The dream of a lonely hero

Zhao Pu said: "I think that now that the governors of the various vassal states have returned to the court, we should first take over all the prefectures and counties governed by the 49 vassal states mentioned by Shunyi, and then grant them high-ranking and apparently unmanaged sanitation officials, and let them live in the capital."

Chu Zhaopu said: "Zhongshu (Prime Minister Zhao Pu), haste makes waste! Don't be too hasty!"

Zhao Pu said: "Chu Zhizheng (the title of the Deputy Privy Envoy and the Assistant Minister of State Affairs) is now the time to confiscate the military power of the vassal states. The court has been pursuing the national policy of "taking their elite troops and controlling their money and grain" for several years. The local vassal states no longer have financial power, and the elite troops under their jurisdiction have been selected to the imperial court's imperial guards. Even if they want to compete with the court, they have no strength. Since the An-Shi Rebellion in the previous dynasty, The disaster of the rebellion and the vassal states lasted for two hundred years. We can learn from the past!" Zhao Kuangyin was relieved and said, "Zheping's words are exactly what I want! There are still fifteen vassal states. How did Shunyi deal with it?" Shen Shunyi said, "Fu Yanqing's Wei Bo vassal state has reduced half of its branch counties, and the remaining fourteen vassal states have reduced more than half." Looking at the unsatisfied expression of Emperor Zhao Kuangyin, he said ashamedly, "The old minister is stupid and has failed the grace of the emperor!" Zhao Kuangyin comforted him, "Shunyi has worked hard! It is not an easy task to reduce the vassal states in the past dynasties. We have to think carefully and look ahead and behind. For the long-term stability of my Song Dynasty, we can't be impatient or delay. Let's do it this way for now." Zhao Kuangyin then withdrew from the court.

It is said that when Anguo Jiedushi Li Weidong heard that the court was going to depose the vassal states under the jurisdiction of the Jiedushi, he was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot. He wanted to go through Weizhou Jiedushi Wei Wang Fu Yanqing, but he didn't expect that Fu Yanqing could not protect himself. After thinking about it, he had no choice but to find Prime Minister Zhao Pu. Li Weidong came to the Prime Minister's residence to explain that he wanted to visit the Prime Minister. He was led by the Prime Minister's gatekeeper to the gate of Yin'an Hall of the Prime Minister's residence, waiting for Zhao Pu to summon him. Li Weidong thought in his mind that when he saw the Prime Minister, he would not mention the matter of the court deposing the Zhijun first, but first said that his Anguo vassal state had just won a great victory in suppressing the bandits at Xima Mountain and Tiemang Mountain, and the court needed to replenish the soldiers, money, food, clothes and armor. He needed 8,000 soldiers, 107,000 strings of money, 47,000 stones of rice and flour, 8,300 sets of armor, and 48,000 pairs of military shoes. While he was thinking, the servant of Yin'an Hall of the Prime Minister's residence came to summon him. He straightened his clothes and hurried into the hall. Zhao Pu sat at his desk and put away the documents he had reviewed. Li Weidong greeted him. Zhao Pu told him to sit down. Li Weidong smiled and said, "I am really blind. Master, you are so busy, but I still disturb you!" He stood up and took out a one-foot-high jade Buddha from his arms. "I am just a warrior. This jade Buddha is really wasted in my hands. I hope you will not ask me to blaspheme the gods! Master, you have no other choice but to believe in Buddhism. Please offer it to me!" He put it on Zhao Pu's desk and then carefully returned to his seat.

The jade Buddha was finely carved from mutton-fat jade. It was crystal clear, warm and dense, translucent and pure, white and flawless, like solidified fat. It was the best jade and invaluable. Zhao Pu glanced at them and said, "Weidong, your Anguo vassal garrison must have suffered losses in suppressing the bandits at Xima Mountain and Tiemang Mountain, and needs supplies from the court. We need 8,000 soldiers, 107,000 strings of money, 47,000 dan of rice and flour, 8,300 sets of armor, and 48,000 pairs of military shoes. Is my guess correct?"”

Li Weidong was so frightened that he was sweating all over. He thought, these were all his own calculations that he had never told anyone. How could Prime Minister Zhao Pu calculate so accurately? He said in horror: "Ah-ah! Master--divine--divine!"

Zhao Pu said: "And you want to keep the branch counties under the jurisdiction of Anguo Fanzhen from being dismissed by the court?"

Li Weidong said in panic: "Ah-ah! I hope Master will understand my anxiety!"

Zhao Pu said: "I disappoint you. I can't help you with what you mentioned. Dismissing the branch counties of the Fanzhen is the established national policy of the emperor. Anyone who obstructs it is playing against the emperor!"

Li Weidong thought that he would become a powerless and idle official; adjusted his facial expression and said: "Looking at the affection of following Master for many years, I hope Master will find a place for me to settle down! "Stand up and bow.

Zhao Pu said: "Hey! Get up! You are not an outsider, why do you have to do this?"

Li Weidong stood up carefully.

Zhao Pu said: "You are a diligent minister of the court, and you are in your prime. Don't always focus on petty gains and be attached to beans in the warehouse. Look further. The three senior officials of the West Palace are not young anymore. The Yangtze River's back waves push the front waves. Don't be depressed!"

Li Weidong's heart lit up when he heard it. If he could enter the West Palace Privy Council and join the ranks of the ruling ministers, he would be in charge of the military affairs of the Song Dynasty and hold the tiger talisman to send troops. It can be said that he can be on par with the prime minister. He was excited and knelt down in a hurry, saying: "Thank you for your guidance, my teacher. I know that I am not qualified enough and I am afraid that I will fail my teacher's high expectations. I have to trouble my teacher to take care of it for me. ”

Zhao Pu said: "Weidong, don't underestimate yourself. I will help you, but the road to the West Palace depends on you."

Li Weidong said respectfully: "I beg you to teach me, Master."

Zhao Pu said: "There is an errand, I want to recommend you, I am afraid--" He looked hesitant.

Li Weidong was in high spirits and said: "Master, please speak frankly! I will do my job well even if I die."

Zhao Pu looked at the hall and saw that there was no one there. He whispered: "Go to Weizhou Fanzhen to investigate the intentional rebellion of Wei Wang Weizhou Jiedushi Fu Yanqing. This is of special concern to the emperor!"

Li Weidong said: "Master, don't worry! Although I am a disciple of Fu Yanqing, I can definitely distinguish right from wrong. ”

The next day, Zhao Pu secretly reported to the emperor Zhao Kuangyin, recommending Anguo Jiedushi Li Weidong to secretly investigate Fu Yanqing's deliberate rebellion. Zhao Kuangyin then issued a secret decree, ordering Anguo Jiedushi Li Weidong and Xishan Dushu Guo Jin to lead 50 detectives (secret agents) from the Wude Division to secretly go to Weizhou to secretly investigate Fu Yanqing's rebellion.

Speaking of which, Yan Feng, the deputy envoy of the Yanting Marquis's supply warehouse and the 42nd rank of the seventh rank, had nothing to do except accompany Yanting Marquis Zhao Dezhao to play Cuju. On this day, Yan Feng was on duty at the Marquis's mansion, and the doorman of the Marquis's mansion brought him a letter, which he opened and read carefully. After leaving the mansion, he changed into casual clothes, walked out of the Marquis's mansion, turned around and around along the street, and entered an inconspicuous and secluded Sunjialou Hotel, and entered a pavilion (private room). There was a table of wine and food in the pavilion, and a man in his thirties sat at the table.He had a fair complexion, three teeth covering his mouth and a bared beard, and he was tall and thin with broad shoulders and a handsome appearance. Yan Feng hurriedly stepped forward to salute and said, "My humble servant Yan Feng pays respect to the hall official!"

This is Hu Zan, the rear official of the Xiangfu Hall and the general of the cavalry. Hu Zan said, "No need to be polite! Take a seat." Yan Feng sat down cautiously and said, "My lord, please tell me if you have anything to say."

Hu Zan said, "Yan Feng is now a seventh-rank brigade commander of the Yanhou Mansion, no need to be humble!"

Yan Feng said, "This is all thanks to my lord Hu! If it weren't for your recommendation, I wouldn't be here today!" He stood up and bowed to him, then took out the white jade Pulao and said, "Please accept it, lord!" Every time he met Hu Zan, he would always present him with rare treasures.

Hu Zan smiled and put away the white jade Pulao, saying, "No need to do this in the future! We are all old friends."

Yan Feng was flattered and didn't know what to say, so he sat down slowly.

Hu Zan said: "In the future, Hu will have to rely on the protection of Yan Lushuai!"

Yan Feng was about to stand up when Hu Zan gently held him down.

Yan Feng said in confusion: "My Lord, you are making fun of me. I am the right-hand man of the Prime Minister. I am just not a seventh-rank idle official in the Marquis of Yan Ting's Mansion!"

Hu Zan smiled and said: "Let's not talk about it. I recommended you to the Marquis of Yan Ting's Mansion for you and for myself."

Yan Feng was even more confused.

Hu Zan said: "Who is Zhao Dezhao, Marquis of Yan Ting?"

Yan Feng agreed and laughed: "My Lord! Zhao Dezhao, Marquis of Yan Ting, is the eldest son of the current emperor. Everyone in the world knows it."

Hu Zan said: "No! Now almost everyone in the world has forgotten that Zhao Dezhao, Marquis of Yan Ting, is the eldest son of the current emperor, including you!"

Yan Feng still looked at him in confusion.

Hu Zan said: "Marquis Yan Ting has no position and power now. The court and the public are all paying attention to the two brothers of the emperor, the King of Jin and the King of Fu. After all, Marquis Yan Ting is the eldest son of the emperor. Who will own the world of Song Dynasty in the future?"

Yan Feng tried to say: "It has been like this since King Yu passed down the throne from father to son to Shang, Zhou, Han and Tang."

Hu Zan said: "Then you, the seventh-rank brigade commander today, will be a minister of the dragon in the future, wearing a dragon robe and jade belt and holding a tablet, and everyone in the world will admire you!"

Yan Feng was excited in his heart, but he was still sober and said: "Yes-Yes!"

Hu Zan encouraged him, saying: "You and I are not outsiders, just speak your mind."

Yan Feng said: "Uncle is strong and nephew is weak. Even if Marquis Yan rules the world in the future, it will be difficult to control him. King Jin, King Fu."

Hu Zan looked at him and said, "I've seen you in a new light after not seeing you for three days. Yan Lushuai is indeed far-sighted! Although King Fu is now in the upper hand, he is just a rich kid and is not to be feared! King Jin, what do you think?"

Yan Feng said, "I followed the Marquis of Yan to Dingzhou and saw that the King of Jin recruited many people, including advisers and warriors. If this continues, the Marquis of Yan will not be able to ascend to the throne in the future."

Hu Zan laughed, "Haha! Hu was right about the Marquis of Yan! You and I think alike."

Yan Feng said, "Lord Hu, what should I do?"

Hu Zan said, "Give the King of Fu a helping hand and completely move to the King of Jin. You don't have to worry about the loss of one and the loss of the other. The King of Fu will not succeed after all.Climate!"

Yan Feng thought: "What weight does a small idle position in a marquis's mansion have? Even if I can persuade the Marquis of Yan, the power that the Marquis of Yan can use is minimal."

Hu Zan said: "What the brigade commander said is not without reason. A brave man fights, but a wise man plans. It is better to take it by force than by strategy. What the Marquis of Yan lacks is a wise man! You have been to Dingzhou and helped the King of Jin to suppress the bandits. You have heard of the 'Three Commoners of Dingzhou', right?"

Yan Feng said: "I have heard that the King of Jin suppressed the Tianlang Mountain Golden Spear Society with the strategy of the 'Three Commoners of Dingzhou', but two of them, Cheng Xu and Jia Xuan, have been appointed to remote places."

Hu Zan said: "What about the other one?"

Yan Feng said: "There is also a Xun Yi who is the ninth-rank Imperial College student in the capital, but he was once a counselor of the King of Jin! ”

Hu Zan said: "Don't worry, as far as I know, Xun Yi and King Jin are not on good terms. As long as the Marquis of Yan invites Xun Yi to help him, there will be no worries about success!"

Yan Feng thought, and said: "Is what Lord Hu said the intention of the Prime Minister?"

Hu Zan panicked and the wine glass in his hand fell to the ground.

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