Han Shizu

Chapter 979 Old Acquaintance
In the Han Palace, under the afternoon sun, Pan Mei and Cao Bin, the two generals, walked along the long corridor to the waiting office.The Forbidden Palace is strictly guarded, and as a courtier, looking around is impolite, but after a long absence, Pan Mei carefully observed the surrounding scene, and finally turned into a sigh of emotion: "It seems that there is not much change in the palace! "

Cao Bin walked with him, perhaps because of the modesty and prudence he learned from Guo Wei. Hearing this, he just smiled politely and didn't answer.In addition, unlike Pan Mei who worked in the Forbidden Palace, Cao Bin did not have so many emotions. His official career was continuously promoted from the position of local officials.Of course, Guo Wei's relationship played a big role in it.

Speaking of which, it was Cao Bin's first visit to Beijing and the first time he was received by the emperor when he was ordered to return to the court to report on his duties.Therefore, as far as Cao Bin is concerned, there is also an excited mood under his calm face.

Since the imperial court took over Jinghu in the eighth year of Qianyou, the second general Pan Cao has been placed in Hunan to command troops, train troops, suppress chaos, and suppress bandits. It has been almost seven years now.

Even at the beginning, when Liu Chengyou made adjustments to the national army, the Hunan region was not spared. Generals like Du Hanhui and Li Yun were transferred, but Pan and Cao were the only two generals who did not move. The emperor's appointment intention was obvious.

Now, both of them are over [-] years old, Cao Bin can still be said to be younger, and Pan Mei can already be described as running four. It can be said that a full seven years of precious time have been wasted in Hunan, Pan Mei thought How much is a bit unwilling and depressed.

Pan Mei has little ambition, and is a hero with great ambition and utilitarianism. From Pingshu to the Northern Expedition, the two large-scale wars did not have his share. For him, it is really a kind of pain.This is also, during the "restoration war" between Han and Guangdong in 12 years, Pan Mei tried her best to plead with the imperial court to send more troops to destroy Guangdong in one fell swoop and restore Lingnan.

Although suppressed by the emperor, Pan Mei's desire for achievement became stronger and stronger.Now, more than two years have passed, and when the emperor's edict spread to Hunan, Pan Mei knew that the opportunity to make meritorious deeds he had been waiting for for many years had arrived.

After many years of serving in the southern garrison, Pan Mei has long been familiar with the situation in southern Guangdong, and the domestic situation has nothing to hide from him.Moreover, Pan Mei has already fully sketched out how to destroy Guangdong and how to enter the army. She has a whole set of plans, and she is going to present herself to the emperor after returning to Beijing this time.

When they entered the waiting room, they saw Chai Rong sitting on the seat talking with Guo Tingwei. Pan and Cao froze for a moment, then came to their senses and went forward to salute: "I have seen the prime minister!"

"General Guo!" He bowed his hands to Guo Tingwei again, and the two were just acquaintances who nodded.

"I'm now the privy envoy!" Chai Rong also seemed very happy to see the Second General Pan Cao, and pointed out the mistake in the title.

Pan Mei is also used to this. After all, Chai Rong has been in charge of military affairs for a long time from Deputy Privy Envoy to Privy Council Envoy, and it can be regarded as deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Pan Mei also served as a subordinate in the Privy Council for a period of time.

On the contrary, it was Cao Bin who smiled slightly, and said respectfully, "The last general pays his respects to Lord Chai!"

Cao Bin is like this, he always gives people a sense of stability and discipline, and he can't find any mistakes at all.Looking at Cao Bin, who is also in his thirties, Chai Rong said: "Guohua can achieve today's achievements, Mr. and Mrs. Xing should also be gratified!"

Cao Bin immediately said modestly: "Thank you for the praise, the Duke of the Kingdom, but the general dare not accept it. What I wish is that the superior will not be disappointed by the king's kindness, and the inferior will not be resented by the people. That is enough!"

"You, your temper hasn't changed for so many years!" Seeing this, Chai Rong's expression became more relaxed. He is a serious and serious person, and he approves of Cao Bin's unassuming words and deeds.

"Let me introduce to you, the commander of the Jing Navy, Guo Tingwei, General Guo! This time, the same, I will go to Beijing!" Chai Rong introduced. Among the four people present, only Cao Bin and Guo Tingwei did not know each other.

Guo and Cao greeted each other, and Chai Rong turned to Pan Mei again, with a very emotional tone: "Zhongxun, you are now a general of the imperial court!"

Pan Mei smiled slightly, and said respectfully: "I would also like to thank Your Majesty and Duke Chan for their promotion, but it's a pity that I couldn't participate in the Northern War!"

Hearing what he said, Chai Rong gave a rare smile and said: "It seems that you have already prepared a letter of invitation when you return to Beijing this time!"

Pan Mei continued the conversation and said: "The final general has the courage to ask Duke Chan, has your Majesty called us back to Beijing, has he decided on the Pingnan proposal?"

Watching Pan Mei's eyes, full of desire for meritorious service, Chai Rong shook his head: "After returning from our northern tour, we are still not clear about the decision made by His Majesty and the court, but since we have returned to the court, Your Majesty has entrusted us, so you don't have to worry !"

Several people exchanged pleasantries in the waiting room, especially the conversation with Pan Mei and Cao Bin. Chai Rong was a little attentive and cared about the situation in the south.

Speaking of it, it's no wonder that Liu Chengyou has an uncontrollable fear of the Guo family and his son.Don't say anything else, just look at the few generals who are waiting to be summoned.Cao Bin, Guo Wei's nephew and nephew; Pan Mei, who was Chai Rong's subordinate in the early years, was discovered by him, and was later recommended by him to join the Forbidden Army, served as a direct subordinate of the Privy Council for a period of time, and strongly supported Pan Mei's appointment; Guo Tingwei , the friendship from that year is still playing a role today, and as a surrendered general, Chai Rong is also the object of his closeness.
And these three people are obviously the commanding generals that Liu Chengyou prepared for the Pingnan War, and they will all be of great use.Not to mention, in the Han army, among other old and strong generals, there are people who have something to do with Guo Chai.

They didn't keep the four of them waiting for too long. About fifteen minutes later, the servants came to summon the four of them to the Long Live Hall.At that time, Liu Chengyou was in the harem, flirting with Concubine Zhou Shu, listening to her talk about piano and flute, to relieve the pressure of state affairs.

A few years ago, he let go of power for a period of time, but without knowing it, he took it back, especially during the military and political adjustments in the 13th and 15th years, he personally supervised the subordinates, and many bureaucrats were out of breath. , After entering [-] years, it will get better.

Regarding the return of Chai, Guo, Pan, and Cao to Beijing, Liu Chengyou certainly showed his enthusiasm and kindness, holding some cooking cakes, and said to the four of them: "This is the Sun's cake that I specially ordered someone to purchase from outside the palace. It has a great reputation and a resounding signboard, and I have heard about it for a long time. I have tasted it today, and you all come back just in time, so you are lucky!"

The emperor's friendly gesture made people very comfortable. With a few pieces of cooking cakes, Pan Mei and Cao Bin's nervousness when they met Sheng was relieved.

"This time on the northern tour, I endured the wind and the snow, and worked hard all the way!" Of course, the first thing Liu Chengyou paid attention to was the returning Chai Rong.

"It's my honor to patrol the hunt on behalf of the sky. Your Majesty has great trust and deep feelings. How hard is it?" Chai Rong looked very calm.

This is just a way of communication between the monarch and his ministers. Liu Chengyou quickly revealed it, talked about the business, and said: "I have read the memorial you submitted, and I am very satisfied with the results of the northern tour. However, you mentioned that, There is a strange movement in Khitan, I am very curious, how does this strangeness come from, let me tell you what you think!"

Hearing the question, Chai Rong also became serious, and replied: "I only learned about it through communicating with the generals of the various borders, and asking the people of the border cities and the Hujia. In the past year, the tribes and soldiers of the Khitan have directed Although the trend of westward migration is hidden, it is difficult to completely cover up the traces. Moreover, according to the report of General Li Wanchao of Jiuyuan, in the past three years, the Lord of the Liao Dynasty has hunted westward several times, as far as the Bai Dadan tribe at the northern foot of Yinshan Mountain.

Although it is just a guess, I believe that the Khitan is planning some secret plan, and it must be in the west, the court has to guard against it! "

Hearing his words, Liu Chengyou said in a cold voice: "Not long ago, I also received a report from Ludoxun in the Northwest, saying that Li Guangrui, an army in trouble, was secretly contacting the Khitan people. Do you think the Khitan people are planning Hexi area?"

Regarding this, Chai Rong could not give a definite answer, but said solemnly: "I believe that after the Northern Expedition, the Liao Kingdom suffered heavy losses, and it will definitely not be able to recover in just three years. He took the initiative to attack the Han Dynasty. Possibly, it’s not that big, but if we unite with the Dingnan Army, it will definitely cause great harm to the northwest region, so we have to take this matter seriously!”

After thinking about it for a while, Liu Chengyou finally said: "It seems that after the past few years of peace, they have become restless. The Khitan people have chosen a good time to set up a difficult army."

As he said that, Liu Chengyou also expressed his attitude on this matter: "Now, the focus of the imperial court should be on flattening the south of the Yangtze River and unifying the world. As for the Northwest, the intentions of the Khitan people are not clear, and the party has no doubts. If it is broken, it can only be shelved for the time being. However, I have already issued an edict to make the military and government in the Northwest more vigilant."

(End of this chapter)