"Your Majesty, Sun Guangxian, comes to see you!"
Entering the main hall, Sun Guangxian knelt three times and kowtowed nine times until he reached the front of the emperor. His movements were precise, standard and in place, coupled with his almost pious expression, it was really pleasing to the heart.
Looking at the respectful Sun Guangxian, Liu Chengyou smiled, stretched out his hand and said: "Master Sun, please give me a seat!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Sun Guangxian was slightly happy for the kind attitude of the Han Emperor. Did he understand that in today's Han Dynasty, there are only a handful of officials who can sit down and question the emperor.
Sun Guangxian's trip to the north can be said to be a rapid trip. From Jiangling to Kaifeng, a journey of hundreds of miles, it took only six days, rotating carriages and horses along the way, and his old arms were so weak that they were almost scattered. Even after resting in Tokyo for a night, his forehead and forehead were still showing signs of fatigue.
Looking at Sun Guangxian, Liu Chengyou smiled and said: "Mr. Sun, we haven't seen each other for many years! It seems that he still has the same style!"
"It's rare that Your Majesty still remembers me, I'm so grateful!" Sun Guangxian responded, seeming to be really touched.
Liu Chengyou casually sorted out several memorials on the imperial case, glanced at Sun Guangxian, and said quietly: "The situation in Jinghu is tense now, and a war may break out. Mr. Sun is the pillar of Jingnan, so why did he travel thousands of miles north to Tokyo?"
Liu Chengyou obviously asked knowingly, but Sun Guangxian also cooperated and said with cupped hands: "Back to your majesty! I am here on the order of King Nanping to discuss the matter of presenting soil and returning to the court."
"Oh?" Hearing this, Liu Chengyou seemed to be a little interested, but his mediocre reaction made Sun Guangxian's heart skip a beat.
Seeing this, Sun Guangxian's attitude became more positive and said: "Your Majesty, since the Tang Dynasty, the world has collapsed. The three generations of the Gao family have been stationed in Jingnan to provide public security for the people. They are guarding it for the imperial court to prevent Xiaoxiao from taking advantage of it. Today's Han Dynasty Standing majestically in the Central Plains, His Majesty is an unparalleled lord, and he is willing to dominate the world. This is a matter of obeying the fate of heaven and being expected by the world. The King of Nanping was grateful for this and did not dare to go against the general trend. Now he is willing to offer the land of Jingnan to the imperial court. Please accept it, Your Majesty!"
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou smiled, looked at Sun Guangxian, and said playfully: "The King of Nanping was granted by the imperial court, and he was also the envoy of Jingnan under my command. The land of Jingnan was originally the land of the king and the subject of the Han Dynasty. If that's the case, how can we talk about contribution?"
"this......"
What Liu Chengyou said certainly makes sense. Compared to men like Meng Shu, Southern Tang, and Southern Han who proclaimed themselves emperors and founded their country, the Gao family in Jingnan has always maintained their status as a vassal, although they have occasionally been restless. What he did was just a childish act. After giving him a lesson, he knelt down and called him daddy. Of course, the location is awkward and there is almost no danger to defend. Facing the front line of the Central Plains troops, we have to be more obedient.
"Your Majesty is right!" Sun Guangxian's momentum weakened by two points, and he followed Liu Chengyou's words and said: "Jing Nanxiang is a vassal of the imperial court. The intention of King Nanping is to ask himself to cut down the vassal and return military affairs and the imperial court!"
Liu Chengyou was actually quite satisfied with Sun Guangxian's obedience. He glanced at a box he carried with him and asked, "What's in the box?"
After hearing the question, Sun Guangxian breathed a sigh of relief, stood up quickly, opened the box and took out several atlases, respectfully held them above his head and said: "Back to Your Majesty. These are the three prefectures, seventeen counties, and thirteen counties in Jingnan." Please ask Your Majesty to take a look at the registers and maps of 1,200 households!"
Obviously, this is what Liu Chengyou is more concerned about, and his movements are larger. Zhao Pu was at the driver's side, helping to spread it out and hold the album in his hand.
After looking at the map and flipping through the booklet, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh. Although Jingnan is a small area, only covering three states, the population density is indeed not low at present. As far as today's Han Dynasty is concerned, only a few states and counties in the Central Plains and Hebei have such a rich population.
Putting down the album, Liu Chengyou thought for a moment, put away his previous carelessness, became a little more serious, and said to Sun Guangxian: "Mr. Sun, I believe in the sincerity of King Nanping, but if there are no soldiers from the imperial court going south, I'm afraid he will You wouldn’t have such intentions!”
Hearing what Liu Chengyou said, Sun Guangxian's mood suddenly tightened, and he lamented in his heart, must His Majesty the Emperor scare the old minister like this? He bowed his hands and said: "Your Majesty, it is clear to you that the Gao family has guarded Jingnan for many years and has no ambitions. It is enough to just pray for peace. If the situation is like this today, the only way to achieve long-term peace is to obey the court and be loyal to Your Majesty. Yes. That’s why I’m going to make this trip!”
Liu Chengyou also said: "Since you are willing to surrender, why do you still defend Yingcheng when the imperial troops are moving south? Do you know that Zhou Ni in Hunan is reorganizing his army to fight, and his army is heading north to attack Liyang City. You can It’s said to be in danger! The military situation is urgent, and just because of the incident in Jingnan, the army’s movement has been delayed, thus affecting the situation of the Pingxiang war!”
Without waiting for Sun Guangxian to answer, Liu Chengyou said again, his tone becoming more severe: "Do you think I don't know Gao Baorong's thoughts? The intention of offering land is certainly true, but Sun Gong is here to put forward conditions for Gao Baorong! With Jiangling As a condition, ask me for remedial treatment, and if I don't agree, will you stick to Jiangling as a threat?"
"Your Majesty, I definitely don't have this intention!" Sun Guangxian immediately prostrated himself, sweating profusely, but it was obvious that his intentions were exposed.
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou's stern expression softened again, and he chuckled: "However, everyone has their own private thoughts, and I can understand King Nanping's concerns. The world has collapsed, but there are such evil and rebellious people like Zhou Xingmei. Having committed rebellion and caused people's hearts to fall to this point, it is very commendable that King Nanping has the initiative to contribute!"
"Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty is wise!" After hearing what Liu Chengyou said, Sun Guangxian hurriedly sang his praises, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"I have something else I want to tell you!" Liu Chengyou said again.
After hearing this, Sun Guangxian stopped thinking: "I am all ears!"
Liu Chengyou motioned towards Zhao Pu. Understanding, Zhao Pu looked at Sun Guangxian with a slight smile and explained: "Mr. Sun may not know yet, but one day before you arrived in Tokyo, the Privy Council received an urgent report of the camp in the south, and Murong Yanzhao deployed and led the army personally. After traveling south to Jiangling City, King Nanping has already opened the door and surrendered!"
"This, this..." Sun Guangxian's face was filled with astonishment. He was completely caught off guard. He could not have imagined that Jiangling City would fall so quickly. He came here to offer his land in a humble manner. In this way, there was no chance of bargaining with the imperial court.
If I had known this, why would I have bothered with such small thoughts, which would only make the court unhappy? If I simply surrendered, how could the emperor treat me so lightly? A touch of depression and bitterness gradually appeared on his face.
Seeing the change in his expression, Liu Chengyou said seriously: "Mr. Sun, I am very pleased that the King of Nanping surrendered his land to surrender. You can return to Jiangling and reply to him. Your title will be guaranteed and your salary will be doubled. Those who are talented among the Gao family will be included in the imperial court." Accepted. In addition, I have built several large houses by the Bian River, just waiting for the Gao family to move in! As for the Gao family's land, industry, and property in Jingnan, the court will not take any money, and they can be sold off!"
As he said that, Liu Chengyou's expression became a bit colder: "However, the Gao family's northward migration is the bottom line between me and the imperial court. Do you understand?"
After listening to the Han Emperor's words, Sun Guangxian sighed in his heart. There was still a big gap between the treatment Gao Baorong expected. According to Gao Baorong's idea, after donating the land, the Gao family should live in Jingnan forever, although this is a delusion. But obviously, the imperial court would not allow it, and the Gao family must be transplanted to strengthen its rule over Jingnan in the future.
Thinking of this, Sun Guangxian had no intention of continuing to fight for the Gao family. This was not considered a negotiation, but a pure defeat. Especially, Gao Baorong himself gave up his "trump card" in Jiangling.
Meeting Liu Chengyou's eyes, Sun Guangxian bowed and said, "I understand that after returning to Jiangling, I will tell the King of Nanping all about the grace of His Majesty and the court!"
"That's very good!" Liu Chengyou nodded and changed his tone: "However, I have other important matters to entrust you with, Mr. Sun returns to Jiangling!"
Sun Guangxian was slightly stunned when he heard this, but he soon realized something. His heart beat faster unconsciously, and he hurriedly said: "Please give me your Majesty's orders. I will do my best!"
"This time, King Nanping was able to take the initiative to donate land to the imperial court. I am very clear about Sun Gong's role and contribution in it!" Liu Chengyou said in a leisurely tone with a gentle attitude: "The imperial court wants to attack Zhou Ni in Hunan, and Jiangling is the rear food route. However, Jiangling At the beginning, all the affairs were complicated, and we still need talented people like Sun Gong who are familiar with the people's conditions and government affairs to take care of the affairs. I intend to set up Jiangling Mansion in Jingnan, and Sun Gongquan will be responsible for the affairs of Jiangling Mansion, to ensure the peace of the people, and to raise supplies for the army!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Sun Guangxian suddenly smiled and bowed his head: "I will live up to your Majesty's trust!"
Perhaps for Sun Guangxian, this appointment and arrangement by the Han Emperor was more worthy of joy. He is only in his fifties now and is still interested in an official career. If he can perform well during the initial surrender of Jingnan, he will be able to integrate into the Han court system more quickly.
Of course, for Liu Chengyou, using Sun Guangxian was only a temporary measure. In order to calm things down, as long as the situation in Jinghu was settled, he would be transferred to another post.
