I studied in modern times

Chapter 730: Liao Army Enters Japan Again (1)

Gengzi in February of the second year of Yuanyou (seventeenth year).

In the city of Bianjing, a drizzle began to fall.

With the arrival of this rain, the Bian River returned to navigation.

Merchants traveling from the south and the north began to pour into Bianliang from all directions.

The boat that Cai Mao was on stopped at a stacking yard not far from Zhou Bridge.

At the stacking yard, someone was already waiting for him.

Cai Mao saw these people from afar.

There was his uncle Cai Shuo, his brother-in-law Feng Xun, and his uncle's son-in-law Wen Kangshi.

Of course, there are also his best friends from the past.

The current Hanlin scholar Xing Shu Xing Heshu!

When Cai Mao saw this, he felt delighted. As soon as the boat docked, he jumped onto the pier with one step, causing the Yuan followers behind him to scream.

This also caused relatives and friends on the embankment to shout and scream.

He just laughed: "What a fuss!"

When he was in Quanzhou, he went out to sea with merchants and faced wild storms in the waves of the sea.

So, we will greet all the relatives and friends.

He first came to his uncle Cai Shuo and bowed, saying, "My little nephew Mao, I pay my respects to my uncle!"

"Well, well, well..." Cai Shuo helped his nephew up and praised, "Big brother is becoming more and more brave."

Then he asked, "How is my elder brother?"

Cai Mao replied: "My uncle, my father is doing well in Quanzhou, but he always misses you!"

Cai Shuo suddenly laughed.

Cai Shuo's son-in-law Wen Kangshi took the opportunity to step forward and bowed: "Brother Zijian, how are you?"

Cai Mao hurriedly returned the greeting: "Brother Wen, how are you?"

Then he looked at his brother-in-law and asked, "Fourth brother, how is Lord Taishan?"

Feng Xun said, "My Lord, you are at home, and have been waiting for my brother-in-law to return to Beijing for a long time... Now that I see that my brother-in-law is fine, I can go back and report to my Lord with peace of mind!"

Cai Mao hurriedly said, "Thank you Taishan for your concern. It is my fault. I will personally come to the hall to apologize!"

At this time, Xing Shu narrowed his eyes, walked forward, and said with a folded hand: "Brother Zijian! You want to kill me!"

As he said this, he took the initiative to step forward, opened his arms, and hugged Cai Mao.

He and Cai Mao have a life-and-death friendship!
The friendship between the two has continued from their youth to the present day and has never faded due to their respective identities or status.

Cai Mao hugged Xing Shu tightly and said, "I missed Uncle He so much in Quanzhou!"

……

"Sir, Cai Zijian has returned to Beijing..."

Lu Xizhe's voice brought Lu Gongzhu back to reality from his contemplation.

Lu Gongzhu put down the book in his hand and solemnly put it in his arms.

"Cai Zijian? Cai Mao?" asked Lu Gongzhu.

"Hmm!" Lu Xizhe said, "Just now, Yuan Sui from Mr. Cai's family brought the letter that my fourth brother asked Cai Zijian to bring back..."

As he spoke, Lu Xizhe handed a letter to Lu Gongzhu.

Lu Gongzhu took the letter and opened it with a smile.

But his smile only stayed on his face for a moment and then disappeared instantly.

Because, in this letter, that unfilial son was asking him for policy again!

From last year to now, Lu Gongzhu has coordinated with the capital to transfer hundreds of officials from various places in the southeast to the Quanzhou Maritime Customs.

He even lost face and went to Zhang Heng to discuss the matter, asking the Ministry of Revenue to allocate hundreds of thousands of strings of cash.

But this unfilial son still wants policies and money.

They also said that the Quanzhou Maritime Customs had a bright future, with overseas merchants flocking to it. Within just a few months of the port being opened, the Maritime Customs had already earned tens of thousands of strings of cash.

How dare he say that!

Don’t even look at how much the investment is!
But, Lu Gongzhu had no choice.

The eldest son, Lu Xizhe, seemed to be about to run away with Wang Jiefu.

There is no hope!
The second son, Lu Xizhe, is loyal and honest, but he is too loyal and honest!

Therefore, he could only hope that his youngest son could bring honor to him and carry forward the family tradition and reputation of the Shouzhou Lu family.

"Sir, the person who delivered the letter to Cai Zijian's family also said that Cai Zijian wants to visit you the day after tomorrow..." Lu Xizhe came close to Lu Gongzhu and whispered.

When Lu Gongzhu heard this, he immediately understood Cai Mao's little thoughts.

It was simply that Cai Chi had been staying in Fujian for too long and missed Bianliang. He wanted to return to the center of the stage, so he wanted to find him to sound out the issue.

But how could Lu Gongzhu dare to interfere in such matters?
After thinking for a while, Lu Gongzhu said, "Go to Cai's residence tonight on my behalf and tell Cai Mao that I am too busy with government affairs to meet with guests!"

This is the truth!

Since returning from Han Jiang's residence two days ago, Lu Gongzhu has closed the door and refused to see visitors, even Li Chang, Fan Chunren and Lu Dafang.

He was only concentrating on studying the booklet that the government had given to him through Han Jiang.

In my spare time, I would look through the regulations of the three departments in the past.

"Yes!" Lu Xizhe nodded.

……

Taiyuan Prefecture.

Lu Huiqing was wearing official uniform and a wide-legged hat. He was in the courtyard of the Hedong Jinglüe and Anfusi office, burning incense and listening to the imperial edict brought by the eunuchs from Bian Jing.

"To Lü Huiqing: I know that you are a filial son, so I have not deprived you of your ambition for three years. I also recommend you for your talent, so I have waited thousands of miles to be my wise minister. I know that you are truly loyal, so I have summoned you to the court to inquire about state affairs!"

"Yes, you will be appointed as the Governor of Hedong and be granted the title of Grand Secretary of the Advisory Palace and Senior Advisor! Return to the court to report on your duties and consult on state affairs!"

After listening to this, Lu Huiqing respectfully faced the direction of the imperial city of Bianjing and bowed four times: "I respectfully obey your gracious orders!"

After receiving the imperial edict, Li Kui took the opportunity to put a piece of gold into the hands of the eunuch who came to deliver the imperial edict, and then asked in a low voice: "May I ask the angel, has the court decided who will succeed the commander of Hedong?"

The eunuch smiled and said, "How dare I ask about such a military and national matter?"

"However, before I left Beijing, I heard someone say that the palace was interested in having Liu Taiwei of Fuyan Road take over as the commander of the Hedong Commandery."

Lu Huiqing listened and nodded secretly.

The current governor and pacifier of Fuyan Road is Liu Changzuo, the commander-in-chief of the four wings of the Dragon God Guard.

This man is extremely brave and invincible. Whenever there is a battle, he always leads the soldiers and braves the enemy's attacks personally. He is indeed a good general.

He is the perfect person to take over for the generals in Hedong.

…In the second year of Yuanyou in the Song Dynasty and the third year of Da’an in the Liao Dynasty, February was Xinchou (18th).

Off the coast of Iki, Japan.

The new Iki Moritaira Masamori felt his calves trembling as he looked at the sails that appeared on the sea level and blocked out the sun.

His son, Taira no Tadamori, holding a samurai sword, led three or four hundred trembling samurai and lined up in front.

"Father..." Ping Zhongsheng turned around and asked, "What should we do?"

Ping Zhengsheng swallowed and was unable to speak.

He is now blaming himself very much. Why does he want to stand out so much?

It's okay now!
The Hengwu Ping clan, they had managed to gather such a small force, but I'm afraid they will all be destroyed here!
The fleet in the distance is getting closer and closer.

Ping Zhengsheng suddenly thought of something and threw the knife in his hand.

Ping Zhongsheng looked at his father stupidly.

Taira Masamori took off his shoes and clothes and walked barefoot towards the beach in Iki.

Then he prostrated himself on the ground, just like the Japanese peasants who knelt on the ground when they saw him.

This is the only way he can think of to survive!
no way!
The enemy is too strong!
He needs to save his strength for Shirakawain!
"If my warriors and I were to die in this battle..."

"The Fujiwara family is about to bully Shirakawa-in again!" Taira no Masamori said to himself and also answered Taira no Tadamori's question.

Although, he and his warriors only numbered about three hundred people.

Even in Heian-kyo, he was just one of the northern samurai loyal to Emperor Shirakawa.

The Heike clan is now just a samurai family in Ise, an eastern country in Japan.

It was only a few years ago that he started to become prominent in Heian-kyo. A few years ago, the Buddhist priests of Enryakuji Temple once again carried the Buddha statue into Heian-kyo to force a complaint. Taira Masamori and his sons and several brothers were ordered by the Grand Minister Fujiwara Nobunaga to protect Heian-kyo. They performed well in the process and were praised as brave generals!

As a result, he attracted the attention of Shirakawa-in and was promoted by the regent, Grand Minister Fujiwara Nobunaga, and gradually began to become prominent.

Therefore, the Kanmu and Taira clan of Ise were actually loyal to the regent family, the Fujiwara clan.

However, Taira Masamori still felt that he was a loyal subject of Shirakawa-in, and a very important one at that.

Without his protection, Shirakawa-in would be bullied by the Fujiwara family again sooner or later.

Last year, Liao soldiers chased Dao Yi to Japan, causing Heian-kyo to be shaken.

The regency politics, which was already at the end of its road, was heading towards its end.

Emperor Shirakawa came to power because he sent envoys to comfort the Liao soldiers and used diplomatic means to facilitate their withdrawal. In addition, the regent Fujiwara family was in internal strife, so he began to take power.

Under such circumstances, Emperor Shirakawa followed the example of his father: he took advantage of the situation to appoint his son Prince Yoshihito as Crown Prince, and immediately became a monk and abdicated, thus obtaining the same title of regent as the Fujiwara family.

Then he joined forces with Fujiwara no Michizane of the Fujiwara family to force Prime Minister Fujiwara no Nobunaga to abdicate.

Through this series of continuous political operations, Shirakawa-in successfully established the imperial government in Heian-kyo.

During this process, Taira no Masamori and his son also actively participated and successfully gained the trust of Emperor Shirakawa and Fujiwara no Motozane.

Therefore, when it came to rewarding people for their merits later, Fujiwara no Michizane, who had become the Left Minister and Regent, arranged for him to serve as the governor of Iki to guard against the Liao troops.

This is a kind of cultivation!
Because in the eyes of the Japanese nobles, the Liao troops had already retreated and would not come back in the short term.

Therefore, at this time, no matter who you are, as long as you stay in Iki for a year or two, you can accumulate a deep reputation and become a general that terrorizes Japan!
After that, promotion will be a natural progression.

Taira Masamori and his son thought the same, so after accepting the appointment, they immediately brought the entire Kanmu Taira samurai to Iki to take up their posts.

But... who would have thought...

The Liao soldiers are here again!

Can we win?

Ping Zhengsheng knew that he would never win.

Last year, the Liao army landed in Japan, looking down on everyone and destroying villages and homes. The scene is still vivid in our minds.

No matter what, Ping Zhengsheng didn't dare to fight against the Liao army who were like demons!

……

Xiao Budaya, wearing mountain armor and holding an iron mace, once again set foot on the land of Iki.

Hundreds of short Japanese soldiers, led by their general, knelt before him.

The leader of the group, speaking in a stiff Central Plains dialect, kowtowed and said, "The Japanese Iki no Kamihira Masamori pays homage to the Shogun..."

"Why did the unknown general lead his army to Japan?"

"You must know that our country's Baiheyuan has sent envoys to pay tribute to the emperor of the Liao Dynasty and swore to be a vassal..."

Xiao Budaya snorted twice and said, "I am Xiao Budaya, the Liao Dynasty's Pyongyang Recruiting Envoy!"

Ping Zhengsheng, who was kneeling on the ground, began to tremble when he heard the name.

Because, the evil star and demon who led his army to Kyushu last year seemed to be called this name!

"It turned out to be General Xiao..." Ping Zhengsheng tried hard to think of the words: "Why did the general return to Japan?"

"You are not honest!" Xiao Budaya raised his head and glared at the Japanese in front of him.

As a dynasty that claimed to be the successor of the Tang Dynasty.

Nowadays, the Liao people are very particular about their eating manners.

Even if you beat someone, you have to have a legitimate reason.

"Since you have submitted to the Emperor of Liao, why do you violate the rules of etiquette and call yourself the Emperor?"

At this point, Xiao Budaya widened his eyes and glared at the Japanese soldiers kneeling in front of him: "They are even using their own calendar and usurping the reign title in the country!"

"This is a crime of deceiving the emperor!"

Behind Xiao Budaya, hundreds of fully armed Liao soldiers immediately raised their spears, stepped forward, and shouted, "Guilty! Guilty!"

Ping Zhengsheng was frightened to death.

The warriors under his command were trembling in fear.

no way!
Each of the Liao soldiers in front of them looked like a giant.

The weapons in their hands and the armor on their bodies are magical weapons that they cannot even imagine.

He could only kowtow and say, "Misunderstanding... misunderstanding..."

"General, please forgive me, General, please forgive me!"

But I don't know whether he wants to explain the misunderstanding or apologize.

Xiao Budaye snorted, looked at the Japanese official who was so docile in front of him, and asked, "Do you want to live?"

Ping Zhengsheng looked at the gun tips that were pointed at him, flashing with cold light.

He also looked at those tall and burly Liao soldiers who looked like giants, and immediately nodded like chicks pecking at rice.

"Good!" Xiao Budaya laughed, "Then answer a few questions for this general!"

(End of this chapter)