Han Shizu

Chapter 230 The Death of King Yan
As Zhao Yanshou said, the generals and schools present are the backbone of the Yan army, and they can be called the cornerstone of the army. If something goes wrong with these people, the Yan army will be in chaos.It is impossible to arrest all of them, and Zhao Yanshou did not intend to catch all the senior generals and schools under his command. That would be tantamount to self-disruption and contrary to the original intention of stabilizing the situation in Youzhou.

After all, Zhao Yanshou's goal is to eliminate the imminent hidden dangers, deal with those rebellious elements, and pave the way for Zhao Kuangzan's superiority.

Therefore, only a few chickens were targeted in front of a group of monkeys, and Zhang Yan, the deputy commander of the Lulong Army Yamen, and the white-faced Duxiao were all included in the "chicken".

This kind of action is very dangerous, and a little improper operation can easily cause even greater disasters.However, with the current situation in Youzhou, the army and the people's hearts need to be rectified urgently. In addition to Zhao Yanshou's illness, it is necessary to cut through the mess with a bold style, without any sloppiness.If Zhao Yanshou doesn't do things well and leaves it to Zhao Kuangzan to deal with it alone, there is a great possibility that Youzhou will collapse directly.

Fortunately, although Zhao Yanshou and his son's plan was sudden, they were well prepared, acted decisively, and everything was under control.The rooster was taken down and successfully frightened the monkeys present, while Zhao Yanshou invited them into the hall, had a heart-to-heart talk, and calmed down a bit.

This was followed by a major adjustment to the command of the Yan Army. Officers loyal to the Zhao family and the "Pro-South faction" were promoted and quickly occupied important positions in the Youzhou army.As for the "Shunbei faction", it is inevitable that their heads will be decapitated if they are displaced, relegated, dismissed, or imprisoned.At the same time, the investigation of "Khitan spies" in the army was carried out.

In such an era, coups and military changes are commonplace and not surprising, but if a few people are not killed and some blood is shed, it is an incomplete military change.If you don't kill a chicken, why do you scare the monkey? Several senior generals of the Yan army, headed by Zhang Yan, were accused of "colluding with the Khitan, bewitching the army, and conspiring to rebel" by the owls.

Of course, although military coups are normal, harsh measures and decisive measures are always only the first step.How to deal with the aftermath, stabilize the situation, and gather people's hearts is the most important thing, and the military, government, scholars and people are all watching.

Killing can intimidate people, but it is difficult to convince people. If it is not handled properly, it is not impossible to overcome the above.Zhao Yanshou and his son are obviously well versed in the reason behind this.

After disposing of Zhang Yan and others, Zhao Yanshou dragged his sick body and personally inspected the army, received sergeants, and comforted them.Moreover, Zhao Kuangzan was personally responsible for distributing all the property, land, and tenants of Zhang Yan and other families in the three prefectures of Lulong to the rest of the generals.

Interests have always moved people's hearts, and using money to buy people's hearts is the most direct and effective means.It's just that the price is not small, and the Youzhou government treasury, which is not rich in the first place, has been exhausted, but it is worth it.

Zhao Yanshou and his son's major adjustments to the army have caused the Yan army's combat effectiveness to decline sharply in a short period of time, after all, it will be the heart of the soldiers.However, in the long run, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

The most intuitive result of keeping Yan's army in a disintegrating and disintegrating situation, calming down people's hearts and stabilizing the turbulent situation, is that all the messy grievances and rumors in the army dissipated.

At the same time, the "Shunbei faction" was suppressed, making the whole army's awareness "highly unified" again, and the anti-Liao Wei family is still the theme.Most importantly, with the control of the army, the Zhao family's father and son's rule over Youzhou has been stabilized for the time being, and they have more capital to show their value on Liu Chengyou's side.

Of course, although the follow-up method of Huairou won the hearts of most people, the frustrated will inevitably hug each other more closely and become a hidden danger.But this hidden danger is no longer worth fighting, it just needs to be well guarded against.

With the arrival of the great summer heat, Yan Wang Zhao Yanshou's condition deteriorated sharply and he fainted again.Zhao Kuangzan put down his military and government affairs and returned to the government urgently.

"The adjustment of important military and political positions in Zhuo and Yi prefectures has been completed, and all of them will be dispatched with confidant ministers." Sitting on the side of the couch in the back hall of King Yan's mansion, he said to Zhao Yanshou that since he was reporting, he was also offering comfort: "All the generals in the army I also perform my duties with due diligence, the training is gradually launched, the morale of the army is gradually stabilized, and the combat power will gradually recover. The city gates of Youzhou have been sent to guard the city. Elite soldiers have been stationed. In addition, there is a lot of land around the civil and military forces of Youzhou, and I want to organize the people's forces , donate money and food, use the city gate as a link, and help those generations to build a wide fortress, to guard their fields and protect the people, and resist the intrusion of Hu Qi."

After a few days of tossing, Zhao Yanshou's body has completely collapsed, and he can't even sit up. He looks like he is dying, and he is still breathing, but his breath is like a thread.

Zhao Kuangzan obviously listened to what Zhao Kuangzan said, a trace of relief appeared on his haggard face, and he said in a low voice, "As a father, I can protect you to this day, protect you from some turmoil, and bear some infamy. Now the military and political power in Youzhou , It’s all in your hands, and you can do whatever you want. But remember, with the situation in Youzhou, the most important thing at any time is to stabilize the hearts of the people, especially the soldiers.”

"My son understands."

Zhao Yanshou spoke in a weak voice, and continued to exhort extremely slowly: "You are still young, so you naturally like to use young and strong, and you should have a group of confidants to guard you. However, that Zhao Siwan, I think it is quite violent, Use it well, it will be a sharp blade, but you must be good at preventing it from hurting your hands. Ghost faces are strong and dare to fight, and they can be the iron army in the army. You need to take power and control it in your hands, and you must not let it do anything!"

Hearing his words suddenly, Zhao Kuangzan was slightly surprised, his eyelids trembled slightly, he had his own considerations and ideas about Zhao Siwan and Ghost Miandu.But facing the old father's strict instructions, without any hesitation, he respectfully replied: "Don't worry, I will pay attention."

With Zhao Yanshou's terminal illness, he seemed to have mobilized all the rest of his strength, and his mind was exceptionally clear.

After a pause, he continued: "The situation in Youzhou should be sent to Tokyo and reported to the court to show loyalty. In addition, please send an official to the north to supervise the army!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangzan frowned, and said hesitantly: "So, don't you ask for restraint?"

"In Youzhou, the support of the Han court is indispensable. It is necessary to reassure the court and the emperor. Otherwise, how can we export food and equipment to the north?" Zhao Yanshou explained.

Zhao Kuangzan thought for a while, then nodded in response: "I remember it."

This exhortation seemed to consume almost all of Zhao Yanshou's strength. His face became darker and his eyes became more erratic. He praised Zhao Kuang, "Go. From now on, the chief minister of Youzhou, Zhao Yanshou, Your family's honor and disgrace are tied to you alone!"

"Yes!" Hearing his father's words, although Zhao Kuangzan felt sad, but his will was firm, he knelt down in front of the couch and solemnly saluted him.

After telling the backyard to take care of Zhao Kuangzan, he left.

In June of the first year of Qianyou (25), Zhao Yanshou, king of Yan, died of illness in Youzhou.After all, he couldn't survive this summer, but he walked very peacefully, with his wife and Youzhou civil and military sent him to die. Compared with the miserable death in a foreign land in the original history, it can be called a good death.

The situation in Youzhou spread to Tokyo as quickly as possible, and it was put on the desk of Emperor Liu Chengyou.

In fact, a few days in advance, all the military coups that happened in Youzhou were spread southward to Kaifeng one after another.In Youzhou, within the Yan army, there are not only "pro-South faction", but also a lot of eyeliner of the imperial court.

Previously, the secret spies arranged by Liu Chengyou had been formally assigned to the Privy Council, and a military intelligence department had been established, which was different from the Wu De department's spy agencies, specializing in spying on foreign military affairs.

The actions of Zhao Yanshou and his son were clearly under the banner of "rectifying illegality", but after the analysis of Liu Chengyou and Guo and Wei, several important privy officials, it is natural to see the essence of eliminating dissidents and centralizing power.However, Liu Chengyou is happy to see the success of this. Before that, the "anti-Han" sentiment in the Yan army was strong, and he was deeply jealous.

Now, after the Zhao family's father and son sorted it out, the situation suddenly changed.What Liu Chengyou and the imperial court want is a stable Youzhou military and political group to exercise the function of imperial Liao Dynasty.As for the Zhao family, I don't think it is a taboo. As mentioned earlier, Youzhou has its own limitations, especially after the Zhao family's father and son rectify this time, as long as Liu Chengyou doesn't do it himself, there will be no serious problems.

Of course, the maintenance of the relationship between the two parties needs to be treated with care.Contradictions are unavoidable. If you blindly support the north, there will be dissent in the court, and you are afraid of raising tigers.Youzhou may also feel uneasy because of the turmoil of the imperial court and have different intentions.

Due to its special situation, Youzhou and the imperial court are different from the normal relationship between the central and local governments, the imperial court and the feudal towns.Liu Chengyou still needs to keep a clear mind, especially after Zhao Kuangzan came to power.

In Liu Chengyou's impression, although Zhao Kuangzan is also smart, but young and vigorous, but because of his sharpness, he needs to change the way of getting along with Youzhou.

However, judging from the attitude of Zhao Kuangzan's letter, he is still very "obedient" and "loyal" to the court.

"The heavens are ruthless, and it will not take more than a year. The death of King Yan will make the great Han lose one of the pillars of the northern border!" In the Guangzheng Palace, Liu Chengyou summoned the ministers and the members of the Privy Council, and said with emotion, and then turned to Fan Zhi who was waiting beside him. He ordered: "Let the Hanlin Academy write a sacrificial oration to tell it."

"Yes!"

"Your Majesty, with the death of King Yan, the military administration of Youzhou is now in the hands of his son Zhao Kuangzan. At this time, the situation in northern Xinjiang is bound to be unstable. If the Khitans take the opportunity to invade, the hearts of the people will not be settled, and they may suffer. The court should immediately take action." What you said is to stabilize the situation in Youzhou!" Guo Wei came out and seriously suggested to Liu Chengyou.

"Guo Qing's words are reasonable!" Liu Chengyou nodded. He obviously had thought about it long ago. He looked at Yang Bin and other ministers and said: "In order to pass on the system, use Zhao Kuangzan as the envoy of Lulong Jiedu, the chief of the northern camp, Jia Taiwei, and Tong Pingzhang. matter, to attack the King of Yan."

"Let Chengde Zhang Yanwei and Henghai Wangjing coordinate part of the food and pay to support Youzhou. In addition, all the troops stationed along Nanyishui should be guarded in case of accidents. Make sure that the military power in Youzhou is handed over smoothly!"

In Zhao Kuangzan's performance, the meaning of asking for help is very obvious.For peace of mind, the imperial court had to express something more or less.This is also the first official communication between the two sides after Zhao Kuangzan took charge of the military administration, hoping to have a good start.

"As ordered!"

(End of this chapter)