There have always been only a few "guests" in the Imperial City Prison, but recently, the person with the highest status in the Imperial City Prison was none other than Guo Rong, the Commander-in-Chief of the Zhenning Army.
Compared with ordinary prison cells, the cell where Guo Rong is located is much cleaner. It is equipped with couches, bedding, desk paper, pen and ink, including a bucket.
Guo Rong was dressed in ocher clothes, holding a volume in one hand and a pen in the other, immersed in the case. His expression was calm, without much of a sense of desolation as he was behind bars. It's just that his appearance is less trimmed and his stubble is more unruly. Compared with before, Guo Rong's whole temperament has undergone a huge change. It is a temperament that has been immersed in power all year round, and is dignified and dignified.
"Prisoner!" After a long while, Guo Rong straightened up, moved his neck and wrists a little, stretched, and called out.
The prison was very quiet, and soon there was a sound of footsteps, and a thin old officer wearing military armor walked in.
The lantern in his hand was shining into the cell, and the warder asked in a hoarse voice: "What are your orders, Commander Guo?"
"Now I am a person who is being punished, so I should not be called a king!" With a humble mouth, Guo Rong pointed to the candle with only its tail left on the table and said: "This candle is about to be used up, give me a new one. Also, add some more paper!”
"Yes!" While the jailer agreed, he looked at Guo Rong again and couldn't help but sigh: "Why did you come to jail!"
Hearing this, Guo Rong turned his attention to the old man and asked casually: "In your opinion, what am I here for?"
"In the old man's opinion, it's more like you have changed your place to work and govern!" The jailer said: "The old man has never seen anyone treated like this in this prison. I and other villains are... Give food and drinks, and also take care of the lights, candles, pen and ink..."
"Haha..." Guo Rong smiled faintly: "Then why do you serve me, a sinner, so diligently?"
The warder followed with a smile, his eyes showing shrewdness and a bit of flattery: "I have been here for many years, and officials who have been in and out of prison for crimes have never escaped from their crimes and walked out safely. But Ambassador Guo You are different. Although I have little knowledge, I have a feeling that you will be able to get out intact. It is not impossible for the official to return to his original post. Otherwise, why would the superior officer tell us to serve you carefully..."
"There are still some gangsters among the gangsters. Do you know that it is precisely because there are too many people like you who want to flatter you that the country cannot be peaceful, the government cannot be governed, and the people cannot be peaceful." Guo Rong raised his hand and said something to the jailer. Very embarrassing.
Seeing his reaction, Guo Rong added quietly: "However, I am stuck here and receiving care from you. This kindness is also engraved in my heart. If I can see the sun again, I should be rewarded!"
Hearing what Guo Rong said, the jailer breathed a sigh of relief and echoed: "Please wait for a moment while I get you some paper and candles."
When he turned around, he couldn't help but murmur in his heart, this Guo Shijun is not an easy person to serve. Of course, he is not an ordinary person either. That kind of magnanimity is rarely seen in the world.
Later, Liu Chengyou came to the imperial prison in person, wearing a bright yellow robe, which was very eye-catching in the dimly lit prison. The warden personally accompanied him and led Liu Chengyou to visit Guo Rong. He walked to the cell and took a look at the layout. He couldn't help but glance at the warden: "I didn't know that the conditions in a big man's prison were so good?"
One sentence made the warden shrink his neck suddenly, not daring to look at Liu Chengyou. He only glanced at Guo Rong. Nono didn't know how to respond.
"Guilty minister Guo Rong, please bow to Your Majesty!" Through the cell door, Guo Rong stood up, bowed and fell down.
The cell door opened, Liu Chengyou stooped to enter, passed Guo Rong, and sat down on his small desk. Guo Rong turned around again and kept kowtowing.
"Get up!" Liu Chengyou sighed: "Sit down!"
Guo Rong then stood up, knelt down facing each other, and raised his hands to Liu Chengyou: "Why do you need Your Majesty to come in person?"
"Since the last northern tour, we have not seen each other for more than a year. We miss you so much!" Liu Chengyou reached out and picked up some scattered papers on the case: "However, I didn't expect that we would meet again in this prison. Yes! However, I see that you are still very comfortable here!"
"Your Majesty is joking." Seeing Liu Chengyou's actions, Guo Rong hurriedly helped organize it. His expression could no longer remain calm. Three or two years ago, when facing the young Liu Chengyou, Guo Rong had always been able to cope with it calmly. But now, facing the emperor who has entered his youth, he simply cannot do that. Not only is his status a plus. reason.
Liu Chengyou sat there, like a still pool, unfathomable.
"My lord, I have put your Majesty in a difficult situation!" In the end, it was Guo Rong who took the initiative to speak.
Liu Chengyou waved his hand: "I'm not here to listen to your explanation today!
There is no need to mention more about the Puzhou matter. I already understand what I want to know, and there is no need to understand what I don’t want to know. "
"You have a bit of an old look on your face. As I noticed, you worked hard in Chanzhou to manage state affairs. No wonder you have a good reputation!" Liu Chengyou's eyes fell on Guo Rong's face, observing his expression.
Guo Rong sighed slightly: "You are not as old as your Majesty!"
When Liu Chengyou came to prison, he did not let Zhang Dejun accompany him. Instead, he asked Zhang Yongde to wait on him and waved to him. Seeing this, Zhang Yongde immediately opened the food box in his hand, put a few dishes on it, and poured out the wine.
This was probably the first time relatives of the Guo family saw Guo Rong after he arrived in Beijing. Zhang Yongde and Guo Rong just looked at each other without saying a word, and took the initiative to stand guard at the cell door.
"I brought some food and wine." Liu Chengyou raised his glass, and Guo Rong, who held the glass with both hands, clinked it and said in a relaxed tone: "I haven't had a drink with you for a long time. There is something interesting in this prison cell."
"I thank your Majesty for your hospitality." Guo Rong said.
Turning his attention to the put away papers, Liu Chengyou picked them up and browsed them, and asked casually: "What did you write?"
Guo Rong took the initiative to pour wine for Liu Chengyou and replied: "These are some of my opinions and summaries of governance in Chanzhou, which may be used as a reference for future generations. There are also some discussions on the way to govern."
"Even the succession has been considered!" Liu Chengyou raised his eyelids and glanced at Guo Rong: "But this way of doing politics is quite in line with the current situation and national conditions."
"Guo Rong is Guo Rong, and his life in prison has not been wasted!"
"Your Majesty is so complimentary."
"Zhenning Army, I originally planned to abolish Jiedu, but considering that it is an important town on the Yellow River and the gateway to the capital, it is inconvenient to abolish it lightly." After two more sips of wine, Liu Chengyou's face became a little more relaxed, and he said: "However, I plan to abolish all the towns and counties in the next two or three years, starting with the Zhenning Army. Taking advantage of this turmoil, Puzhou will be separated. The imperial court will directly dispatch governors, transfer envoys, and garrison envoys to control the army. State affairs!”
"Does Guo Qing have a candidate who knows Puzhou?" Liu Chengyou looked at Guo Rong and asked.
Upon hearing the question, Guo Rong was inevitably surprised: "Your Majesty asked me to recommend it?"
"I believe in your vision." Liu Chengyou nodded: "Ma Renyu and Pan Mei, who you recommended to the Forbidden Army before, are rare talents. Ma Renyu and Kongwu have entered my Fengchen camp, and Pan Mei , I see that he is even more talented as a commander!"
Facing Liu Chengyou's gaze, Guo Rong lowered his gaze and cupped his hands: "Rong Chen, think about it."
After saying that, he really fell into deep thought. Of course, Guo Rong was not thinking about the person to recommend, but wondering whether the emperor had other intentions. However, I really can't think of a reason, but one thing is certain, the Puzhou incident has definitely passed.
Without letting Liu Chengyou wait too long, Guo Rong said: "Lü Yin, named Yuqing, is from Youzhou and the son of Lu Qi, the former minister of the Ministry of War. Although he is young, he is sensible and righteous, and has the talent for political affairs. I am in Chanzhou. Appoint him as the assistant minister of Jiedu. If your Majesty had not known Puzhou because of his youth, he would have been within his ability."
"Then this is the person!" Liu Chengyou made the decision without thinking, flipping up his sleeves.
Of course, he came to see Guo Rong not just to treat him to a drink. Liu Chengyou stood up and pointed before leaving: "It is not a pity to die for Zhang Jianxiong! However, after all, he is the envoy of Hanzhou and has been appointed by the imperial court. Zhenning Army, please wait." No, I won’t keep you in Tokyo, go to Xuzhou!”
After saying the next word, Liu Chengyou left with his hands behind his back.
Guo Rong thought for a while, then prostrated himself: "Thank you, Your Majesty! I send you off to Your Majesty!"
