Five Dynasties River Mountains Fengyue

Chapter 280 Atmosphere
In mid-March, there was continuous spring rain, and Jincheng Chengdu was covered with rain.

An atmosphere of unease circulated everywhere, and there were people whispering in the streets and alleys, not daring to raise their voices.

The bluestone bricks on the street are splashed by the rain, and the bright green moss is looming in the corner of the wall. The light rain on the Tianjie Street is as moist as crisp, and the grass looks like it is far away.
The streets of Chengdu are extremely quiet. From time to time, under the eaves of the roadside, some people are whispering, some people look worried, and they can vaguely hear the words of Zhou's army, war, and the north.

As long as it is mentioned, everyone's face is full of worry, and there are many taboos in the words, the words are flickering, and many people deliberately lower their voices every day.

It's just that some people are worried, and naturally some people are happy.

Included in this battle report, there are still some vague rumors. It is said that Qin Wang Shi never killed Shu soldiers, that Zhou Jun came to rescue the people of Shu, and only targeted the royal family and nobles.

No one dared to say such news blatantly, but when the storm was about to come, it was also secretly circulated along with a large number of soldiers who had fled from the front line, and the hearts of the people in the middle of Shu had a subtle fluctuation.

In fact, this kind of atmosphere is not new recently. In fact, it has long been lurking among the people. It's just that the recent successive defeats are like a gust of wind, and the water waves are rippling under the blowing.

Except for Wang Zhaoyuan and a few others, Meng Chang himself, his close ministers, and generals in the court were almost all foreigners.

When Meng Zhixiang entered Shu, he unified the two Sichuans, resisted foreign enemies, and allowed the people in Shu to live a stable life for decades. In addition, the unification of the Han Dynasty for 400 years and the unification of the Tang Dynasty for nearly 300 years also made the concept of one family under heaven accepted by people. Not that contradictory.

But in the next generation, most of them can no longer remember Meng Zhixiang's achievements, and some people have already begun to wonder why these outsiders are worshiped by the people of Shu.

As for Meng Chang, he did show certain political skills at the beginning of his ascension to the throne, eradicating political enemies and securing the throne. He also implemented some policies that benefited the people in order to win people's hearts during this period.

But after he eradicated his political opponents and established himself firmly in the country, he began to be extravagant and lustful, and enjoy himself.

Gradually, because of his fat body, Meng Chang could not ride a horse when he went out. Instead, he rode a chariot with heavy curtains and sachets around him.

And because of the long-term peace in the middle of Shu, the emperor took the lead in enjoying the elements, and followed suit. The clan and noble relatives, the children of high-ranking officials, feasted and entertained.

So much so that some people grow up to 30 years old and don't know the seedlings of rice and wheat.

Every spring, along the Huanhuaxi River in Chengdu, singing and music blare the sky, pearls and emeralds fill the throat, and the son of the noble family swims on the Baihua Lake together with Huaxuan Caiboat.Pavilions and pavilions, different fruits and famous flowers, overflowing them.

Officials bent the law for personal gain, took bribes and accepted bribes. Even in the imperial examinations, bribes were not exempted.

Some judicial officials even pointed to the prison door and said, "This is my family's money stove."

In such an environment, there are many dissatisfied ordinary people in the Shu region. There are not many ordinary soldiers who are willing to fight to protect Houshu. The outcome of the battlefield is always decided by the majority. There may be luck problems in the short term, but it must be determined by people's hearts in the long run. win or lose.

If ordinary soldiers don't want to use their lives, the generals can't decide the outcome.

Many people who have seen the world know it in their hearts, such as Prime Minister Li Hao
In the corridor of the outer hall of the imperial palace, Li Hao was discussing matters with Zhi Privy Council and Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhang Shi Yishen.

Yi Shenzheng was born in Bingzhou (Taiyuan, Shanxi). His father was General Meng Zhixiang, and he married Meng Zhixiang's daughter.

His high status has a lot to do with his status, but he has nothing to do.

Yi Shenzheng is also in his early forties. He is full of fat and blissful because of his comfort and enjoyment all the year round. At this time, his expression is quite disturbed. The first time to his hands.

"Li Gong, you came just in time, let's take a look." He said and handed him the battle report.

He muttered in a panic, "Beilu Shi Congyun has successively conquered Xingzhou and Xixian County, occupied Xingyuan, captured Sanquan, Lizhou, and Jianzhou, and the striker has already reached Jianmen Pass.

Han Baozheng was arrested, Zhao Chongtao was killed, I'm afraid, I'm afraid."

Yi Shenzheng's face was full of panic, Li Hao took it over and looked at it one by one, and asked, "Where's the south side?"

"The army of Li Chuyun, General of the State of Zhou, is stalemate in Kuizhou for the time being."

Li Hao nodded and asked, "Mr. Yi, does Your Majesty know the news?"

Yi Shenzheng said uncertainly, "This old man is going to see His Majesty, but the eunuch said that Concubine Fei is inside, so it's not easy to go in, but last night an eunuch came to the Privy Council to interrogate, Your Majesty should know.

Li Gong, how should I speak now."

Yi Shenzheng's chubby cheeks were sweating profusely. After all, he knew about the affairs of the Privy Council. He and Wang Zhaoyuan were in charge of the Privy Council. The Privy Council is the highest military decision-making body in a country. Now that the war has been lost, Yi Shenzheng is also afraid that His Majesty will vent his anger on the he.

Li Hao thought for a while, then said: "Let me go in with Mr. Yi, and if necessary, I can say a few words for Mr. Yi."

"I will remember Mr. Li's kindness today!" Yi Shenzheng was very grateful.

Li Hao just nodded, and he was a little absent-minded. He thought of something else in his mind.

He has been an official in Shu for nearly 50 years, and now he is a general and minister, controlling the financial power, earning tens of thousands of property every year, and his family is extremely luxurious. Although he is 68, Luo Qi's youth There are hundreds of concubines.

At the beginning, he insisted that the lord of the state should surrender to the state of Zhou because he was afraid of losing these wealth. If he voluntarily surrendered, he could negotiate conditions and protect himself.

Now that he heard that Shi Congyun's army was as powerful as a bamboo, he felt uneasy, but after all the years of struggling in the officialdom, he was better able to hide things than Yi Shenzheng.

In the inner courtyard of the palace, carved railings in Zhulou, golden palace and jade decorations, Meng Chang's fat body was half lying on the bed, his whole body seemed to be prostrated, his pale skin was sweating from time to time, several beautiful court ladies were waiting on him, and someone pinched his shoulders While beating his legs, someone carefully cooked unknown medicine for him.

Even in the face of Meng Chang's limp and paralyzed body, no one dared to show any strange colors.
Mrs. Huarui, the imperial concubine Fei was dressed elegantly and gently pushed his back to smoothen his air. At this time, even she was extra cautious, not daring to make a mistake.

Meng Chang beat his chest with his hands, panting and cursing: "Why... Isn't Wang Zhaoyuan Wolong?
Han Baozheng, isn't Zhao Chongtao the general of our Shu kingdom? In the courtroom, those people talk about them so fiercely, saying that they are invincible in all battles!

Now how can you lose in a row, no one is very useful!

That Shi Congyun is about to attack Chengdu. At this time, no one can mention me to stop him. "

Mrs. Huarui didn't dare to answer, she didn't know what His Majesty meant, in fact, she was even more afraid, she had never been out of Sichuan, as a woman, she had only heard about the north and the world.

Regarding the cruelty of the Khitan people, the proficiency of the Zhou army, and Shi Congyun's unstoppable victories over the years, she only heard about it from others.

The most recent time was also five or six years ago, when Shi Congyun went to the north and captured the four prefectures of Qin, Feng, Cheng, and Tier in their Shu Kingdom, but that was also thousands of miles away from Chengdu, far away in the Qinling Mountains.

Because His Majesty has thousands of concubines and tens of thousands of maids in the harem, many people want to follow the path of the harem and gain high positions by currying favor with His Majesty's favorite concubines.

As a noble concubine, naturally many people want to please her, and worshiping Buddhism and Taoism is very popular in the country, and His Majesty often invites some monks to give lectures, and will meet some people in the world.

Because of this, she also heard some "rebellious and immoral" remarks, such as some wandering Taoist priests with extensive knowledge, saying that the Shu Kingdom will definitely not last long, and that the northern army is strong and the horses are strong.

He also said that over the years, Shi Congyun had successively defeated the Kingdom of Shu, invaded Huainan, Nanping and Wuping, and expelled Khitan in the north.

At that time, she was vaguely uneasy
Unexpectedly, Shi Congyun really came this time, and took down Xing, Xixian, Sanquan, Xingyuanfu, and Lizhou one after another. Seeing that he was about to hit Chengdu, Wang Zhaoyuan, who was so powerful when he set off, was completely defeated in front of Shi Congyun. Vulnerable.

At first I thought he was Zhuge Wolong in Sichuan, His Majesty thought so, and she believed it. After all, she had never seen anything about swords and soldiers. She just felt that everyone said it so powerfully, and Wang Zhaoyuan himself said it so powerfully. His Majesty believed him. There should be something.

I didn't expect it to be so miserable
At this time, not only the people outside were panicked, she was also very scared, thinking about how those murderous, rough and violent warriors would be treated if they entered Chengdu?

He heard that Shi Congyun was a lecherous and brutal man who took other people's wives by force in the Southern Tang Dynasty and slaughtered a hundred thousand Khitan troops in the north. The blood flowed like rivers, and the piles of heads were higher than the city walls.

It was hard to imagine what kind of atrocities he would commit if he entered Chengdu, and what would happen if he fell into his hands.

I'm afraid that I can't express it, but I have to listen to His Majesty all the time and say it according to his heart, and these women are like this.

The officials are still mourning and panicking to themselves: "My father and son have managed the land of Shu for two generations, the people are obedient, and all the officials are obedient. In this dynasty, there are no loyal people in this Nuoda Shu land, and there is no one who is loyal to defend us. Foreign enemies?
How can Shi Congyun be satisfied?"

Mrs. Huarui is ice and snow smart, and she immediately understood the meaning behind His Majesty's words, and His Majesty was afraid.

In the past, His Majesty alone could decide whether they lived or died, and decided the life and death of everyone in Shu.

In her eyes, His Majesty is aloof and can only look up to her. His Majesty's will is like the will of God and cannot be disobeyed.

But for the first time, she discovered that His Majesty also had times of fear and panic.
She comforted: "Your Majesty has a broad heart. The ministers in the court and the people of Shu are all loyal to His Majesty. They will definitely be able to block Shi Congyun from the north. As long as Your Majesty gives an order, there will be countless strong men willing to serve His Majesty." Resist the enemy.

Moreover, the hundreds of officials and ministers in the court may be trying to find a way. At this time, His Majesty is the backbone of the country and the pillar of the subjects. Your Majesty must not tire himself out.

As long as we work together, we will always find a way to deal with Shi Congyun. "

After hearing her words, His Majesty's face became better, "But Shi Congyun has fought all the way to Jianzhou!"

"The courtiers and concubines don't know about military affairs, but I heard that the people of the region don't use the boundaries of the frontier, the country does not take the danger of mountains and streams, and the power of the world does not use the benefits of military revolution.

Your Majesty has always been a master of martial arts. As long as your Majesty and the subjects of the Shu Kingdom are united, they will be able to stop the powerful enemy. "

"Are you really so artificial?"

Mrs. Huarui nodded repeatedly.

His Majesty regained some of his blood, when the eunuch next to him just whispered: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Li Gong, who is in charge of the Privy Council, Yi Gong, etc., have been waiting outside for a long time, saying that they have something to see His Majesty."

His Majesty came back to his senses completely: "That's right, Concubine Ai said yes, my country of Shu is still loyal, they are all thinking about things for me, and they have the same heart as me.

Help me up. "

The eunuchs on both sides helped Meng Chang up.

"I'm going to see them and ask them what to do about it."

So Mrs. Huarui got up together, bid farewell to Meng Chang with several court ladies, watched him get on the dragon chariot, and was carried to the front hall by the crowd.

Seeing His Majesty going away, she felt mixed feelings for a moment. His Majesty's love for her was true, but her fear was also true. It was not only Shi Congyun who was afraid, but also His Majesty.

The more the country is ruined and the family is destroyed, the more difficult it is for these women to be. Many of them are forced to live in the deep palace all their lives. They don't know anything about the outside world. .

But His Majesty and everyone hope that if something happens, they can understand the righteousness and stick to the festival.

But the so-called righteousness, they have never seen or experienced it, most of them are just women who are kept in captivity in the palace by His Majesty and know nothing about it, where do they know about righteousness?
There is nothing else in their lives other than carefully currying obedience and saving their lives.

Mrs. Huarui is considered smart. She has some experience in the world, but she is only in Chengdu, so she can understand people's hearts and please His Majesty. However, there are tens of thousands of women in the palace, many of whom were forced into the palace at a young age. How could they know the outside world? The hardships and dangers of the world.

If Zhou Jun really came, it would be hard for her to imagine what it would be like here.
At that time, the fate of so many people may be just a word from Shi Congyun. For the first time, she understands what the so-called "changing the sky" means.

In the past few days, she has been eating poorly, and her whole body is getting thinner and thinner, but she still has to force a smile in front of His Majesty.

Back in her bedroom, the luxurious and luxurious glazed tables, chairs and beds are a symbol of doting. It is actually uncomfortable to use, but if His Majesty likes it, she must like it. She did not rest immediately, but has been waiting for news.

At dusk, she was a little drowsy and almost fell asleep, when an eunuch brought news from outside.

"Your Majesty became much calmer after going out, and there was some chaos in the court, but Li Hao and several other ministers came up with an idea after discussing with His Majesty.

It is to let the prince lead troops north to assist Wang Zhaoyuan. They all say that the prince is very talented and can take over Wang Zhaoyuan's position.

Moreover, the prince leading troops can also boost the morale of Shu and let more people see the majesty of the royal family. "The eunuch came back outside and told her what happened in the front hall.

Madam Huarui listened, "Has Your Majesty agreed?"

"accepted."

"Go and receive the reward." Mrs. Huarui said, and the eunuch left.

She thought to herself that the prince Meng Xuanzhe was also a young man in his 20s, and he seemed to be a capable person on weekdays. The ministers praised him so much, so he should be able to stop Shi Congyun.

(End of this chapter)