Ezhou governs Jiangxia County, located on the left bank of the Yangtze River. Together with the Hanyang Army on the other side of the river, the location where the Han River flows into the Yangtze River is important. This place was later called Wuhan, roughly in Wuchang District. The place called Ezhou in later generations was a county under Ezhou, called Wuchang County.
Kaifeng Mansion was captured by the Jin Army, and after the Song Dynasty settled in the south of the Yangtze River, Ezhou became an important town in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, more important than Xiangyang on the front line. Heavy troops were stationed here and it was the center of the defense line in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River in the Song Dynasty. From then on, Ezhou took advantage of its geographical advantages to replace other cities in Hubei and became the center of this area. Of course, the name that future generations are familiar with is still Wuhan.
Returning to Chuzhou from Xiangyang, there were so many bandits in the Lianghuai area that it was impossible to go north. There are poplars in the Dongting Lake area, and you can't go south. Comparatively speaking, the safest route is through Ezhou.
It is located in the hinterland of Jianghan Plain, with numerous water networks and fertile land. After entering the Song Dynasty, after more than a hundred years of transformation, it has become a densely populated place. After Zongze died, the Kaifeng garrison fled south, and the Ezhou garrison changed like a revolving lantern. Ezhou is now occupied by Kong Yanzhou's army, which defeated Zhong Xiang last year.
Xu Fu and Gao Shi went south along the Han River and passed through the old territory. Crossed the Yangtze River in Hanyang County and arrived outside Ezhou City.
Seeing Kong Yanzhou in front of him dressed in military uniform, surrounded by soldiers with swords and spears, Xu Fu sighed: "This Kong Yanzhou is a murderer, so he is not easy to deal with. When we went to Xiangyang, he obstructed us in every possible way. Now that we are back, only I’m afraid it won’t be easy to get over.”
After saying that, he and Gao Shize rode forward together.
When they arrived not far in front of Kong Yanzhou's horse, Xu Fu and Gao Shi dismounted and saluted Kong Yanzhou together.
Kong Yanzhou did not dismount, and did not even return the favor. He said with a straight face: "Excuse me, will you be happy if you go to Xiangyang?"
Xu Fu said: "Wang Jieshuai treated me with great courtesy, but I have never suffered any grievances."
Kong Yanzhou stretched his neck and looked at the car behind Xu Fu, and said: "Wang Xiaolie occupies the land of ten states, and it is a prosperous place. He is the richest person in the world. When you came back from Xiangyang, Wang Xiaolie didn't come back with anything. A gift?"
Gao Shi said hurriedly: "General Manager, the gifts we brought were for Wang Jieshuai to pay tribute to the court. But they cannot be touched!"
Kong Yanzhou snorted coldly, without even looking at Gao Shize. He just said: "If you leave me, I will get the imperial decree and appoint me as the envoy of Qihuang Town. This great city of Ezhou has no one to guard it. In this appointment, I think the imperial court is quite negligent!"
Xu Fu said: "How can we, as ministers, discuss the imperial court's will?"
Kong Yanzhou looked at the car behind him again and said, "You have come a long way, so you should go into the city. I have prepared wine and food specially for you two. Don't say that when we get to Ezhou, the Sa family will ignore you!"
Xu Fu thanked him, pulled Gao Shize onto his horse, and followed Kong Yanzhou into the city.
When he arrived in front of the state government office, Kong Yanzhou dismounted. He said to the deputy general beside him: "You must take the gifts brought by the two envoys to the side courtyard and guard them carefully! If something goes wrong, you are the only one I will ask!"
The deputy general promised. He ordered his soldiers to take over the car brought by Xu Fu and the others.
Seeing that things were not going well, Xu Fu hurriedly went to Kong Yanzhou and cupped his hands and said: "General Manager, this is a gift from Xiangyang Festival Commander Wang Xiaolie to pay tribute to the court. It is so true that it cannot be touched at all! Knowing that we are going to Ezhou, the Commander-in-Chief also prepared some gifts and a gift. This letter is for the steward."
Kong Yanzhou's complexion improved after hearing that he had his own gift. He said to the deputy general: "You and Xu Jianyi's men will guard the car together. Be careful and don't make any mistakes!"
The deputy general took the order and went down with his subordinates.
Kong Yanzhou invited Xu Fu and Gao Shize into the government office, and before they could sit down, Kong Yanzhou opened Wang Xiaolie's letter.
There was nothing special about Wang Xiaolie's letter. He just said that the two envoys were going to pass through Ezhou and asked Kong Yanzhou to entertain them as much as possible. At the back, there is also a list of gifts. Kong Yanzhou looked at it and saw that there were no gold, silver or jewelry, and he felt a little unhappy at once.
Handing the letter in his hand to his trusted official, Kong Yanzhou said: "Guo Xuexue, see if there is anything valuable in it. Wang Xiaolie occupies a wealthy land, so he shouldn't be stingy."
Guo Xuexiu took the letter and read it carefully. Said: "Zhen Fu, the gifts here are of great value!"
Kong Yanzhou said: "I just took a look and there is no gold, silver or jewelry. How can it be valuable?"
The academic said: "Perhaps it's because Xiangyang doesn't produce gold and silver, so I took what I produced and gave it to Zhenfu. Look at this big car, it's all top quality. It costs 500 guan a piece in the market. I gave three dollars as a gift. Look at this glass mirror. It sells for 200 pieces on the market. I gave you ten as a gift. Also, the clocks made in Xiangyang are large and small, and the prices are not cheap. There is a big clock written inside. I remember correctly, it should be sold for 500 guan in the market. There are also three small watches worn on the body, each of which can be sold for as much as 100 guan. After rough calculation, this gift is worth at least 5,000 guan!"
"Oh, really?" Kong Yanzhou took the gift list over again and read it carefully. "Everyone says that Wang Xiaolie is a generous person, and he is indeed not a stingy person! We have never met each other, so he gave me five thousand guan, which is a rare commodity. He is a trustworthy person!"
Putting down the gift list, Kong Yanzhou looked at Xu Fu and said: "Wang Xiaolie is so generous, I think it will be a gift to the court. Is there a gift list here? Let me take a look and gain some insight."
Xu Fu said hurriedly: "How can others inspect the things that are submitted as tribute to the imperial court? Manager, this is not allowed!"
Kong Yanzhou sneered: "If you don't show me the gift list, I will send someone to check it in the car! If you don't check it clearly, how can you ensure that the gift is foolproof? If there is something missing, you will definitely rely on me in the future!"
Xu Fu sighed: "Manager, Wang Jieshuai has already given you a big gift, why bother us anymore?"
Kong Yanzhou said: "Wang Xiaolie gave me a gift because of his friendship with me. What does it have to do with you!"
After saying that, he sneered. Seeing that Xu Fu refused to hand over the gift list, he stopped urging him and just winked at Zhu on the side. General Na Zhu understood what he was thinking and left the official hall. Go find the deputy general and check Wang Xiaolie's tribute gift.
Tea was served. Kong Yanzhou said: "You two envoys have a cup of tea. When you go back, you can bring a message to the court for me."
Xu Fu said: "If the manager has anything to say, just submit a memorial. You are a high-ranking official. If you submit a memorial, the court will definitely not ignore it."
Kong Yanzhou said: "The memorial is useful, so why let you take the lead? I have joined the army since I was a child. I have been in the army all year round and am familiar with the army. Since the Jingkang period, I have led troops to fight for the imperial court. Over the years, many achievements have been made. What a great contribution! Zhong Xiang made a rebellion, and both lakes suffered. Last year, my Ti Rui Brigade went to Dongting Lake and killed him in one battle! What a great contribution! As a result, there is no festival, so why did Qihuang send me to do it? I am the envoy of Zhenfu. How can the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses under my command be settled in the two states? Just like Wang Xiaolie, occupying the land along the way and becoming a military envoy, why not!"
Xu Fu carefully replied: "There must be a reason for the court's arrangement. The manager can rest assured, just wait patiently."
Kong Yanzhou sneered: "A few days ago, the emperor of Qi in the north sent an envoy to persuade me to surrender to him. It's just that I was loyal to the court and refused him. If the court is unfair and neglects us generals who lead the army, it will be difficult to say in the future! "
