Shu Chen

Chapter 195 Unfinished business

The snow this year is a bit bizarre.

During the first month of spring, there was not a single game, but just after entering February, the heavy snow did not stop for a few days.

When it entered late spring and March, it cleared up all of a sudden.

This sudden cold and warm weather is a kind of torture to any elderly person.

General Wei Zhao Yun is like this.

Even last year he was still able to lead an expedition, but this year he has been bedridden since the beginning of spring.

It has been dragged on and off for two months, and there has been no sign of improvement.

The doctor tried his best, and even the imperial physician Ling who was far away in Chengdu was recruited by Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, but he was still at a loss.He just said something very cryptically: "Shou is determined by God, and it's not up to you at all."

As a result, although everyone is mentally prepared, it is also sad.

But Zhao Yun, who is the person involved, is very open-minded.

He also comforted the two sons Zhao Tong and Zhao Guang who were rushed to Hanzhong by permission of the emperor Liu Chan and the prime minister Zhuge Liang, saying, "When people get old, there will always be such a day."

When the words fell, there was also regret in my heart.

Everyone has a day like this, but few are prepared for it.

For example, he hasn't seen the Han army enter the Guanzhong, and then become the king and hegemony that the former Gaozu entered the world.

oh~~~
Zhao Yun on the sickbed lost a lot of weight.

The cheekbones are slightly protruding, making the cheeks deeply sunken, making the beard look especially messy and long.

He was covered with a thick quilt and wrapped in many animal furs, and there were many braziers in the room.The bright red charcoal fire could not continue his life fire, but it made his face flushed and he was able to sit up.

Let all the people present shed tears again, unable to bear to look directly.

They all knew what the red light on Zhao Yun's face meant.

He himself knew what he was about to face.

So there was a smile.

Looking at the children and grandchildren before the sick bed, he slowly gave his last advice.

For example, Zhao Tong, the eldest son who is about to become the patriarch of the Zhao family, told him about the responsibilities of the family and the responsibility of the patriarch.

For example, he told Zhao Guang, the second son who had been serving as a cavalry governor in the army, that loyalty and filial piety were difficult to achieve; on the grounds that Zhao Tong could observe the funeral, he was ordered to only observe filial piety for a hundred days, and not to forget the imperial court's Northern Expedition because of private affairs.

For example, he gave gentle encouragement to the young grandchildren brought by Zhao Tong from Chengdu, letting them be diligent in learning, self-improvement, and virtue.

Yes, Zhao Yun already has grandchildren.

Among the first batch of Yuan Cong of the first emperor Liu Bei, only Zhao Yun was considered a long-lived person who could see his grandchildren.

Although he died of old age on the bed, not the heroism of the horse leather shroud on the battlefield; but he served in Hanzhong County, the gate of the country, to the last moment, it is also a kind of relief of "living up to the loyalty of the late emperor and the kindness of the court".

That's why, after he told the family affairs, he said goodbye to the prime minister Zhuge Liang who had heard the news.

"Prime Minister, I'll take a step first."

At this moment, Zhao Yun, the red light on his face had dissipated a lot, and he lay down on the couch again, holding the prime minister's hand, and said intermittently, "The Northern Expedition has not been completed, and the late emperor's wishes have not been fulfilled, so everything will be done by the prime minister." gone."

The voice is very calm, and the words are very unwilling.

It also made the prime minister burst into tears.

When the first emperor Liu Bei was in his infancy, he followed the entrepreneurial veterans who traveled from north to south, but now Zhao Yun is the only one.

There will soon be no one else.

Clenching his hands tightly, the prime minister suppressed the sadness in his heart, tried to squeeze out a smile, and paused every word, "Okay, Zilong is at ease, I will live up to the late emperor's wish!"

"Heh~~~"

Zhao Yun, who heard it clearly, grinned in relief and squeezed out a word with some difficulty, "Good."

Immediately, he slowly closed his eyelids.

It was the tenth year of Jianxing, 232 A.D., at the end of March in spring.

It's a pity that Zhao Zilong, who is a coward, also left grudges in the ruthless years.

Summer April, early.

On Qishan Road, Zheng Pu and Zhang Bao rode their horses and galloped back to Hanzhong County.

Condolences.

According to Zhao Yun's will, the cemetery was chosen in Hanzhong County.

In his words, he could not see the big man enter Guanzhong, so he should be buried in Hanzhong County and wait for that day to come.

The emperor Liu Chan, who was far away in Chengdu, followed his wish after getting the prime minister's endorsement.

Since I went to Huiling, the first emperor, to pay homage, I also sent guards to escort the eight-year-old emperor Liu Sui to Hanzhong to pay homage to Hanzhong, as a token of my kindness and righteousness, because of Zhao Yun's savior in the battle of Dangyang in the past.

Generals in the army in various places in Longyou, if their responsibilities cannot be separated, do not send their assistants or family members to pay tribute to the funeral or send condolences.

Those like Zheng Pu and Zhang Bao who are currently stationed in the army to rest, naturally came to pay their respects.

Not for the sake of the world, but for the sincere heart of the old general Zhao.

At the end of the funeral, Zhao Tong and Zhao Guang answered the ceremony.

But Zheng Pu looked at the haggard two, opened his mouth, and wanted to say something comforting, but found that he didn't seem to have anything to say.

I am used to seeing men in the army of life and death, and I will become reticent.

Because I know the powerlessness of words.

Sighing, he patted Zhao Guang on the shoulder, and said softly to Zhao Tong, "Master Wang has set the Central Plains Day in the north, and don't forget to tell your lord for family sacrifices."

But he didn't want to, these words made the eyes of the two of them slightly moist again.

Maybe they didn't expect that Zheng Pu also knew Zhao Yun's regrets before he died.

Zhao Tong, who has less friendship, solemnly saluted and thanked him.

And Zhao Guang, who had lived and died together a long time ago, nodded slightly, and replied in a hoarse voice, "To conquer the Central Plains, I would like to encourage Zijin together."

Alas, the dead are dead, and the living should be like this.

Living well, walking the unfinished road for the deceased, and fulfilling the unfulfilled long-cherished wish, that is the best comfort for the deceased.

Three days later, Zheng Pu and Zhang Bao set foot on their way home.

The prime minister governed the army strictly, and all generals were not allowed to leave the camp for a long time without orders.

Although the two of them have nothing to do now, the journey to and from Hanzhong has consumed a lot of time. If they return later, they may give others facts and be criticized by others.

Some things can be avoided.

And in three days, it was enough for them to meet everyone they wanted to see.

Needless to say, Zhang Bao has been surrounded by the eldest son of the emperor, Liu Zhen, for the past few days.

Empress Zhang has always been childless, and Liu Sui's biological mother was the queen's servant, and she was the first to marry from Zhang's mansion.

After all, the Zhang family is also Liu Sui's uncle's family.

Therefore, Queen Zhang has always treated him as her own son.

Or in other words, for the good of both parties, Liu Sui must also recognize the Zhang family as his uncle's family.

In the past few days, Zheng Pu stayed with Zhao Guang all night with the friendship of his robes; on the second day, he went to see if his family members were in need of money on behalf of Zhou Tai; Talk about the long-farewell relationship between master and apprentice, etc., nothing else matters.

As for the prime minister, he didn't go to see him.

The prime minister has a lot of affairs on weekdays. If there is something to ask him, he will naturally send someone to call him. If not, don't take the initiative to bother him.

Otherwise, now that there is a war between the imperial court and Ni Wei, there are so many officials who come to Hanzhong to mourn the funeral, and everyone goes to see the prime minister, how can the prime minister have time to act?

With this in mind, he and Zhang Bao rode their horses to Longyou in the morning glow.

But he didn't want to. When he just arrived in Mianyang County, he found that Fu Qian, who stayed with the prime minister as a secretary, had been waiting on the official road for a long time.

Not a farewell.

Instead, he was sent by the prime minister and called Zheng Pu to meet him at another office in the city.

Why is the prime minister looking for me?

Somewhat surprised in his heart, Zheng Pu asked Zhang Bao to lead the other followers to slow down, and he hurriedly drove his horse to the city.

After entering the other office, Zheng Pu found that the prime minister, whom he hadn't seen for half a year, had black and white hair on his head without an e-crown, and his cheeks were slightly sunken, showing the deep decree lines even more.

Suddenly he was much older.

Also haggard a lot.

Perhaps, it was because of the sad death of General Zhao, and the trouble caused by the recent dispute over the prefect of Xiping.

"Pu, meet the prime minister."

Zheng Pu bowed his head and saluted respectfully.

"Don't be too polite, sit down."

The Prime Minister's voice was still as gentle as ever, but with a touch of fatigue.

"promise."

In response, Zheng Pu stepped to the side seat and sat down.

As soon as Duan sat down on his knees, the prime minister's voice came over and asked, "I asked the imperial court official to push Xiping prefect, why didn't Zijin speak up?"

Ok?
With the wisdom of the prime minister, why do you still ask questions knowingly?
Hearing this, Zheng Pu raised his head in surprise.

I was stunned for a moment before I realized it, and I cupped my hands and answered, "Prime Minister, I have been leading troops in expeditions all year round. I don't know how to govern the herdsmen, and I don't know the merits of other bureaucrats, so I dare not speak nonsense."

"Um"

After the prime minister listened, he made a slight nasal sound.

Uncompromising, he closed his eyes and thought for a moment, but then urged, "Although I don't know the strengths and weaknesses of others, but Zijin has been an official for many years, and he is familiar with other officials. Let's try to say, let's recommend someone."

uh~~~
This time, Zheng Pu was stunned.

He didn't know why the prime minister insisted on his nomination.

It's even more unclear. Could it be that he has no selfish intentions and wants to stay out of the matter, so the prime minister can't see it?

Seeing that he was dumbfounded, the prime minister couldn't help but twitched his eyebrows, waved his hands, and said in relief, "Zijin is at ease, I have the right to make references, so don't worry too much. Well, there are three recommended by all the officials. I think Zijin I know it. Let me tell you, which of these three is more suitable? Or is there another choice?"

If it's just for reference, I can say it bluntly.

"promise."

Responding hand over again, Zheng Pu thought for a while, then slowly replied, "Returning to the Prime Minister, Pu secretly thought that there are many Qiang tribes in the Huangshui River Valley, and they are all unstable people; and the West Sea is the habitat of the Qiang species. The land is now a vassal of our great Han. If the leader of the county is someone who is highly respected, and if he is not a judge of justice, then there will be long-term peace and stability. Therefore, Pu believes that General Liao should be the best among all the officers and assistants. However If you don't stick to these three, Pu thinks that Xue Maochang can let him go."

"Xue Maochang?"

Suddenly, a strange color flashed in the prime minister's eyes.

After repeating a sentence, he stroked Hu lightly to think for himself.

Xue Maochang is Xue Yong.

A native of Xiang County, Peiguo, Yuzhou.His father, Xue Lan, used to serve in Yanzhou Biejia, and was a general under the command of Wen Hou Lu Bu, but was attacked and killed by Cao Cao when he was stationed in Juye.

Therefore, after losing his father, he followed the first emperor Liu Bei.

It can also be regarded as Yuan Cong, whose qualifications are similar to those of Wei Yan, Chen Dao and others.

He used to lead the army as a general, but today, after his son Liu Chan ascended the throne, he became a herdsman.

For example, in the past, the prime minister treated You Chu kindly in order to show the great Han's kindness to the scholars of Liangzhou, and moved his home to Shu, and the prefect of Shu County who was awarded was the successor of Xue Yong.

That is to say, what Zheng Pu proposed can be regarded as making up for the blank that no one recommended the Yuan Cong Department.

Moreover, Xue Yong's temperament is quite lenient, and he judges things fairly, which can make Li Shu yearn for the kindness of the court, which is also considered a good choice.

Naturally, there are also shortcomings.

His military skills are not good.

Xiping County is a border county, and there are many wars.If he is the prefect, he must be accompanied by a long history assistant who knows the soldiers; or a general will be stationed in the local area to guard the edge of the town.

This is the ingenuity of Zheng Pu's recommendation.

Since it involves Silk Road trade, all parties want to occupy it, why not divide the power here into two.

Yuan Cong, who is the most loyal to the great Han, is the prefect to take over the power and ensure the stability of Xiping County; then, in the form of a round town, select the guard generals from the other three factions to distribute the benefits evenly.

"I know the reason why Zijin mentioned it."

When he was young, the prime minister nodded with satisfaction, and sighed slightly, "However, Mao Chang is a bit old. He has followed the late emperor for a long time, and he has worked hard. If he uses it, he is afraid that others will ridicule the court for his lack of sympathy." The benevolence of the veteran."

"Shu Pu disagrees with what the prime minister said."

Zheng Pu grinned and said, "When Pu was in Shu, he heard that the scholars praised him, claiming that Xue Yifu, the son of Xue Maochang, has a fatherly style, so he can be his successor."

His son Xue Qi?

Is this intended to take over the father's position as a son in the future, and let Xue Yong serve the family plan wholeheartedly?
Oh, sure enough.

The way of planning covers a wide range, not limited to military battles.

Perhaps, this is the reason why he did not participate in the election of the prefect of Xiping, and wanted to stay out of it.

Involuntarily, the prime minister thought about it for a moment, and nodded slightly, "Well, I'll consider the choice of prefect and discuss it with others. Zijin's army is in Longyou, so we can't leave for a long time, let's go back."

"No. Pu resigns."

Hearing this, Zheng Pu hurriedly got up to say goodbye.

After leaving the other office, he stepped on his horse and caught up with Zhang Bao who was going ahead. He didn't even understand the prime minister's intention to find him.

It is impossible for the prime minister to ask him to recommend candidates for the prefect for no reason.

But if you want to see whether he has selfishness, it doesn't make sense.His refusal to support the people promoted by the Yizhou scholars was originally a manifestation of his intention to seek personal gain.

Is it really just to let him know a thing or two?
However, many important officials in the court are in Hanzhong and Longyou. They have served longer and are more familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of other officials. Why ask me to refer to them?
Very strange!
The perplexed Zheng Pu simply didn't think about it anymore.

Anyway, he only wanted to lead the army, and he didn't stop at leading the army. As for other things, the prime minister said that he should refer to them for details.

But what he didn't know was that the reference in the prime minister's mouth clearly indicated that he was the candidate for the prefect of Xiping, but he actually wanted to "review" whether he was good at checks and balances.

The death of Zhao Yun made the prime minister suddenly realize that he was already at an age where he was used to life and death.

The first emperor said, "A person who is fifty is not called young."

He was already over fifty, and he watched all the way. Many of his former colleagues withered before they turned fifty.Especially recently, he has started to experience the symptoms of stomach qi and loss of appetite as he had before Nanzheng.

But the Northern Expedition was only four years old.

Although the military battle has achieved remarkable results, it is still too slow compared to his age.

The achievements of the Northern Expedition have not yet been completed, and the wishes of the late emperor have not yet been fulfilled.

Before Zhao Yun died, he could still be called "all the prime minister's troubles", but if he had "one step ahead", who could he be called?

Time does not wait for me, and there will be a follow-up.

This is why the prime minister wanted to see Zheng Pu in detail.

As a result, he was quite satisfied.

(End of this chapter)