Han Shizu

Chapter 978
About sixty miles northeast of Kaifeng, as the north-south official road, a large-scale post station is located here, named Chenqiao post.As an important thoroughfare of transportation, it assumes the role of the government, the army, business travelers, and pedestrians transiting from north to south. In recent years, it has become increasingly prosperous and the population mobility is extremely high.

Its establishment was first conceived by Emperor Liu Chengyou, and it has been 14 years. There is a team of imperial guards on duty all year round, with more than 180 officials in charge of management, there are more than [-] road horses and post horses, and there are hotels. There are [-] five rooms, full of customers all the year round, together with Xiangfu Station in the west and Yongan Station in the south, they are called Kinki Three Stations.

On the flat and wide road that stretches all the way to the north, a group of people drove quickly. The leader was a middle-aged general with a thick beard and yellow skin.The coming general is Guo Tingwei, the commander of the Jinghai Navy (upgraded from the Jingjiang Army), and there are only three knights accompanying him. According to the regulations of the imperial court, with Guo Tingwei's rank, there can be no more than ten attendants when traveling.

As a surrendered general, Guo Tingwei received rare respect and preferential treatment in the Han Dynasty, especially as a rare naval talent in the north, he was promoted exceptionally.In real terms, he has been in charge of the main force of the Han navy for nearly ten years. In these years, he has been in charge of the construction of the Han army's navy in Laizhou and Mizhou, making the influence of the Han spread all over the coast.

Especially after the Northern Expedition that year, fighting across the sea made the ability of the big man to fight against the outside world more three-dimensional.At the beginning, he led [-] sailors from Laizhou Bay to the north, successfully landed on the Liaodong Peninsula, fought continuously, captured several states, and spread the might of the Han soldiers on that long-lost land.

Although he was later repelled by Liao general Gao Xun because of various factors such as military strength, supplies, and people's hearts, he persisted for nearly three months, and was finally driven into the sea.However, there are still some positive influences. At least it has accumulated experience for cross-sea military operations, and has a true understanding of the military, geography, and folk customs of the Liaodong region, which has also made Liaodong no longer a stable rear for the Liao Kingdom.

In view of this, it is said that at the suggestion of Gao Xun, who stayed behind in Liaodong, he also began to form a navy to prepare for the invasion of the Han army. However, for the Liao state, which was poor and had no foundation for a navy, this step was extremely difficult.

For Guo Tingwei, failure in Liaodong was regarded as a disgrace, even if the emperor had said it earlier, he only tried and did not look at the results.In terms of the results of the battle, the achievement of annihilating tens of thousands of Liao troops at the cost of losing more than [-] soldiers is not considered a failure.However, Guo Tingwei couldn't pass the test in his heart.

To sum up, the reason lies in his status as a general, which made him have to devote more energy and effort to the official career of the big man. This is an invisible pressure.

Therefore, after returning to Laizhou, the first thing Guo Tingwei did was to present Liu Chengyou, who was still in Youzhou, to plead guilty to the situation in Liaodong.Liu Chengyou, of course, comforted him with kind words, and asked him to report to the imperial court, personally asked him about various situations in Liaodong, and then encouraged him even more to reduce his psychological pressure.

Therefore, for the emperor, Guo Tingwei has a sense of gratitude and gratitude, and he wholeheartedly wants to make contributions to repay the emperor's kindness.During the three years of dormancy, he supervised the construction of sea ships in the east, replenished troops, and trained water warfare, waiting for the opportunity.

But this time, he was summoned to Beijing, and after receiving the imperial edict, he explained the military affairs, and hurried west with his entourage.Guo Tingwei is a very knowledgeable general. From the emperor's actions, he can see that when the opportunity comes, the court must have a proposal to conquer the Tang Dynasty.After all, when Liu Chengyou instructed to build a navy in the East China Sea, his main goal was Jiangnan.

In the early years, he might still have some psychological barriers in the battle against the Tang Dynasty, but after ten years in the Han Dynasty, he has almost forgotten the affection of the motherland, and he dare not show a similar attitude again.When he first came down, the emperor might appreciate his loyalty, but now, if he is still reserved, it is the way to die.

On the other hand, there are only a few small countries left in the south, and the unification is imminent, and the world will soon return to peace. Warriors like them have fewer and fewer opportunities to make contributions.If you don't take advantage of the final unification war to actively act, earn meritorious service, and seal your wife and son, then it will only become more and more uncertain in the future.

Up to now, there are like clouds of great men and good generals. In terms of achievements, it seems that there are too many monks and too little porridge.In comparison, Guo Tingwei is considered lucky. In terms of naval warfare, the pressure of competition is really not great.

In front of Chenqiao post, a group of people stopped on their horses, and immediately a post official came up to greet him. Hearing the situation and knowing his identity, the small official became even more humble, with a smile on his face that made his beard tremble slightly.

While arranging for someone to feed the horse, he waited on him enthusiastically with a shy face, and while leading him into the post station, he asked considerately: "I don't know if the general will stay overnight tonight. If so, the officials should make arrangements in advance!"

"No need, prepare some food, drink and food, let us eat and drink enough, and then go!" Guo Tingwei ordered.

"Yes! General, please come with me!" The post official remained courteous.

Entering, there is a burst of noise. The interior of this inn is like a restaurant, and it is relatively luxurious, spacious and bright. There are nearly forty food tables in the lobby alone, and most of them are seated.

Those who could afford to live in the station were not ordinary people. Of course, most of them were officials and business travelers passing by. Looking around, all you saw were people in silk and brocade, and some directly in official uniforms.

His line of business still attracted the attention of many people. Anyone who came up to strike up a conversation was politely rejected by him. He only entered the post station for dinner.

However, after sitting down and observing the surrounding scene, Guo Tingwei still couldn't help sighing: "The station is full of guests, what a prosperous world!"

In the Southern Tang Dynasty, Guo Tingwei had seen many people and experienced wars, but he didn't feel at ease, probably due to the luck of the dynasty.

Waiting is a test of patience, especially when you are hungry and waiting for food, Guo Tingwei is full of patience, but his followers are quite upset. If Guo Tingwei hadn't been pressing him down, he might have slapped the table and yelled.

However, at this time, a man in silk clothes and with a black hood on his head came to the table and said to Guo Tingwei: "General Guo, my officials are here to invite you!"

"Huh?" A look of surprise flashed in Guo Tingwei's eyes, and he looked at him. He was in his thirties. Although he was a servant, he had a calm demeanor, and he was obviously not an ordinary servant.

"Dare to ask your master?" Guo Tingwei asked.

The visitor stepped forward, lowered his voice, and said a name. Guo Tingwei's expression suddenly became solemn, and he cupped his hands when he got up, and said modestly: "Please lead the way!"

He gave a few more instructions to his followers, and then followed the visitors to pay his respects.

"The final general will meet the Duke!" Entering a quiet room, Guo Tingwei immediately stepped forward and bowed when he saw the middle-aged man who was sitting on the table and drinking tea leisurely.

"You don't need to be polite, general!" Chai Rong stood up and returned the salute, with a gentle attitude, and stretched out his hand: "Please take a seat!"

That's right, the nobleman in the house is none other than Chai Rong, Duke of the Han Kingdom.After recuperating for almost a year, he was in good health, so Liu Chengyou asked him to come out to participate in the government affairs. First, he served as the governor of Kaifeng for a year. It's been half a year, and I've only returned so far.

"I haven't seen you for many years, but the general looks the same!" Chai Rong looked at Guo Tingwei and gave a rare smile.

Guo Tingwei also complimented: "The Duke is also very noble, and his majesty is getting more and more serious!"

Chai Rong didn't show any emotion on his face, and said peacefully: "This time I'm returning to Beijing, I'll rest here for a while, I heard that the general is seated, and I'm specially invited to tell you a story!"

"This is the honor of the last general!" Guo Tingwei maintained a certain respect for Chai Rong.

Chai Rong's position in the bureaucrats of the great Han Dynasty is very high, and he is also very powerful. Regardless of his personal ability and the emperor's trust and entrustment to him, since he has mastered military aircraft for many years and is a relative of the emperor, these are enough to make him The vast majority of people in the world are in awe.

Speaking of which, there is still a fate and friendship between Chai Rong and Guo Tingwei.During the Huainan War, Chai Rong, as a strategic envoy, faced Guo Tingwei as the strategic envoy in the Huainan region. Later, Guo Tingwei's surrender was also played by Chai Rong.

This time I met here by chance, talking about it, I feel a little more emotional
The two sat opposite each other, sipping tea, and chatting happily. Because of Chai Rong, Guo Tingwei simply chose to stay overnight in Chenqiaoyi, and will go to Beijing with Chai Rong in the next day.

(End of this chapter)