"Official, Tang Dynasty envoy Zhong Mo wants to see you!" A respectful voice sounded in the Chongzheng Hall.
"Xuan!" Liu Chengyou was reading the arrangements for local officials in Sichuan and Sichuan at the imperial desk. Hearing this, Liu Chengyou responded casually.
After the chaos in Shu was put down, the land of Sichuan and Shu was still in a mess. However, after the chaos, great rule must be established. The old order was broken and a new rule was about to be established. Measures to correct the law and order, suppress thieves and calm the people were in progress in an orderly manner.
The political affairs hall decided that the old land of Sichuan and Shu would be divided into three areas. To the north of Jianzhou, the northern Shu prefectures and counties including Feng, Cheng, Jie and Ankang prefectures were set up with Shannan Road to govern Hanzhong Prefecture (Xingyuan Prefecture was renamed); to the south of Jianzhou, Jiannan Road was set up, including the Chengdu Plain and Sichuan Province. The southern states govern Chengdu Prefecture; the east of Suizhou and the west of Kuizhou include the southeastern Sichuan area, and Sichuan East Road is established to govern Chongqing Prefecture.
It was more in line with Liu Chengyou's idea. After deliberation, it was quickly passed. Liu Chengyou didn't have much opinion on the arrangement of Taoist officials proposed by the Political Affairs Hall. Song Yanwo, Bian Guangfan, and Wang Ming were divided into three chief envoys. , he has settled on the three people he likes, and there are no other big problems.
Needless to say, Song Yanwo was Liu Chengyou's brother-in-law, a relative of the emperor, with both civil and military skills, and was known as a guard; Bian Guangfan, the former prime minister, had restructured the farmland, resettled millions of people, and achieved outstanding political achievements; although Wang Ming was a fallen soldier He is a son, but he started from the local area and served successively in prefectures and counties. He is honest and capable, and has nearly 20 years of political experience. It is not inappropriate to be promoted from Xiangyang Prefecture to Taoist Government.
The Privy Council has also made arrangements for the garrison troops and horses, and has issued a notice that the northern troops and horses entering Shu will gradually withdraw northward. The original Shu soldiers were completely split. Some elites moved to Tokyo to make up for the losses of the imperial army; some were old and weak and were eliminated and returned to their hometowns to work as farmers; some moved north with their families to cultivate in the border areas; the rest were organized into Garrisoned troops for the local capital.
There is no intention to station a large army in Sichuan and Sichuan. According to the arrangement of the Privy Council, it will be gradually reduced. In the end, 20,000 troops will be left on Jiannan Road. In addition to guarding the basin, they will mainly suppress the barbarians and barbarians in southern Sichuan. There will be 6,000 troops on Shannan Road. Mainly guarding various dangerous passes and important passes; 10,000 people in eastern Sichuan are stationed in key areas of Kui and Chongqing and suppress the security of subordinate states and cities.
The army guarding Shu was mainly composed of Huaiwei Army, supplemented by a part of Guanzhong soldiers, and supplemented by recruited Shu soldiers. The two Han armies of Shu origin, the Huaiwei army, were dismissed, and the Huaide army and their families moved to Longxi to consolidate the 300 miles of land recovered by Wang Jing. Guo Jin was appointed as the military envoy. For generals like Guo Jin who are very murderous, the border is the best place for them to display their strengths and control the border areas.
When it comes to the three capitals of Sichuan and Sichuan, it is tentatively planned to be held by Wang Quanbin, Wang Renfan and Cui Yanjin. However, before that, the three of them still need to go back to Tokyo, and the rewards and punishments of the Sichuan-Shu Rebellion still need to be summarized.
While Liu Chengyou was conducting in-depth and comprehensive consideration on the affairs of Sichuan and Shu, Zhong Mo had already entered the palace. The familiar environment, coupled with the Han emperor who was sitting idle at the imperial court, left a deep impression on him. Zhong Mo stepped forward and bowed prostrate: "Your Majesty, Zhong Mo!"
Putting down the charter in his hand, Liu Chengyou raised his eyes and looked at Zhong Mo. He was well-groomed, with a delicate mustache and etiquette in place. He was probably much more sincere than paying homage to Li Jing.
During these days, Liu Chengyou took time alone to meet with all the countries, ethnic groups and forces coming to Tokyo to attend the ceremony. The Liao Kingdom, Wuyue, and Nanyue, including the Qingyuan Army of Quan and Zhang, the Dingnan Army of Xia and Sui, the Guiyi Army of Gua and Sha, as well as Yanzhou, Liangzhou, and other foreign ethnic groups such as the Uighurs, Tubos, and Dali, well, there are also There are envoys from Korea coming from the sea. Basically, all the internal and external countries and forces involved with the Han Dynasty had exchanges with each other, just like a unified establishment of diplomatic relations.
As for why Southern Tang was left at the end, there is obviously a deeper meaning.
"Without any courtesy!" Liu Chengyou raised a formulaic smile at the corner of his mouth, stretched out his hand and said: "Zhong Shangshu, we haven't seen each other for almost six years!"
"Your Majesty has a keen memory!" Zhong Mo stood up and responded respectfully: "I returned to Jinling in the summer of the fifth year of Qianyou's reign. It has indeed been almost six years ago!"
"I would also like to congratulate Zhong Shangshu. After returning to Jinling, he was highly valued and rose to prominence, full of glory!" Liu Chengyou said.
"I always remember your majesty's kindness and kindness. I will remember it forever. When I am in Jinling, every festival, I burn incense and bathe, pray to the north, and bless your majesty and the great man. I dare not forget your majesty's kindness to me. ....." Zhong Mo made a heartfelt confession.
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou laughed very happily and said bluntly: "With a loyal and good minister like Zhong Qing, why should I worry about the injustice in the south of the Yangtze River?"
In these years, while serving as a high-ranking official in the Southern Tang Dynasty, my heart was towards the Han Dynasty, and I sent a large amount of internal information to the north every year. The Northern Han Dynasty was well aware of the military and political situation of the Southern Tang Dynasty. In addition to the intelligence network built over ten years, Zhong Mo made the greatest contribution.
Moreover, immersed in the atmosphere of Jinling, Zhong Mo also gathered a group of like-minded relatives and friends under the name of "Poetry Club" and became a surrender faction under the peace negotiation faction. As the world situation became clearer, the national power declined. As time goes by, its influence is expanding day by day.
It can be said with certainty that as long as the Han army conquers Jinling, Zhong Mo and others will be enough to organize a new ruling order. Of course, it may not be what Liu Chengyou wants. You can refer to the reasons for the chaos in Shu...
The Han Emperor's words were full of ambitions for the territory south of the Yangtze River. After hearing this, Zhong Mo didn't feel the slightest discomfort and immediately said: "Your Majesty has planned to conquer the south?"
"It's a matter of time!" Liu Chengyou didn't hide it, and raised his hand slightly arrogantly: "Since Sichuan and Sichuan are at peace, we just need to recuperate the troops, collect food and weapons, how can the small country in the south of the Yangtze River be able to sharpen the army?"
"The people of the south of the Yangtze River have been longing for Master Wang for several years. If they can do this, I will go to Jinling and wait eagerly for Master Wang to cross the river!" Zhong Mo said with a righteous look on his face.
Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou said: "I have a secret report. At the turn of winter and spring, Jinling is experiencing turbulent times, but the waves are not big! I am free. As someone who knows the matter, you can tell me and just listen to the story. !”
"Yes!" Zhong Mo bowed.
"Sit down and talk!" Seeing that he was still standing respectfully, Liu Chengyou said again.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After sitting down, Zhong Mo recounted the political turmoil that occurred in the Southern Tang Dynasty last month: "On December 14 last year, Duke Li Jingsui of Jin was assassinated in Hongzhou. The news reached Jinling, and the whole hall was shocked. The king was extremely sad. , almost fainted, and at the same time as mourning, he also ordered a thorough investigation. And soon the object of suspicion was placed on the prince Li Hongji, and his close relatives were detained. After interrogation, they found out that he had secretly given the intention to kill his uncle.
The king of the country was furious when he heard about it and imprisoned him in the East Palace. After the evidence was confirmed, he sacrificed him in the Gao Zongmiao Temple. Because of his cruelty and rebelliousness, he deposed him as the crown prince and locked him up in his old residence..."
"Li Jing didn't report to the court about deposing the crown prince, so he just took matters into his own hands!" Liu Chengyou muttered, seeming to be considering whether this excuse was suitable for attacking the Tang Dynasty.
Zhong Moze said: "The close relatives of the children are killing each other. The king is in grief and grief, so he failed to take into account the etiquette!"
"I heard that Li Jingsui was quite famous, had a gentle temperament, and took the initiative to retreat. How could Li Hongji dare to kill his uncle?" Liu Chengyou asked.
Zhong Mo sighed: "I thought that because of my high reputation and popular support, I was shown as a threat, which is why I was in trouble. I, Li Hongji, was a jealous man, strong and narrow-minded, short-sighted and short-sighted, so I had the heart to kill my uncle cruelly." , and do it brazenly!"
"Li Hongji's reputation is not small!" Liu Chengyou said playfully: "In these years, haven't you been tinkering with leading the northern expedition to regain his homeland?"
"I don't know the heavens, but I'm talking nonsense!" Zhong Mo shook his head and said: "However, Li Hongji is indeed one of the few people in the clan who knows how to fight, and he also has a certain prestige in the army. He was deposed and resisted Jiangnan. The attitude of the army is a big blow!”
Nodding, Liu Chengyou suddenly asked with great interest: "If Li Hongji is deposed, who will Li Jing be his heir?"
Zhong Mo responded: "From Li Hongji down, all the princes of the country died young, and the oldest one was only Chu Gong Li Congjia. However, I look at his people, their weapons are light and their ambitions are unrestrained. No one has the virtue of a king, and even less honors them." Your talents are not enough to bear the weight of the country, let alone become the enemy of the Han Dynasty!"
Liu Chengyou smiled a little, knowing that Zhong Mo was talking about the "eternal Ci Emperor".
"Hmph!" After snorting twice, Liu Chengyou said calmly: "Even if it's Li Hongji, what can he do? Can he turn the world around?"
"Your majesty is extremely arrogant, and what he said is right! The general trend of the world is beyond human power, let alone a short talent?" Zhong Mo complimented.
Paying attention to the emperor's dull expression, Zhong Mo continued to describe the subsequent situation: "After this great change, the king was so sad, so sad, and in poor health that he could not even have a banquet. He took refuge in the palace and entrusted all state affairs to Feng Yansi. Brothers and other ministers."
"I heard that Han Xizai was dismissed from office?" Liu Chengyou chuckled.
"Exactly!" Zhong Mo reported: "Feng Yansi and others impeached Han Xizai because he had frequent contacts with the deposed prince. The king accepted the impeachment letter and dismissed him from office, retaining only his salary. Now, Jinling's state affairs are all under control. Because of the Feng brothers, Han Xizai's reform policy was greatly rectified and abolished. Xu Xuan, Mao Wenxi and other ministers were suppressed, resulting in political turmoil and people's livelihood unrest..."
"This Han Xizai is so pitiful and pathetic!" Liu Chengyou expressed emotion from the perspective of an outsider.
"Han Gong seems to have lost his heart and ambition after being hit by this. Before I left Jinling, I heard that he lived in the mansion all day long, feasting and having fun, playing and singing every night..." Zhong Mo said.
Smiling, Liu Chengyou looked at Zhong Mo and said to him: "I have gained a lot from what Zhong Qing said. I also understand your loyalty to me and the big man. I can stay in Tokyo for a few more days. Let’s go back and do as we always have after returning south! I will definitely live up to my expectations in the future!”
"Yes!" Zhong Mo looked happy, stood up and prostrated.
"In addition, I ordered people to prepare some supplements. Then you can take them back and give them to Li Jing as my return gift!" Liu Chengyou said. Well, a few supplements can be exchanged for a car and a ship full of gold and silver. This transaction is worth it.
"By the way, I would like to express my condolences to him and hope he takes care of himself!" After a pause, Liu Chengyou said playfully: "I hope I can see him again in my lifetime..."
"As you command!"
After thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou's expression suddenly became serious and he said leisurely: "Does Zhong Qing know about the Sichuan-Sichuan Rebellion?"
"I heard something!" Zhong Mo was a little puzzled.
Liu Chengyou said: "I heard that you contacted some Jinling dignitaries and officials from the Xiang Han Dynasty, which is a good thing. However, I hope you can think more about the Sichuan-Shu Rebellion, and just take it as my warning... ..."
