Wuchang, formerly known as E County, is located on the south bank of the Yangtze River, surrounded by Jiangmian, surrounded by lakes and mountains, with Lufei on the left and Xianghan on the right. It is a strategic location between Jing and Yang. In the first year of Zhangwu, Liu Bei attacked Wu, and Sun Quan took command of the battle. He came to E County from Gong'an and renamed E County Wuchang. He also named the six counties of Wuchang, Xiazhi, Xunyang, Yangxin, Chaisang and Shaxian as Wuchang County. This is the capital.
Speaking of which, in order to cope with the situation in the world, Soochow's governance has been changing. First it was in Wu County, then it was moved to Jingkou to build an iron urn city, then it was moved to Moling to build a stone city, and in these years it was moved to Wuchang. Historically, although Soochow eventually made Moling, or Jianye, its capital, Lu Xun assisted the crown prince and still garrisoned Wuchang, so Wuchang's status was still important. Of course, this is a story for another day.
This is Deng Zhi's second visit to Wuchang. Although it is freezing cold now, Wuchang is the capital of Soochow after all. In addition, it is located at a strategic location between water and land, so the city is still crowded with merchants and people. A lively scene with people coming and going.
Deng Zhi lowered the window, and the noise outside the house suddenly disappeared. It was still the familiar post house and the familiar room on the second floor. He couldn't help but think that the attitude of the hotel officials this time was much better than the last time he came.
This was the eighth day he arrived in Soochow. During this period, he had met with Sun Quan, the Lord of Wu, three times. With the news brought back by Zhang Wen, the two sides talked very harmoniously this time, and it was a foregone conclusion that Han and Wu would reunite.
The mission of repairing the alliance was completed, and Deng Zhi couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief in his heart. But then he thought about another important task that had not yet been completed, and his anger rose again. He walked around the room and thought about it. Sun Quan saw that the two countries had agreed to an alliance and planned to host a banquet for him tonight. Sun Quan should be in a good mood tonight, and he should be less defensive. It seems that he can rely on the Prime Minister's advice tonight. Act according to plan.
In Chongli Hall of Wuchang Palace, Wu King Sun Quan gathered civil and military officials together and held a banquet to celebrate the restoration of the two countries Wu and Shu. The hall was decorated with lanterns and brightly lit, and all the officials, big and small, looked happy. While watching the moving dance music, they toasted and laughed to each other. There were also palace maids and waiters coming and going. It was really lively, and it was a scene of singing and dancing.
As an envoy of the Han Dynasty, Deng Zhi naturally sat next to Sun Quan. Opposite him sat Sun Shao, the prime minister of the Kingdom of Wu. Later, he was valued by Sun Quan many times. In September of the second year of Zhangwu, after Wei and Wu fell out, Sun Quan officially changed his reign name to Huang Wu. When Zhang Zhao was disliked by Sun Quan, Sun Shao was appointed prime minister by Sun Quan, so Gong Nai was the prime minister of Wu.
Deng Zhi’s subordinate was his old friend Zhang Wen. Given Zhang Wen’s official position, he couldn’t sit so high up. Of course, Sun Quan’s arrangement was to make it easier for him to talk to Deng Zhi. It can be said that Sun Quan still gave Deng Zhi enough face today. .
After some exchange of drinks, Sun Quan was already slightly tipsy. He smiled and said to Deng Zhi: "Bo Miao, now that we have reunited our alliance, we can go north and destroy Cao Wei together. By then, the world will be peaceful and the two countries will be peaceful." Wouldn’t it be great to divide and conquer?”
Deng Zhi was shocked when he heard this and thought that this was King Wu's probing words. Any hero would pursue the goal of unifying the world. Is King Wu an exception? Hum, no matter what you think about Soochow, I, a big man, will not really rule the world with other countries.
Deng Zhi thought carefully about his words, then cupped his hands and said: "Since ancient times, there have been no two suns in the sky and no two kings on the earth. If after joining forces to annex the Wei State, the king is still a man who fails to understand the destiny of heaven, then you and I will only have monarchs who each have their own merits." The virtues and ministers will each fulfill their loyalty, and the generals will beat the war drums, and then the war between the two sides will begin again."
After hearing Deng Zhi's words, Sun Quan knew that this was probably the truest result. Seeing that Deng Zhi had not deceived him with lies, he couldn't help laughing and said: "Young man is so honest and sincere." When Deng Zhi heard this, He stood up, raised his wine glass, and said humbly: "This is also due to the sincerity of your Majesty. Your Majesty, please." Seeing that Deng Zhi attributed the good alliance between the two countries to himself, Sun Quan felt even more happy, and he also raised his glass and stood up to salute. : "Please. Sirs, please." Everyone in the palace stood up and said in salute: "Your Majesty, please." They drank the fine wine together, and the joyful atmosphere in the palace reached a climax for a while.
After Deng Zhi sat down, he continued: "Your Majesty has a universal mind and ambitions in all directions. Foreign ministers think that since the death of Cao Cao and Emperor Zhaolie, looking at the world today, our Lord is still young, and the pseudo-Wei Cao Pi is a man with great ambitions and few talents. Who else is a hero besides the king? No wonder Yang Mingzhi, the prime minister of our country, has written poems praising it."
Sun Quan also heard Zhang Wen recite Yang Qing's poem, including the line "Who is the rival of the heroes in the world? Cao Liu. Having a son should be like Sun Zhongmou." He also recited it repeatedly.
Although Yang Qing seems to be a generation shorter than Cao Cao and Liu Bei in this poem, it can still be seen that the author recognizes that he is comparable to Cao Liu. It is said that Yang Mingzhi is a new talent in Sichuan. He not only created this kind of poem New literary style, and it is said that he is also quite talented in military and political affairs. He is highly valued by Zhuge Kongming. I will meet this person if I have the opportunity in the future.
Deng Zhi flattered Sun Quan even more. Seeing that the time had come, he immediately handed over to Sun Quan and said, "Your Majesty, Zhang Yi, the prefect of Yizhou in our country, was kidnapped and sent to Soochow by Yong Kai for a long time. Now, now The two countries have restored old friendship, so Zhi asks the king to return Mr. Zhang."
"What, this happened?"
Sun Quan was a little confused. He knew Yong Kai. He was the surname of Yizhou County in Nanzhong of Shu. When he still had thoughts about Nanzhong, he ordered Shi Xie, the prefect of Jiaozhi, to seduce Yong Kai secretly. If he really wanted to take refuge, he not only killed Zheng'ang, the governor of Yizhou, but also made a request to be attached to him. From this point of view, this Zhang Yi was the person who later succeeded Zhengang. However, when did this person be kidnapped by Yong Kai and sent to Soochow? Why did he have no memory at all?
Yes, Yongkai gave himself a batch of gold and silver jewelry and captured officials of Western Shu. At that time, he asked the new governor of Jiaozhou, Lu Dai, to accept him. At that time, he ordered Lu Dai to have full authority to deal with it. He must have given this Zhang Yi to Get frustrated.
Deng Zhi saw that Sun Quan didn't look like he was hypocritical and said anxiously: "The King of Wu doesn't know about this, so this will be difficult to handle. Before the foreign ministers left, Prime Minister Zhuge asked me to bring back those officials who were stranded in Wu. To calm the people of Shu. What can we do now?"
Sun Quan said: "Shang Shu, don't be anxious, there are still some clues here." Sun Quan saw that Deng Zhi was anxious, so he quickly told him the clues he had just remembered, and Deng Zhi felt relieved.
But Deng Zhi then thought about it. He didn't know whether Zhang Yi would live or die after being dealt with by Lu Dai. He quickly asked Sun Quan again: "Please send someone to search for Mr. Zhang, so that Zhi can complete the mission of Prime Minister Zhuge."
After two contacts, Sun Quan admired Deng Zhi's talents very much. Seeing that he wanted something from him, he immediately agreed: "Don't worry, sir, I will definitely order Lu Dai to find Zhang Yi and send him to Wuchang."
"Thank you so much, Your Majesty." Deng Zhi saw that the matter had come to this, so he had no choice but to wait for a while.
In Guangxin County, Cangwu County, in a simple private house, Zhang Yi is writing today's copy. He is fifty-eight years old, with gray hair and thin body. He has been exiled here since he was kidnapped by Yong Kai and sent to Wu Kingdom. Fortunately, the Guangxin County Temple knew that he had been a high official and treated him with a certain degree of courtesy. They did not arrange physical work for him, but asked him to do some copying and writing, so Zhang Yi's body did not suffer much fatigue. .
Although he was not tired physically, Zhang Yi felt very painful in his heart. He took a detour to Yizhou County to preside over county affairs according to the king's order. Unexpectedly, the local powerful Yong Kai was so crazy that he wanted to kill the former eunuch Zheng Ang instead of killing him. Fortunately, Yong Kai was trying to flatter Soochow at that time, so he was handed over to the people of Wu, thus sparing his life.
Although a long time had passed since these events, Zhang Yi would feel regretful and ashamed whenever he recalled them. He didn't know if he could return to his homeland in this life, let alone how he would face Prime Minister Zhuge in the future. Just when he stopped writing to feel sorry for himself, suddenly the door was pushed open forcefully.
"Mr. Zhang, quickly follow us to the county temple. Envoy Lu and King Wu have invited us."
