After listening to Liu Chengyou's words, the youth captain Zhao Kuo's face showed his deep feelings, and he sighed: "Your Majesty, I am dissatisfied. After my father died, my mother became a servant and worked as a cow and horse to support the four young brothers and sisters. In the early years, , the family is poor, there is no land, half a courtyard wall, and only food to survive.
It was not until later that the government provided relief and distributed grain seeds, and the village organized reclamation and re-cultivation. The family got a few acres of thin farmland, and then we had some hope. Even so, the old mother farmed during the day and weaved at night, working hard day and night, which was extremely heavy.
When the little boy grew up, he felt that his mother was suffering, so he enlisted in the army to earn more money and food to support the family. The young man was lucky. He participated in the suppression of bandits and the defense of the Khitans. After several battles, he did not lose his life. Instead, he was promoted and became the captain.
In the past few years, my younger siblings have grown up and are able to help the family and share the hard work of their mother. Three years ago, when I returned home, the newly appointed magistrate Lu allocated 30 acres of land to my family. Adding in my military merits and salary, my family had a total of nearly 100 acres of land, including fertile land. There are only twenty acres, and now two brothers are farming..."
When talking about things at home, Zhao Kuo talked endlessly, with a smile on his face, and he looked much cheerful.
After listening to his statement, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but say: "Your mother, it is not easy to raise four of you brothers and sisters! Fortunately, now the pain is over!"
Zhao Kuo nodded seriously, and then he came to his senses and said with a little fear: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for being rude, for blaming your Majesty on trivial matters at home!"
"No!" Liu Chengyou smiled slightly, with a very tolerant attitude: "I think what you said is very good and sincere, and I also like to hear it!"
"As you said, you haven't been home for three years?" Liu Chengyou asked.
Captain Zhao Kuo responded: "Yes! However, thanks to His Majesty's blessing, the post road is smooth, and there are letters exchanged with the family. Everything is fine! Apart from the fact that my mother's health is worrying, I feel relieved!"
"Did you hear that? The envoy has no worries, and then he can guard the city with peace of mind!" Liu Chengyou tilted his head and said to An Shenqi and Luo Yanxuan.
"Your Majesty understands the hearts of scholars, and what he said is true!" they both said in unison.
Liu Chengyou looked at Zhao Kuo and continued to ask, with a hint of curiosity in his tone: "I see that your words are unusually bold. Have you read any books?"
Zhao Kuo replied: "In the past few years in the army, I have studied with Xuanwei Lang and know some words."
"Oh?" Liu Chengyou became interested and said, "What do the imperial ambassadors usually tell you?"
"That's a lot!" Zhao Kuo said with sincerity.
"I can tell you a few words."
"The imperial court's policy and His Majesty's kindness and majesty!"
"Haha. How do they promote me?" Liu Chengyou's tone became more friendly.
Zhao Kuo said: "Xuanwei Lang often said that your majesty is a hero who is rarely seen in a thousand years. He is a hero favored by heaven and comes to save the people of the world. Under the leadership of your majesty, the people of the world can live a good life... ..."
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou didn't react at all. Luo Yanxuan couldn't help but cast admiring glances at the little team leader. He was really good at talking and had potential, almost comparable to him.
"but......"
"But what? If you have something to say, you can speak up without any scruples!" Liu Chengyou said.
"Brothers, I prefer to hear all kinds of stories told by Xuanwei Lang!" Zhao Kuo slightly hesitated.
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou chuckled and said, "This is human nature, and I also like to hear it!"
"Your Majesty also likes to hear stories!"
"That's natural!" Liu Chengyou laughed happily and said, "You listen in the army, and I listen in the capital. Those miscellaneous stories and legends are indeed much more interesting than praising me for being so wise and powerful! "
"How old are you?" Looking at the squad leader.
"Your Majesty, I am twenty-four this year!" Zhao Kuo replied.
"So, it has been six years since you joined the army at the age of 18!" Liu Chengyou sighed with emotion, then asked: "According to the Privy Council's decree, the Han army has three years of garrison duty. When you are transferred to the prefecture and county, what do you think?" do what?"
Upon hearing this, a look of longing flashed across Zhao Kuo's face.
"Say whatever comes to mind!"
Zhao Kuo chuckled: "Go home to visit my mother and get a wife by the way!"
"Not married yet?" Liu Chengyou was a little surprised.
"Failed to take care of it!"
"Then I wish you to marry a gentle and virtuous woman in the future!" Liu Chengyou said with a smile.
"Thank you for your wishes, Your Majesty!"
Turning around, Liu Chengyou ordered to Luo Yanxuan: "Let me know, after the shift is over, the officers and soldiers in the city will be given more food and wine!"
"yes!"
He led the people and continued to inspect Guancheng. Liu Chengyou seemed to be in a good mood. Thinking about the conversation just now, he sighed softly: "That captain is very good and very lucky..."
"It is a great honor for him to be personally cared for and cared for by His Majesty!" Luo Yanxuan said.
After hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou shook his head: "Maybe!"
The emperor's reaction confused Luo Yanxuan. The Queen Dafu next to her was thoughtful, thought for a while, and said, "The officials must have thought of other officers and soldiers guarding the soldiers!"
At this time, Liu Chengyou finally nodded: "There are many soldiers in the army like Zhao Kuo who don't know who they are. Their family background is similar to his, or worse. But how many people can be like him? , survive, perform meritorious service and get promoted, in order to improve the situation at home.
There may be many people like this person, but if you think about it, I am afraid that more people will die in the war, be injured in the battle, or simply die in a foreign country..."
"Your Majesty is so considerate and concerned about the suffering of the garrison soldiers. When the soldiers hear this, they will be extremely grateful and do their best to repay your kindness!" Luo Yanxuan said immediately.
"My condolences cannot just be verbal!" Almost without thinking, Liu Chengyou issued an instruction: "The generals should pay more attention to the sufferings and difficulties of the soldiers on the border. In addition, strengthen the strength of the military post to make it smooth for the soldiers. Information exchanges with family members. I should also issue an edict to all the states in the world. If the people go out to guard the borders, the government must give preferential treatment and help. Officials and villagers are not allowed to provoke and humiliate. If there is any violation, the family members can go directly to the state capital. And sue!"
Hearing what the emperor said, Luo Yanxuan's eyes lit up, while An Shenqi sighed: "If this information is reported to the entire army, how can the soldiers not be eager to follow suit?"
"I have also experienced battles. I have led troops and fought in battles. I also understand the suffering of soldiers! The soldiers left their homes and families to guard the borders for the country. I can only do these things. Let’s talk about taking care of you!” Liu Chengyou said.
It is undeniable that most of the reasons why Liu Chengyou did this was to win over the morale of the military, but from an emotional point of view, it was also done out of sincerity. As he said, he was an emperor who knew soldiers and had experienced battles. He had risen to prominence by training soldiers and horses in the Longqi Army.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Not paying any compliments to the general, he stood beside the strong woman, turning off the lights upstairs to cast his shadow on the wall, staring northward, seemingly deep. In fact, the surrounding area was pitch black, and the dim lights limited his field of vision to a very short distance, so nothing could be seen. However, no one around him dared to disturb him.
Of course, An Shenqi had some guesses about who the emperor was looking at when he supported the wall and looked north.
"An Qing!" Liu Chengyou suddenly called.
"I'm here! What are your orders, Your Majesty?" An Shenqi asked.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Liu Chengyou said leisurely: "As for the matter you mentioned during the day, don't mention it again, and don't let a third person know about it. In your heart, just pretend it never happened. You never said it, I haven’t heard of it either!”
When An Shenqi heard the words, he suddenly realized and understood how Liu Chengyou should interpret Liu Chengyou's request for An Shouzhong to take the imperial chariot to greet Zhao Kuangzan.
"Your Majesty has made up his mind?" An Shenqi asked, intending to confirm it.
"Well!" Liu Chengyou's calm tone was unquestionable: "The Han Dynasty's current strategy is still in the southern countries. In addition, the north, whether it is Northwest, Hedong, or Hebei, must try to ensure stability!"
"I understand!" Although there was a hint of unwillingness in his heart, An Shenqi still responded with his hands in hand to show his respect.
"An Qing will be in charge of the Northern Army from now on, and stability should still be the top priority!" Liu Chengyou emphasized again.
"yes!"
Turning around, Liu Chengyou's demeanor returned to calmness and calmness. His ears twitched. The noise in the city gate had still not subsided. Liu Chengyou said in an exploratory tone: "All the generals from the north are gathered here, especially the five. The military envoys are with us. You say, if an enemy comes in force from the south at this time, wouldn't our northern defense line be in danger?"
An Shenqi said: "Before issuing the order, I specifically warned that the generals have made proper arrangements for the defense of the garrison and issued martial law! The responsible generals will stay and guard the city, and they will also be assisted by the fortresses. Although there is no General, but the northern defense line is still impregnable. Even if there are hundreds of thousands of enemies, it cannot be broken through in a short time..."
"..."
