told me to inform Duke Zheng."
Shi Hongzhao put away the secret edict, with some thoughts on his face. After listening to his words, he stared at the king and asked, "If the emperor has anything else to say, please tell me!"
"His Majesty said that he knows that Duke Zheng has been wronged this time. You have made great contributions to the imperial court. What you did in Xijing was for the consideration of the country and conducive to the rule of the imperial court. It is understandable that the methods may be excessive and the misconduct may be inappropriate."
"Moving to Lingzhou is actually a gathering of nobles and nobles from the Western Capital, wanting to hold you accountable. The country is vast and the affairs are complicated. To govern the country, we need guidance and compromise. As the saying goes, letting you go to Lingzhou can be regarded as a kind of protection. .”
"Your Majesty knows that Duke Zheng is very active in the army and is very good at running the army. His function should also be used in frontier fortress. At present, there is chaos in the northwest, and it is time to use force. Please bear with it, look for opportunities in the future, and then transfer him back to the imperial court."
"Mr. Zheng has nothing to worry about at home. Your Majesty has already put on his official uniform and is kind to you. Your son, Dejuan, is a talented person with a loyal and upright character. He knows Yunzhou and has already gone to Xucheng to take up his post!"
After hearing what Wang Zhu said, Shi Hongzhao corrected his attitude. He lowered his head to look at the edict in his hand, bowed his hands towards the east and bowed deeply.
He straightened up and said to the king: "Go back and tell the emperor that I know his intentions. Please rest assured that I will help him suppress those miscreants in Shuofang!"
"In addition, in a few days it will be the Lantern Festival. His Majesty ordered his officials to bring some gifts to Duke Zheng!" After saying that, the king waved his hand and asked the accompanying soldiers to bring them to him: "Come here, bring the gifts your Majesty has given you. !”
"Thank you!"
After seeing off Shi Hongzhao, Wang Zhuang took his guards and returned eastward. Riding on the horse, he shook his head lightly and murmured: "I have heard that Mr. Zheng is arrogant and difficult to control. Today I saw it, and it is true. I am a low-ranking official, but I am also an angel. I am so contemptuous. It is so rude to accept the imperial edict." If this continues, where is the power of the king and the power of the country?”
"When I return to the court, I will report this situation to the truth!" Wang Zhu secretly determined.
"Wang Shiyi, what's our next step? Are we going back to Tokyo?" asked the accompanying commander of the imperial army.
"No, go to Xijing!" Wang Zong looked east and said, "Your Majesty still has an order to inform Jingfan who stays behind."
This Jingfan must be easier to deal with than Shi Hongzhao. Regardless of fatigue, Wang Zhu had such thoughts in his mind as he galloped on his horse.
Shi Hongzhao's performance just now greatly touched the young emperor's ministers. His Majesty seems to be in charge now, but there are still many people in the local area who do not know the etiquette of the emperor and his ministers and despise the emperor's authority. This situation of sluggish imperial power since the late Tang Dynasty and three generations still needs to be improved.
