In the palace garden, the "whooshing" sound of arrows pierced the air, constantly irritating everyone's eardrums. Today the emperor's archery skills seemed to have been greatly improved. It was as if he had installed a crosshair. His arrows hit the target, and two of them even hit the bull's-eye. The eunuchs and guards waiting around him were both surprised and delighted. If It was not because of the rules, but they probably cheered.
After shooting all the arrows, Liu Chengyou still had the energy to pull an open string. Listening to the vibrato, he couldn't help but laugh a few times. Looking at the target full of bows and arrows twenty-five steps away, he couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth. It was obvious that he just missed the target, but he felt a sense of turning over in his heart.
However, if you move your eyes slightly, you can see another target, which is also full of arrows, but obviously densely surrounding the bullseye.
"Shi Qing's archery skills are as good as before!" Liu Chengyou put down his carved bow with a smile on his face.
The person who accompanied the emperor to practice archery was Zheng Guogong Shi Hongzhao. He was transferred back to Tokyo from his post in Lingzhou to recuperate due to an illness. At first, Liu Chengyou really thought for him whether he would not be able to survive. Facts have proved that he thought too much. Shi Hongzhao, the "evil man", was obviously hard-hearted, and he gradually recovered.
"I am old and my strength has declined! Your Majesty is the perfect shot!" Hearing this, Shi Hongzhao also laughed loudly and responded.
Perhaps many people would not have thought that Shi Dushuai, who was once vulgar, cruel, arrogant and rude, would now flatter him, although the flattery was not in place. However, this change is still refreshing.
"Shi Qing, there's no need to compliment me. How about my shooting skills? Haha, it's nothing to mention, haha..." Liu Chengyou was obviously in a good mood, but his tone was full of kindness.
Today, Shi Hongzhao is visibly older than he was then, with locks of gray on his temples. He has been guarding Hexi all year round. Under the wind and sand in the northwest, his old face with crisscrossed ravines is full of vicissitudes of life.
But looking at his energetic look and listening to his hearty laughter, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but feel even happier. When the monarch and his ministers returned to their seats, a chamberlain immediately handed them ice handkerchiefs and tea.
After wiping his sweat and taking two more sips of herbal tea, Liu Chengyou turned his head and said to Shi Hongzhao: "Shi Qing is now shooting with his bow, and the arrows are not missed. This shows that he is as brave as he was back then. It seems that his body is recovering well!"
Fifteen years ago, Liu Chengyou would never have imagined such a scene. He and Shi Hongzhao could sit together, legs crossed, and talk in a relaxed atmosphere. At the time, Liu Chengyou was disgusted and wary of Shi Hongzhao, and even thought of getting rid of him. It can only be said that times have changed and things are unpredictable.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Tokyo is a place that raises people. During these three years of rest, I have had good doctors and elixirs and no fatigue from official duties, so I am still in good health!" Shi Hongzhao said.
"In a blink of an eye, Shi Qing has returned to the court for three years!" Liu Chengyou nodded slightly, looked at Shi Hongzhao with a more relaxed attitude, and asked with a smile: "Shi Qing, after raising him for so long, you are still used to it. Bar?"
It must be said that after so many years, he has somewhat trained his eyesight and is obedient. When the emperor said this, Shi Hongzhao immediately became energetic, moved his shoulders, and responded: "To be honest with you, your Majesty, I have such a bone. I feel itchy and unbearable and want to move!"
"I have a place to go here, but I don't know if Shi Qing is willing to go there!" Liu Chengyou said after listening to his words.
Hearing this, Shi Hongzhao stood up directly, his eyes reflecting the bright light, and looked at Liu Chengyou curiously: "Please give me your Majesty's orders!"
Liu Chengyou also put away his smile and said: "In the past ten years since the recovery of Qinfeng, Wang Jing, the Duke of Baoguo, has been stationed in the western border and has continued to expand westward, regaining the old territory of the former Tang Dynasty, so that the banner of the Han Dynasty was once again planted in Lan and Liang. States. However, although the territory is vast, it is difficult to consolidate. There have been turmoils in recent years. It will take time to settle it down. Bao Guo is already old, and I cannot bear to let him still be guarding the border at such an advanced age. The pain..."
Speaking of this, Shi Hongzhao showed a duty-bound image and said with clasped fists: "Your Majesty, let me go! When I go to Qinzhou, I will make Xirong peaceful!"
Liu Chengyou was not surprised by Shi Hongzhao's request, and said: "I have the same idea. You have served in Hexi for many years. You know military affairs and military affairs, and your reputation is widely spread, which is enough to calm the people and town!"
The emperor's compliments are always more appreciated, especially for Shi Hongzhao, whose old face was full of smiles and almost wrinkled. He immediately said to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty, the people of Xirong have not obeyed the king for a long time and have not known the majesty of the heaven, so they have repeatedly offended. When I was in Lingzhou, I had steel swords in one hand and wine and meat in the other. After a few years, the Rong people will no longer Don't you dare to offend again..."
Shi Hongzhao's extremely simple security method was too forceful in approach, but it grasped the core and produced more benefits than disadvantages. However, the Longxi region was different from the Hexi region in that the forces were relatively scattered. When faced with the expansion of the Han Dynasty, most tribes and powerful people still chose to surrender.
Therefore, in the process of advancing westward, the Han Dynasty's policy was to be gentle rather than repressive. This has the advantage of expanding thousands of miles easily, but it is not stable. Especially when Wang Jing is getting older, Liu Chengyou wants to replace Wang Jing this time. In addition to Wang Jing's age and physical reasons, he also wants to replace him with a stronger person to consolidate his rule.
Among the Tubo people in Qinzhou, there was a tribe living in the original Fuqiang County. The leader was named Shang Boyu. During the process of Wang Jing's expansion to the west, he took the initiative to join the Fuqiang tribe and offered his homeland to the Fuqiang.
However, in recent years, there has been a restlessness due to the struggle for interests. The tribe's land is lush with vegetation, and they can make a lot of profits by cutting down the trees and selling the timber and plants. However, after the imperial court issued a logging restriction order, this conflict arose, which ultimately cut off the family's financial path.
"The mountains, forests, rivers and lakes belong to your Majesty. Your Majesty does not allow him to cut them down, but he still dares to disobey. After I leave, I will definitely teach this beast a lesson!" Shi Hongzhao said murderously.
"After all, I have cut off a way for them to make money. There are reasons for this. I can forgive them, but they must be punished for gathering people to cause chaos!" Liu Chengyou said.
Having said this, Liu Chengyou looked at Shi Hongzhao again and said: "My logging restriction order is not to completely prohibit logging, but to prohibit indiscriminate logging. My painstaking efforts, alas, that's all. Military issues will be left to Shi Qing. As for the rest, I will arrange for someone else to support you!"
"Yes!" Seeing that Liu Chengyou's interest suddenly dropped, Shi Hongzhao had no idea why, but he still responded respectfully.
In fact, for many people, the emperor's "cutting restriction order" for the Longyou area was a bit baffling, and many even raised objections. In their view, water, grass, and trees are a gift from God for people to use, and the Rong people rely on their benefits. If the imperial court imposes such a policy, it will inevitably lead to chaos. No, there is chaos, and Shang Boyu is just the biggest among them. of one.
As for Liu Chengyou, he has learned a lesson from this. Some policies, although they may be beneficial to the future, are actually inappropriate and inappropriate. There are even many Han people who make a profit from logging in Longxi. Some giant trees are excellent building materials and can be sold at a good price when transported to big cities.
But if Liu Chengyou is forced to cancel the restraining order under pressure, it will be impossible. However, the cost of protecting the water and soil environment in this era is really not small, and it will also give Liu Chengyou a headache.
"I worship you as the inspection envoy to Longxi to control the armies. I will prepare the book later!" Putting aside the distracting thoughts in his mind, Liu Chengyou looked at Shi Hongzhao and said to him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Shi Hongzhao hugged his fist hard and even knocked out some smoke and said, "When will I take office?"
"No hurry!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said, "Wait for someone to come to Beijing!"
"Who?" Shi Hongzhao was a little confused.
"Shi Dejun, the chief envoy of Hedong Province, returns to Beijing to report on his duties!" Liu Chengyou paid attention to Shi Hongzhao's expression and said softly.
Shi Hongzhao was a little shy at first, but then he came to his senses and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"You father and son haven't seen each other for some years. Let's take this opportunity to talk about our family ties!" Liu Chengyou said caringly: "I have to thank Shi Qing for training a capable minister for the big man!"
Shi Dejuan, the son of Shi Hongzhao, was an upright, knowledgeable, and upright man. He served in various positions, and his political abilities were also developed. He was promoted to a senior official, and his reputation has always been good. This time when he returns to the court, he should be put to another important use.
"It's a long way to go to Qinlong! Shi Qing, you should take care of yourself. Over the years, the old ministers have gradually withered away, and the heroes of the year have also passed away. Every time I think about this, I feel extremely sad!" Liu Chengyou said again! Suddenly he sighed, looking very emotional.
Seeing this, Shi Hongzhao was also deeply affected, with a look of reminiscence in his old eyes. He looked at the emperor, hesitated for a moment, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I have something to say, I don't know if it is appropriate to say it at this time!"
Seeing his cautious look, Liu Chengyou suddenly became interested, smiled slightly, and signaled: "Speak!"
Shi Hongzhao said: "There are still two veterans of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Jingwei and Weizhou..."
When he reminded him like this, Liu Chengyou certainly reacted, although his impression was already a little blurry. Somewhat surprisingly, Su Fengji and Yang Bin were still alive.
What was even more surprising was that Shi Hongzhao actually took the initiative to intercede for both of them. You know, in the chaotic political arena of the early Han Dynasty, most of the time, Shi Hongzhao, who held great power, extremely despised civil servants like Yang and Su.
The power of time is too powerful and can change too many people or things.
Perhaps to give Shi Hongzhao face, or perhaps out of nostalgia, Liu Chengyou asked someone to check two things, one was Yang Bin's situation, and the other was how many war horses Su Fengji had given to the court in the past ten years.
