Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

【six years ago】

In May of the eighth year of Taizu Kaibao, in the palace, Taizu was sitting in the Chongzheng Hall reviewing memorials, and Defang brought Baili to the hall, "My ministers kowtowed to my father."

"Defang, don't be too polite, come to the father's side."

"Yes, father." Defang walked to Taizu, and Taizu picked up a memorial "Defang, take a look"

Defang took it with both hands, opened it and looked at it, "Royal Father, this is the booklet that General Guo asked for a reward for the sergeant."

"Yes, but the emperor doesn't know whether to reward him or not."

"Father, General Guo Zhezi said that the school lieutenant Wu Lie fought bravely and defeated the 500 soldiers and horses of the Northern Han Dynasty with only [-] people.

It should be. "

"This matter alone deserves a reward, but, do you know that this Wu Lie once falsely accused General Guo?"

"False accusation?"

"Well, General Guo Jin has always been strict in running the army and will not allow anyone to break the law, but this Wu Lie regarded himself as a captain and gave two bags of military rations to his relatives. Later, General Guo Jin found out and fined him five hundred dollars. , and beat thirty army sticks, Wu Lie felt ashamed and held a grudge in his heart. He even went to Beijing with a report letter and falsely accused General Guo Jin of wrongdoing. Return to the barracks and hand it over to General Guo."

"Then Wu Lie is really too bad. He committed a crime and even falsely accused a meritorious general. General Guo should really teach him a lesson."

"Yes, everyone thinks so, but it just so happened that when the Northern Han Dynasty sent troops to attack suddenly, General Guo said to Wu Lie that if you dare to sue me to the emperor, it shows that you are very brave, and I will not punish you. You have five hundred soldiers and horses, as long as you can kill the Northern Han army, I will ask the court for a reward for you." Taizu said, "This Wu Lie actually took the military order and went to battle with 500 people. The result is not good. In an hour, he had defeated four thousand enemy soldiers and fled, so General Guo wrote the note himself, asking Wu Lie to bring the note to Beijing, and ask me to reward him."

"So that's how it is..." Defang thought for a while, "Father, Wu Lie falsely accused the general, which is a serious crime, but killing and repelling the enemy soldiers is indeed a military merit, and I believe that the merits and demerits can be offset."

Taizu patted Defang, "Defang's thinking was the same as that of his father. His father said to Wu Lie at that time: You once falsely accused a loyal minister and good general who framed me. It is good that this military merit can be used to pay off the crime. You still want to reward him. So my father The emperor sent this Wu Lie back to General Guo."

"Father is really wise."

"Hehehe, but Defang, General Guo wrote this notebook again." Taizu picked up another notebook, "Look at it."

Defang opened the notebook again and looked at "A man cannot stand without faith..."

Taizu asked, "Defang, do you think General Guo is right?"

"Father, General Guo is right, people should keep their word."

Taizu nodded, "Well, General Guo is a general guarding the border, and everyone must be convinced by what he says and does. Military laws must be strict, but the words of the general must also be honest, so that the soldiers can be honest."

"Yes, Father"

"Defang, do you think the father wants to reward Wu Lie?"

"The reward is the grace of the emperor, how can the son speak nonsense."

"Father will decide at his own discretion, but now Father wants to hear your opinion, so let's talk."

"Yes, my father" Defang handed over his hand, "My son thinks that my father can approve General Guo's request. First, General Guo will be able to gain trust. Second, it will show my father's benevolence and love for talents. Third, Wu Lie will be more generous." If you are loyal, you will definitely make great achievements again, so my Great Song Dynasty will also win another warrior."