Warrior in Turbulent Han Dynasty

Not long after, the eunuch Cao Tai went out of the palace to handle errands, and went straight south to see Guo Shao. ∈,

At this time, Li Jing, the overlord of the southern capital of the Southern Tang Dynasty (Nanchang), died of a serious illness. Civil and military officials in the Southern Capital led officials from all over the country to surrender.

In the Yamen of the Jiangning City Government, Guo Shao made a special trip to ask someone to set up a mourning hall, hang white flags on the doors and windows, and pay homage to the Supreme Lord of the Southern Tang Dynasty, and invited officials from all levels of the Jiangning Prefecture to attend. There were a lot of people who came. This was an invitation letter signed by Zhou Jun's coach Guo Shao, and it was to pay homage to Li Jing. It was inconvenient for civil officials of any position to refuse.

Guo Shao, Wang Pu and the generals stood under the eaves next to the hall, and greeted the officials from the Southern Tang Kingdom who came one after another. More and more people came.

At the turn of February and March, several plum trees planted in the courtyard of the government office were in full bloom with white flowers, which were set against the white banner cloth paper money, and the white petals that had bloomed to the extreme were scattered from the trees. This scene even in spring is a bit bleak and sad. There were also a few soldiers who came with scorpions, cranes and scorpions, and the officials all looked sideways, curious to see what those people were digging holes in the courtyard of the government office.

Because it was a mourning hall, Guo Shao and others naturally couldn't just laugh casually. During the etiquette, everyone kept a straight face, and the atmosphere was solemn and low.

At this moment, I saw a bearded man in sackcloth and filial piety coming from the gate, who is it not Han Xizai? Seeing his attire, Li Gu's expression suddenly changed, while Guo Shao watched him calmly.

Han Xizai walked to the entrance of the lobby, ignored Guo Shao and Zhou Junwenwu who were standing under the eaves, knelt down on the ground with a "plop", and burst into tears, crying and chanting sadly, more sad than the death of his parents.

The people on Zhou Jun's side suddenly discussed in an uproar, and Dong Zunhui looked annoyed. Guo Shao hurriedly turned his head and glared at Dong Zunhui, but everyone didn't move, they looked at Han Xizai who was wearing mourning and mourning there and cried.

Guo Shao really didn't understand how people could be so sad. The old master gave him a favor. If you think rationally, everyone should be grateful, which is the so-called loyalty and filial piety advocated by people. But the master is not a father and mother after all, and they don't get along day and night, so how can such deep feelings come from? Anyway, in Guo Shao's case, this kind of situation can't make you sad at all... Maybe the ancient people's emotional factors are not the same as Guo Shao's.

The Southern Tang Kingdom has become the Great Zhou, and Han Xizai is still crying for the old master, which really embarrasses the civil and military of the Great Zhou.

However, Guo Shao did not stop Han Xizai at this time, and he felt that it was not a bad thing: the officials of the Southern Tang Dynasty, everyone is a shameless person, even though many of them want to face the reality and continue to serve as officials in the name of the Great Zhou court, but on the surface, they still want to talk about loyalty to the old master; if Han Xizai does not show nostalgia and fear of power, how will he maintain his reputation in the scholarly circle? Since Guo Shao is determined to win over Han Xizai, he just thinks he is useful; if Han Xizai is notorious and cannot call on the princes, what's the use of attracting him?

At this time, Guo Shao walked up to Han Xizai with a gentle face, supported Han Xizai with his own hands, and said with a sigh: "The deceased is gone, and Han Gong is in mourning."

Han Xizai was helped up, still wiping his tears and sobbing...Damn it, Guo Shao would have laughed out loud if he hadn't held back desperately! Because the appearance in front of him was too funny, a big bearded man in his fifties crying his nose sadly because of grievances, it was really unbearable.

Seeing this scene, the countless officials below not only did not smile, but all of them were sad, and some were sighing.

Outside the door, a sapling was carried into the yard. Guo Shao then walked out from under the eaves and walked to the side of the earth pit in the yard, and the sapling was also carried to the side. Everyone watched, and someone whispered... That pit was for planting trees, and finally understood its use. But everyone may also feel strange, what kind of tree will be planted at the funeral?

Wang Pu and others looked at Guo Shao calmly, and no one asked.

"Everyone..." Guo Shao raised his voice, looking back and speaking. Everyone's attention was attracted and they paid attention to him. After all, everyone is curious and wants to find out what Guo Shao wants to do.

"The former lord of the Southern Tang Dynasty ruled the south of the Yangtze River for more than ten years, and now he has passed away. I would feel deeply sorry to hear the news, and I can understand your sorrow." Guo Shaodao said, "In the past, the world was in chaos, and the heroes divided the land and divided the rivers and mountains. The Li family of the Southern Tang Kingdom guarded one side of the land, so that the soldiers and the people in the south of the Yangtze River did not suffer from the fire of war. It should be able to teach the world how to feel."

When everyone heard what Guo Shao said, most of them were puzzled. Do the conquerors still say good things about the subjugated?

Guo Shao said calmly: "However, Huaxia is originally a family, and the melee of dividing borders is only a temporary period. The civil war should not continue indefinitely. Today, the people have been fighting for a long time, and the unification is mighty. The unity of the countries is the will of God and the people's hearts. Everyone, don't forget righteousness because of loyalty. People in the south of the Yangtze River have indeed lost their country, but they have not. internal friction. Which is more important, the state or the world in a corner of the country?"

After Guo Shao finished speaking, he slapped a few times, and some came over with shovels, and distributed them to the crowd, and Guo Shao also took one. He also personally stepped forward to deliver the shovel, and some officials did not dare to refuse and accepted it. There must be a gap between the nobles of the Southern Tang Dynasty and the generals of the Zhou army who destroyed the country, but after all, the two sides have been in contact for a long time, and they are still polite on the surface.

"Shovel the soil, let's plant this tree in the yard of Jiangning Mansion."

Guo Shao first shoveled a small shovel of soil into the pit, and everyone didn't want to disrespect him too much, so they all helped plant trees, and planted a tree together. This is a bit new.

Everyone hurriedly planted the saplings into the pit, and Guo Shao calmly scooped water from the bucket in front of everyone. When everyone felt bored, Guo Shao took the ladle and said, "I thought that the empire is like a tree. It is a living thing. The living thing will take root, grow, and get sick. Today, the Shu Kingdom and the Southern Tang Dynasty belonged to the Great Zhou Dynasty one by one. We|Dynasty has an empire seedling, and the people of the world will govern it. If you water the sapling, it will grow and prosper, and the Han and Tang Dynasties will flourish. If you water it, the living things will get sick and wither. The princes and I plant the tree of this empire, and we should work together to rule the place together."

When Guo Shao spoke, his expression was sincere and his voice was full of emotion. After hearing this, the generals of the Zhou army clapped their hands and applauded. The officials of the Southern Tang Kingdom understood the meaning of planting trees together at this time, and they looked at each other in dismay.

After Guo Shao finished his statement, he said a few more words, and immediately left the lobby yard with his entourage.

When it came to the camp of the Chinese army, Wang Pu praised: "What an empire is like a tree. General Guo's metaphor is very appropriate. Throughout the ages, how many dynasties were strong at first, but then declined because of lack of benevolent government; there are also many kings who worked hard to govern, and only then have prosperity and revival. Living things will not remain unchanged, good!"

Guo Shao sat down on the chair and said with a smile, "Han Xizai was originally a scholar from the north, and the Southern Tang Dynasty was destroyed. I guess he was willing to submit after weighing the pros and cons. It's just that everyone in the world is constrained by his reputation and public opinion, so he has no choice but to do so."

After hearing this, several people nodded in agreement.

Guo Shao said solemnly: "However, since we are sincere in wooing, we have to think more about others. Even if Han Xizai is tempted, he is not willing to bear the blame. I thought of a way to help him."

He said while looking at Li Gu: "There is a picture "Han Xizai's Evening Banquet Picture" in the imperial palace of the Southern Tang Dynasty.

To put it this way: Han Gong was loyal to the Southern Tang Dynasty, only because his wise political opinions were not reused. In fact, he is a famous official with a heart and a loyal heart..."

Li Gu was very excited after hearing this, and said: "General Guo is indeed a close friend of Mr. Han, and Mr. Han is such a person in the first place!"

"Yes, this is not a fabrication, it is a fact." Guo Shao said seriously, "But in order to let more people know, this is a bad idea, let merchants with more knowledge to help, start from the painting."

Li Gu nodded in agreement.

Guo Shao immediately said: "The Southern Capital has surrendered, and the entire territory of the Southern Tang Kingdom belongs to the Great Zhou. There is no need to use a large army here. The Imperial Army will return to the court in the near future. I think it is more appropriate for Li Gong to stay and preside over the situation."

Li Gu cupped his fists and said, "We should do our best."

Guo Shao said again: "Cao Bin restrained the garrison, and Gao Yanchou's Jiannan Army will also stay temporarily. Let Cao Bin do a good job. After returning to the court, I will definitely ask for credit for him and will not treat him badly."

Wang Pu and Li Gu nodded. Wang Pu seemed to have something to say, but Guo Shao didn't speak for the time being, and looked sideways at him. Wang Pu said: "This time, Wuyue Kingdom did their best to attack the Tang Dynasty. I withdraw the troops first, so I can show a benevolent demeanor."

Guo Shao understood what Wang Pu meant. It happened that the army was in the south of the Yangtze River, and it was also a threat to the Wuyue Kingdom. The combination of kindness and power could help them plot more territories... However, Guo Shao was preparing to go back and proclaim himself emperor, so he couldn't take care of Wuyue Kingdom for the time being. The remaining places in the south have relatively weak military strength, and I am afraid that they dare not make any rash moves under the strength of the Great Zhou. The threat is already very small.

Li Gudao: "If there are officials from the Wuyue Kingdom who come to the Jiangning Mansion nearby to make friends, I will not threaten with force. I will only say that the court is doing good work and treating people kindly. I will persuade them to submit to the land and come to the court of the Great Zhou Dynasty to become a marquis and worship officials."

Guo Shao said: "Very good, the imperial court will also issue an edict to reward the Lord of Wuyue."

After finishing speaking, he picked up a ruler, turned around and pointed to the big picture on the wall behind him: "The route back to Beijing must be determined first by the Chinese army. This time, the army will have to transport a lot of things, and there will be a lot of luggage. It is best to go back along the waterway so that the warships can carry supplies..."

The civil servants and generals who were still talking just now fell silent, silently looking at the picture Guo Shao pointed to.

Guo Shao took a straightedge and tapped twice on one of the above positions: "The soldiers of the imperial army cross the river from here and here, take a boat from the quarry bridge, and Jingkou, and then gather in Yangzhou. The guards' navy warships go northward from Jingkou and enter the canal, where the water and land meet, and return north along the waterway. When they reach the Huaihe River..."

Everyone immediately listened attentively to the important route. If you want to follow the waterway, the south route is not an option; the key is to take the waterway across the Huaihe River.

Guo Shao glanced around, "The march is in the territory of Dazhou, there is no need to make detours, just go to Bianshui."

After Guo Shao finished speaking, he watched Wang Pu's gaze again, but there were too many place names on the map, so it was hard to see which point Wang Pu was paying attention to... But he could guess that it was Songzhou. Going to Bianshui, Songzhou is the closest place to Tokyo.

"Do you want to prepare military rations in the counties along the way?" Wang Pu asked.

Guo Shaodao: "Tens of thousands of troops marched by land and water, and their whereabouts cannot be concealed, so we don't have to. In the name of the Jiangnan Qianying Army Mansion, we ordered each state to prepare food and grass for the army, and the state government to prepare five days' worth of food."

After he finished speaking, he picked up the teacup on the koan, but pretended to look at the file in front of him and hesitated to drink it.

Li Gu got up first and said: "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."