"Negotiating peace is indeed a good suggestion!" Noticing the confidence and cunning in Zhao Pu's eyes, Liu Chengyou also smiled: "However, since ancient times, there have always been losers begging for peace. Now we have swept across Qin Feng and captured Hanzhong. The front is pointed at the two rivers, and if we take the initiative to make peace, I'm afraid it will give Shu some unrealistic hopes!"
"Between the two countries, the situation of victory and defeat has reached this point, and there is no possibility of reversal. What's more, sending envoys can also dispel their delusions!" Zhao Pu said calmly.
"In this case, we need someone who has outstanding courage and insight, is smart in eloquence, can respond randomly, and can carry forward the power of our great Han Dynasty!" When Liu Chengyou spoke, he looked at Zhao Pu with a pair of shrewd eyes.
"I asked for orders to go to Shu, and I will definitely live up to my mission!" Seeing this, Zhao Pu raised his sleeves and bowed: "I also plan to go and see for myself the military affairs and people's conditions in Shu. The previous policy of chaos in Shu was carried out by me. I want to see the effect..."
Seeing his statement, Liu Chengyou was obviously very satisfied. He pointed up and said: "If you are interested, go to Chengdu with the court for me. I have the intention to stop the army and am not in a hurry to destroy Shu. On this basis, you You can discuss it with confidence. I entrust you with full power to serve as a vassal and pay tribute. I will not force you, but if you can get some money and food from the negotiation, it can also make up for my expenses in conquering Shu.
As for the task of exploring its truth and secrets, I will instruct my subordinates in the Wude Department and the Military Intelligence Department of Shu to fully cooperate with you! "
"Yes!" Hearing this, Zhao Pudun looked excited, his bright eyes revealed his majesty, and he was already thinking about how to make Shu meritorious.
He stood up again and stood under the map of the Han Dynasty in the palace. This map was newly made and the four states of Qin and Feng were clearly visible on it. However, it is now outdated again, but this time, Liu Chengyou is not in a hurry to change the picture.
Liu Chengyou's eyes changed between the two places, Liangchuan and Jinghu. The direction of his eyes was basically the future strategic direction. And Liu Chengyou has been paying attention to Jingnan, the small but important area marking the Gao family for a long time.
As his thoughts drifted back, Liu Chengyou suddenly turned his head, looked at Zhang Dejun, and ordered: "Go, send someone to summon Nahe Xianjian into the palace!"
"yes!"
...
He Jianshi, the original stone Jin Xiongwu Jiedu envoy, Qin Feng surrendered to Shu in the twelfth year of Tianfu (947), and was defeated and returned to the Han in the fifth year of Qianyou (952). Two years ago, he was escorted into Tokyo along with some prisoners. Liu Chengyou met him and sent him to live in Kaifeng City.
However, he was still a high-ranking general after all, so he was not insulted, and of course he was not overly polite. For more than two years, He Jianjian has been staying in Kaifeng in a low-key manner. He sold some jades and gems he had with him and bought a small house in the outer city.
For a demoted general, He Xianjian's life was not easy. Living in Kaifeng was not easy. He had to undergo inspections from time to time. He also had no income. He was slowly struggling to make ends meet.
For a period of time, he was blackmailed by market scoundrels. Up to now, the gorgeous brocade clothes on his body have been replaced by ordinary linen clothes, and he no longer has any accessories around him. If it weren't for the occasional support from a few old troops who were incorporated into the White Army, he would have been unable to survive long ago.
However, after Huaide's army was transferred to the Southwest Army to fight, it became more difficult for He Xianjian to survive in Kaifeng. Nowadays, he only has a middle-aged widow whom he married when he first came to stay with him. Having fallen into such a state of poverty, he still has one person who never leaves him, which is considered a great blessing among misfortunes.
Seeing that the family is becoming more and more constrained, and it is difficult to even provide winter clothing and heating materials, and instead has to rely on the hard work of a woman to provide for him, it is very hurtful to He Jian's self-esteem.
In the evening, the winter wind became colder and colder. The shabby little door was slowly opened, and a woman walked in, holding something in her arms and covering it tightly.
"Husband!" the woman called softly.
Hearing the sound, He Zhanjian opened the door and welcomed her in. Inside the house, it was equally cold, but there was less wind. The woman took out the oil paper package from her arms and said to He Jianjian: "Wait a moment, I bought some cakes and went to make some porridge..."
He Jianjian found this woman. She was very ordinary in appearance. Compared with his previous wives and concubines, she was even more ordinary. However, she was hardworking, simple and strong, which was very touching. She was also an unfortunate woman. Her husband died in a military disaster, and of her two sons, one died in the Huainan battlefield and the other died of illness. Rebuilding with He is like two lonely and lost people, brought together by fate.
It smells like shit. After Kaifeng was built, there were higher requirements for urban sanitation. And this woman has a lowly career and goes to defecate outside the city every morning and evening...
Looking at the woman with disheveled hair, thick voice, and tired face, He Jianjian sighed and said in a low mood: "Everyone has abandoned me, so why do you continue to stay with me?"
When he first came to Tokyo, He Jianjian was still surrounded by some close followers. However, as time went by, loyalty was no match for hunger, and one after another he left to make a living. Those who are caring can occasionally help, but those who are ruthless and unjust will have no contact with them. Of course, there are even worse things than rebuilding.
In fact, if it hadn't been for the internal and external management of the woman in front of him, how could he have survived until now by rebuilding his little family fortune after the surrender.
After listening to his words, the woman asked, "Husband, are you going to drive me away again?"
Facing those eyes filled with bitterness and suffering, and noticing the frostbite and chapped hands that were hard to hide, He Jianjian couldn't help but reveal a trace of sadness, and sighed: "Sell this house!"
Hearing this, the woman was very serious: "Then we no longer have shelter from the wind and rain!"
Obviously refusing, with a flash of hesitation on his face, He Zhanjian finally said: "That's all, later, I'll go with you!"
Finally, a look of relief appeared on the woman's face, and she smiled at him: "Okay!"
"Who would have thought that I, He Jianjian, was once glorious for a while, guarding a place, but when I got old, I was reduced to making a living..." He Jianjian said in a low voice.
When the officials came to summon them, the old couple cuddled together to keep warm and had dinner. When he learned that it was the emperor who had summoned him, He Xianjian couldn't help but be overjoyed. He didn't care much about it. He quickly sorted out his slovenly appearance, put on a suit of clothes that were barely dry, said something, and followed the official to the government office, where he entered together with the chamberlain. See you in the palace.
The sudden summons made He Xianjian conscious. Although he didn't know what the Han Emperor's purpose was, he had already made up his mind. If there was an opportunity, he would definitely seize it.
When he went to pay homage to the Han Emperor again, He Xianjian's face was full of reverence and he bowed to the ground.
Looking at He Xianjian, who was dressed in old linen clothes, the world could not hide his downfall. Liu Chengyou did not give him tea, but gave him wine. He probably knew his current situation and had been cold for a long time.
He Jianjian obviously hadn't drank for a long time. After thanking him, he poured himself a drink. After drinking several glasses of wine, his old face quickly became rosier. When he noticed the emperor's gaze, he came to his senses and said humbly: "I have lost my temper, please forgive me!"
"No problem!" Liu Chengyou smiled faintly, waved his hand and asked, "Mr. He has been in Tokyo for more than two years. What do you think?"
"Tokyo is rich, but it is difficult for ordinary people to live there!" He Jianjian's old eyes were full of complexity: "I regret my original choice even more!"
"Could it be that I didn't show you any favor, and Mr. He regretted surrendering to the big man?" Liu Chengyou said in a playful way.
Hearing this, He Jianjian suddenly showed nervousness on his face and shook his head: "What I regret is that when the Khitan invaded the Central Plains, I chose to surrender to Shu instead of waiting for the Han Dynasty. I regret even more that I acted as an accomplice to the Shu Kingdom and fought with the Han Dynasty. The big man is our enemy!”
He Jianjian's remorseful expression didn't seem to be fake, and his emotions were real. Liu Chengyou couldn't help but smile and looked at him: "Now that they are also my Han subjects, it's not too late!"
"Yes!" He Jianjian looked humble.
"Mr. He must be very curious as to why I suddenly summoned you!"
"Your Majesty, please give me your instructions."
"Might as well take a guess."
After pondering for a while, He Jianjian asked tentatively: "I heard that the Han Dynasty conquered Shu and won a great victory on the front. Is this related to this?"
"It seems that Mr. He lives in a shabby house, so he doesn't know anything about the world!" Nodding with some satisfaction, Liu Chengyou admitted directly and said, "That's right! Now the Han Dynasty has taken over Xingyuan Mansion!"
"Your family members and heirs are all in Nanzheng City. Meng Chang did not implicate them because of your surrender. Your son took the initiative to help the army stabilize public order after the city was broken..." Liu Chengyou said leisurely.
Hearing this, He Zhanjian suddenly showed a hint of excitement.
Facing his somewhat excited gaze, Liu Chengyou said succinctly: "In this battle, many Shu soldiers were captured before and after, and I intend to select the best of them and use them. Mr. He has been in the Shu army for many years and is familiar with its military conditions, so he is interested. To serve the great Han, organize and train troops, and attack two rivers in a day?"
"Swear to death in repayment!" Without any hesitation, He Jianjian stood up and prostrated.
How to rebuild at this time is as desperate as falling into the abyss, and he is extremely eager to change the status quo. Liu Chengyou and he hope that there is no need to make a choice at all.
