For Wang Yan, moving to Xijing and staying behind was an unexpected revival of his official career and a new lease of life. During the political turmoil two years ago, in order to protect themselves, he acted excessively, which offended the emperor.
In the end, although under Zhao Hui's adjustment, the matter was resolved peacefully, the emperor did not pursue any further investigation, and Wang Jingchong also died at the hands of the jailer. However, for Wang Yan, it was still a huge setback in his military and political career. He lost the Jiedu of Jinzhou, and his title was reduced to Marquis of Teng. He only received the false title of General Zuoyu Linwei, without any real power, and rested in Tokyo. Fertility.
Of course, two years of reflection also allowed Wang Yan to fully recall how he had violated the taboo in the first place. No matter how rampant Wang Jingchong is, he is an envoy of the emperor. If he dares to mobilize troops to surround Guanyi and monitor Wude camp, it is a serious crime. In serious terms, it is treason.
Originally, Wang Yan thought that this would be the end of his old age, living in Tokyo and living in mediocrity until he died. After all, he is already sixty-five years old, not young, and has a criminal record. The emperor likes to use his prime years, and most of the people occupying the court today are "young people" like Fan Zhi, Wei Renpu, and Xue Juzheng.
However, a letter of appointment interrupted his freedom of teasing his grandson. Before coming to Luoyang from the west to take office, the emperor summoned Wang Yan to the palace to have a meal together. Judging from Liu Chengyou's words, he was appointed for the purpose of appeasing people.
Looking at the world of the Han Dynasty today, vassal towns have ended, Jiedu has been eliminated, and people have been dismissed one after another by the court and taken back power. However, there are only a few people who can endure their duties and stay in the central and local governments.
Fu Yanqing and Zhe Congruan are incomparable. They are relatives of the emperor and have people in the harem. Those who hold real power like Guo Wei, An Shenqi, Wang Jing, and Yao Yuanfu belong to the minority. Most of them are like Wang Yan, who are either given a false title or directly given some money, silk, silk, and millet to support them.
Therefore, there was a lot of resentment among the officials of the Han Dynasty. Of course, using Wang Yan is far from resolving grievances, it just shows an attitude.
Furthermore, the country also needs some old ministers and veteran generals, and Liu Chengyou knows this very well. In terms of the appointment of veteran ministers such as Guo Wei, An Shenqi, Yao Yuanfu and Shi Hongzhao, regardless of military and political affairs, the results were very good.
When considering Wang Yan this time, it turned out that the old ministers and generals of the Han Dynasty had withered too much in the past two years. In just seven years of Qianyou's reign, He Fujin and Feng Dao died, and all the capable and prestigious generals such as Ruan, Shi Kuangyi, Zhao Hui, and Liu Ci fell ill.
In comparison, Wang Yan's body was very strong and he could eat meat, drink alcohol, ride horses and shoot arrows. In this way, Wang Yan, who had been living idle in Kaifeng for two years, was put into service.
Before leaving Beijing, Liu Chengyou gave Wang Yan some instructions, emphasizing Luoyang's status and asking him to govern well. There are three main points: developing agriculture and mulberry cultivation, clarifying and strengthening laws, and restraining the powerful. However, after arriving in Luoyang, I found that my predecessor Jingfan had already done a very good job, and there was not much room for him to develop. It was not his style to follow the rules of Xiao and Cao Sui...
Wang Yan was not surprised to learn that Hou Zhang and Xue Huairang came to visit him. After all, since arriving in Luo, the threshold of his stay-at-home residence has been almost broken.
After staring at the name card and thinking for a while, Wang Yan ordered: "Introduce the two of you to the garden hall in the back garden to serve tea!"
"yes!"
Then he stood up, breathed a heavy sigh, and moved to the back garden. The Xijing Left-behind Mansion is large in scale and has complete institutions. However, due to its former role as a scenery model, it lacks some of the official style and solemnity. Every place is old and has many damages and flaws that have not been repaired.
There is a legend among the people in Luoyang that when King Jingshi was in office, he repaired the city, built warehouses, dredged rivers, and dug irrigation canals, but he was reluctant to spend some money and food to renovate the government office.
As for Wang Yan, looking at those old brick and tile decorations, he was actually a little unhappy. Although he does not have extravagant style, he is also a "face-saving" person. Today's government offices cannot reflect the majesty of the government.
In the flower hall, as soon as the three of them met, they exchanged overly enthusiastic greetings. Hou Zhang kept his posture very low, with a smile on his face: "My lord, we haven't seen you for many years, but do you still recognize me?"
With a laugh, Wang Yan helped Hou Zhang to greet him and said, "Brother Hou is trying to hurt me! How can we forget the love we had in the past and the righteousness of raising an army?"
He met with Xue Huairang and bowed, and the three of them sat down. Speaking of which, when Zhao Hui, Wang Yan, and Hou Zhang rebelled against the Liao Dynasty, Hou Zhang was the boss, but their respective circumstances were completely different.
"We haven't seen him for many years, but Brother Hou is getting richer and richer. It's enviable to enjoy his wealth and status!" Wang Yan said, looking at Hou Zhang.
Hou Zhang laughed so hard that the fat on his face trembled. He touched his big belly and said, "I don't dare to talk about wealth, but I have gained a lot of fat on my body!"
"Brother Wang is still the same, his style is still the same!" Hou Zhang said with emotion.
"This time the prince is staying in Xijing. When we heard about it, we were all very happy and came to congratulate him!" Xue Huairang and Wang Yan were not familiar with each other, so they had to be polite.
Hearing this, Wang Yan sighed and said: "I am over sixty years old and should have been raised to rest until my death. Fortunately, Your Majesty valued me and entrusted me with Luoyang. I have a heavy responsibility on my shoulders. I am afraid that I will betray your Majesty's trust and hurt Luoyang." The soldiers and the people are in good health!”
"Brother Wang is too modest. With your talent, even though Luoyang is big, it will be safe and orderly!" Hou Zhang said.
After sizing up Hou Zhang, Wang Yan, who had always been reserved, finally took the initiative to ask: "Brother Hou, how have you been these years? Judging from your clothes and demeanor, I know you are rich!"
Hou Zhang waved his hands repeatedly: "There are so many rich people in Luoyang! In terms of business, they can't compare with those merchants. Although I have bought some properties, I can only support my family!"
"Brother Hou's words are called too modest!" Wang Yan laughed and said, inviting the two of them to drink tea.
Hou Zhang said, "The tea is very light. What can I drink? Can I get a glass of wine from my house?"
"Why not!" Wang Yan raised his eyebrows, waved his hand, and ordered: "Come here, prepare a banquet!"
It didn't take long, the banquet table was set up, the ingredients for wine and wine were put on the table, a few domestic prostitutes were waiting beside them, grilling meat and pouring wine, and the atmosphere became more harmonious. After toasting each other for a few drinks, Hou Zhang couldn't help but sigh: "Back in Shaanzhou, the three of us killed the Liao generals, raised the flag of rebellion, drank wine together, and ate meat together. Those days are still vivid in my mind!"
Most of the time, Wang Yan was sentimental. Hearing his words, Wang Yan was touched. With a smile on his face, he took the initiative to toast.
When the atmosphere was almost over, Xue Huairang greeted him, stood up, took a beautiful wooden coffin from the servant, and handed it to Wang Yan himself.
Seeing this, Wang Yan's brows suddenly condensed: "What does this mean?"
After drinking some wine, Xue Huairang said with a carefree smile: "I heard that the prince is getting stronger and has a new concubine. I didn't have time to congratulate you. This pair of jade ornaments should be regarded as a congratulatory gift. I hope you will accept it!"
Opening the wooden box, I saw a pair of crystal-colored dragon and phoenix jade pendants, with several smart yellow lines between the carvings. They were obviously of the highest quality.
That's right, even though Wang Yan is almost sixty-five, he still has a gun, mounts a horse, and rides on the couch. Before being ordered to come to Luoyang, he married another concubine, a singer from the south of the Yangtze River.
However, when he heard Xue Huairang say this and give gifts in this matter, Wang Yan felt unhappy and felt a little worried on his face. He smiled reservedly and said calmly: "I appreciate this kind intention, but I am new to Luoyang and I really don't dare to accept this gift!"
Being rejected by Wang Yan, Xue Huairang suddenly became unhappy. The smile on his face solidified, and a flash of anger flashed in his eyes. I was not a good-tempered person, but now I was holding the gift box and felt even more embarrassed, and I had the urge to smash it.
Upon seeing this, Hou Zhang got up and stepped forward, comforted Xue Huairang, and said to Wang Yan: "I got a new horse a few days ago, which is quite strong. I will accompany you today. Is Brother Wang interested in appreciating it?"
After listening to Hou Zhang's words, either to give face or because he was really interested, Wang Yan accepted the offer. The three of them got up and headed to the stable of the government office.
Under the winter sun, there were many sentries standing beside the racecourse. Hou Zhang and Xue Huairang stood on the edge, watching Wang Yan galloping on his horse.
Wang Yan was really happy to see the hunting spirit, and he was a little excited when he saw the BMW and the good horse. He put on the harness, put on the strong clothes, and took advantage of the wine to run in the field.
After more than ten laps, I dismounted and landed, with excitement still on my old face. Hou Zhang greeted him and asked, "How is it?"
"What a horse!" Wang Yan said with emotion, stroking the horse's mane lovingly.
"The BMW is a gift to a hero. The prince is a hero of the world, why don't you accept it?" Hou Zhang said.
In fact, when Hou Zhang suggested horse appraisal, Wang Yan understood what he meant. When he heard what he said, looking at the pure-colored snow pony, a hint of emotion flashed in his eyes.
However, after hesitating, he still sighed: "I dare not call you a hero, and there is no place to use it now. Only when such a good horse can gallop on the battlefield can it display its effectiveness and show its style. It is a pity to stay here with me." .Brother Hou should find another hero and give him a horse as a gift..."
