Chapter 50: Pulling the String to Promote the Column
"Ming the zither and golden millet pillars, in front of the jade house with plain hands." [Listen to the zither]
Chang'an, Wanwan Princess Mansion.
Zhou Yu, the Minister of War, finally returned to the mansion. Since he came on horseback, he arrived not long after the emperor came to talk to Liu Jiang.
There was still a hundred steps from the outer lobby to the back garden. Zhou Yu hurriedly walked in the verandah when he suddenly heard the last notes of a piano piece. His hurried steps could not help but slow down, and even stopped at the end.
Staying where I was, I quietly listened to the music of the piano, which changed from the gurgling water to the melodious cry of orioles, as if the forest was bright and clear under the moonlight.
"Okay, okay." Zhou Yu nodded appreciatively, then shook his head again, looking very regretful.
Zhang Song, the princess's family leader who was responsible for leading the audience, followed and listened quietly for a while, and couldn't help but ask: "Although the sound of the piano is wonderful, what is the difference that makes Zhou Lang stop?"
"If you say this, it proves that you haven't understood this music yet." Zhou Yu walked softly in the verandah, with a sad expression on his face, as if he was still thinking about it: "With resentment, admiration, tears and complaints, I played this song
A person who plays music must be good. It's a pity... her last tune was not collected properly. It should have been set back and then soared, like a crane soaring, but unexpectedly it was depressed to the end, which is not good..."
Zhang Song likes practicality and does not like elegance. He is not as good at music appreciation as Zhou Yu. He can even tell when the opponent's music is wrong.
And I saw that the other party was chanting a few tunes leisurely, and he actually slightly modified the piano music just now, and the humming was indeed more high-spirited than before.
Although Zhou Yu hurried back to see the emperor, when he came to the door, he could not go in out of breath. As usual, Zhang Song took Zhou Yu to change into his regular clothes and walked calmly to the open hall. On the way, Zhou Yu was still infatuated with the music.
Forgetting, he asked: "There has never been a musician of this skill in the house. Who composed the music just now?"
After saying that, he couldn't help but feel a little confused, and he asked and answered: "It sounds like it was played by Cai Gong's second daughter, but the thoughts in the song are not like that... It seems that he has a miserable life experience and is lamenting his life."
"No foreigners were invited to the house today." Zhang Song did not expect that the calm and wise Zhou Yu was also obsessed with piano music in private. He thought about it carefully and said: "Oh, the noble Huaiyuan arrived at the house this morning, and it hasn't happened yet.
Walk……"
"When I came here, I didn't hear that your Majesty was talking to His Majesty in front of you?" Zhou Yu frowned and asked in a solemn voice.
"The noble lady has not come forward. It must be that Her Highness the Princess did not inform..." After saying this, Zhang Song felt a sudden surprise in his heart, and belatedly discovered something.
He looked up quickly and saw Zhou Yu walking in front of him, frowning in deep thought, wondering what he was thinking.
"What does she mean?" Zhou Yu whispered, quickened his pace, and soon saw several Yulin Tiger Guards standing outside the open hall in front of him. Seeing this, he whispered to Zhang Song and ordered: "Please order Zhang to go."
Let’s check, who was playing music in the Qinlou just now?”
"Jinnuo." Although Zhang Song is the princess's family commander, Zhou Yu, as the princess's husband, can still drive him. At this point, he stopped and stood there. After Zhou Yu took a few steps forward, he suddenly asked
: "May I ask Zhou Lang, what should I do if I find it?"
Zhou Yu paused, and his tone changed from relaxed and relaxed at the beginning to a bit serious. He still walked forward and gently said: "Let's check first."
The emperor didn't sit down for long before waiting for Zhou Yu. At this time, he was holding his nephew Zhou Xun in his arms, and Sun Shao had already been led down. The emperor first asked Zhou Yu to sit down after the ceremony, and picked up some ordinary things like a family.
Talk about small things.
Zhou Yu didn't know what the other party was thinking, and he echoed Liu Jiang's words every word. The two of them spoke to each other as a result of their tacit understanding of being together for a long time, and they didn't seem to be deliberately cheating. The emperor saw it and was very satisfied.
"The Chiang Kai-shek of Jiujiang whom you recommended last time served as the governor of Dahonglu. At the end of the year, he had contacts with the Xianbei and other tribes, and made a lot of efforts to trade with each other and return the Han people. This man has a good appearance and is famous for his good appearance.
With his outstanding talent, he can follow the example of Zhang Qian, Ban Chao and others in sending envoys to various countries and traveling to various countries." The emperor mentioned it casually: "There are many talented people in Jianghuai. If you recognize their talents in the future, you can recommend them to me... Mingzhu
To throw oneself into the rivers and lakes without questioning, is this what the world of wise masters should do?"
"I sincerely promise you." Zhou Yu straightened his back and bowed his hands to the emperor in thanks. There are many talented people in Jianghuai, but what they lack is just a recommendation channel and credentials, such as Zhang Zhao, Qin Song, Chen Duan and others. Could it be that
Aren't they celebrities? It's just because they once followed Sun Ce and have stains on their bodies that are difficult to wash away. Even if someone in the court wants to recommend them, they are powerless.
This time, the emperor gave Zhou Yu an opportunity to be kind to the Jianghuai scholars and strengthen the Zhou family in Lujiang. Of course, the price was that Zhou Yu had to always look up to the emperor. He was the emperor's brother-in-law.
From one point of view, the relationship between Zhou Yu and the emperor is inseparable.
It seemed that it was the first time for Zhou Xun to see his father be so respectful to others, especially when the other person was facing the emperor but also indirectly facing himself in the emperor's arms. He couldn't help but clapped his hands in joy.
"Give me the child." Liu Jiang spoke from the side, seeming to see some dilemma: "Don't spoil the child."
The emperor chuckled lightly and allowed Mu Shun to take Zhou Xun away from his arms. After Zhou Xun was taken away, the emperor felt that his arms were empty, the pressure on his legs suddenly decreased, and he smiled again and said: "The nearest one is
Are things easy to do?"
Naturally, what he asked was to reduce the military affairs of miscellaneous soldiers belonging to counties and counties. This matter has been carried out for ten months now. Taiwei Zhu Jun, Hussar General Dong Cheng, and Minister of War Li Gu first moved Si Li, Bingzhou, and Yizhou
The military brigade was cleaned up.
"Liangzhou has been abolished by Duke Zhu once before. Now the border camp soldiers, county soldiers, and field soldiers all keep their duties, and the system is strict. From the perspective of outsiders, there are only 25,000 people under the command of General Zhengxi. Once
When something happens, tens of thousands of troops can be gathered in an instant... This can be a model for the Guandong states." Zhou Yu stated in an unhurried tone: "As for Guanzhong, Yizhou, Bingzhou and other places, they are all the foundation for your majesty to restore peace to the world. They have been established for a long time.
The system is in place and it won’t be difficult to straighten it out.”
The military system of prefectures and states began to be rebuilt as early as when the emperor regained Bingzhou. In cooperation with the troops stationed in various places, whether it was marching south to Yizhou or quelling the Yuan family's rebellion and overcoming the Qiang plague, both of them played a great role. And it is true.
Because of this, many generals who had been relegated to the second line in the field were reactivated due to their military exploits and returned to the ranks of first-line generals, which greatly strengthened the flow and enthusiasm of personnel within several military systems.
"Next, Duke Zhu and others will start to build the army in Guandong." Zhou Yu said: "I thought that the generals in Youzhou and Yangzhou had already been in charge of Zhenbei, and the two generals in Zhennan had been abolished and reorganized soon, and the systems were better than those in Guanzhong.
, it is not appropriate to make any further changes. Therefore, we can proceed from Yuzhou, Yanzhou, and Xuzhou first, and then to Qingzhou, Jizhou, and Jingzhou."
"First the inside before the outside, this is a good idea." There are many strong men in Henan, Yan, and Xuzhou who led their troops to protect their hometowns, and then surrendered to the court and were awarded the title of general. Although they are scattered and not something to be afraid of,
Dismissing and reorganizing them at this time is enough to show that Zhou Yu accurately understood the emperor's thoughts.
The emperor listened to Zhou Yu talk about what he had seen and heard after joining the Ministry of War. It seemed that he was not very interested in these things, but also seemed to have heard them before. After pondering for a while, he said somewhat abruptly: "The barbarians in Nanzhong
The solution is already in place."
Zhou Yu was picking up a bowl of tea and was about to drink it, when he heard the words and made a move.
"The counties in Nanzhong have set up the post of governor of the subjugation to take charge of military affairs and barbarian affairs, and the chosen candidate is Sun Ce." Emperor Zhuangruo looked at Zhou Yu's expression unintentionally, and said slowly: "And Wu Jing beside him,
He is also about to go to Jiaozhou to assist Ju Jun and fill the vacancy left by Wu Kuang's death."
"Although there has never been a governor of Gajiang before, the establishment at this time can just make up for the weakness of Nanzhong." Zhou Yu's expression did not change, but he did not continue to drink the bowl of tea that he had not yet drank, and put it down steadily: "Jiaozhou
Similarly, although Sun Ce and Wu Jing belong to General Zhennan, the soldiers and generals under General Zhennan each have their own roles. They were ordered to clear out the remaining bandits in Runan years ago, and now that Runan is pacified, they need to be assigned separately.
place."
"That's good if you think so." The emperor nodded happily, glanced at the silent Liu Jiang, and said softly: "There are soldiers and horses from all over the world, except for Cao Cao, Zhang Liao, Xu Huang and other generals.
They will all be dismissed. Sun Ce has many elites under his command, and he is as brave and good at fighting as his father. The court must make full use of everyone... Nanzhong is a good place to make achievements. You are familiar with Sun Ce, so you might as well inform the court about this news first.
Tell him before coming down."
Zhou Yu did not distance himself from his relationship with Sun Ce, and immediately accepted the order and said: "I sincerely promise you."
He couldn't help but think that Wu Kuangcai, the general of the Zhonglang army, died of illness in the army due to the miasma in the south. The emperor immediately arranged for Sun Ce and Wu Jing to go south. When General Fubo Ma Yuan attacked the Wuxi barbarians, many soldiers died of the disease.
Even the coach Ma Yuan couldn't afford to fall ill. Nanzhong and Jiaozhi were even more remote than Jingnan. Thinking of this, Zhou Yu couldn't help but worry about Sun Ce.
"A man is willing to give up and give back. Sun Ce is an extraordinary person and knows what to do." The emperor said calmly, as if he was about to stand up and leave.
Zhou Yu and Liu Jiang quickly got up to see each other off. When they walked to the verandah across the pond from the Qin Tower, Liu Jiang finally remembered to ask the emperor to stay for a meal, but the emperor refused: "No, you guys
Just live your own life."
After saying that, he looked at the two of them meaningfully and left the princess' mansion.
Zhou Xun said goodbye to the emperor's uncle with some reluctance. At this time, he was also a little tired. He rubbed his eyes and felt sleepy. Liu Jiang ordered people to take him down to take care of him, and at this time Zhang Song also heard from the side.
A servant reported, his expression changed slightly, he stepped forward and whispered to Zhou Yu for a while.
The two of them were walking on the path beside the pool. Zhou Yu frowned slightly and said, "The country is approaching, and it would be too rash for you to let Mr. Qiao hide and play the piano."
"What?" Liu Jiang turned to look at Zhou Yu and asked with a smile: "Isn't she good at playing the piano?"
"Is this what I'm talking about?" Zhou Yu couldn't understand Liu Jiang's actions, or in other words, he didn't want to understand: "Also, why don't you let the noble man from Huaiyuan come out to see your majesty? If people know, it will look like I
Waiting for someone to cause trouble."
"My place is no better than Xuanshi Palace. We can meet in private. Is it convenient for her to come out? As a widowed sister-in-law, she only avoids people, but never takes the initiative to greet them." Liu Jiang said eloquently.
"What's going on with the Qiao family?" Zhou Yu paused and waved his sleeves behind him. He glanced at the pool water from the corner of his eye, and saw Zhang Song and others following him in the reflection immediately slowed down and looked far away.
Hanging far behind, he then continued: "Didn't she take the initiative to welcome me?"
"It's rare to see Zhou Lang care so much about a concubine." Liu Jiang's eyes became a little cold and he turned his face back to face the path in front of him.
Zhou Yu thought she was still jealous, so he explained again: "I don't regard her as a concubine, she is just a gift from a close friend. I can't say no..."
"Then I can handle it." Liu Jiang interrupted coldly. At the end, he seemed to feel that his attitude was not too polite, so he softened his tone and said, "Don't you really know, Mr. Zhou? I am doing this for you.
...and that 'best friend' who will stir up trouble for you at any time."
Zhou Yu took a deep breath and wanted to refute, but couldn't find the words for a while.
It is true that Liu Jiang had the right idea. He used the Qiao sisters as a link to strengthen the connection between the emperor and Sun Ce, so that the emperor could dispel his suspicion and guard against Sun Ce. In this way, not only would Sun Ce not have to worry about his life in the future, but Zhou Yu would not have to be caught in the middle.
Trouble in the middle.
But is the emperor willing? Judging from today's performance, the emperor does not seem to be moved by the sound of the piano.
"There is no need to worry, Your Majesty misses the old friendship the most." Liu Jiang seemed to say firmly. She turned her eyes and looked at Zhou Yu: "Just like Zhou Lang, although I have never met Sun Ce, he is a brave man.
He was so rebellious that he almost separated himself from one side in Jiangdong, and even... almost took you with him. Even if he is lucky enough to surrender now, it was all because of you, Zhou Lang, but can you still protect him all the time with just you? Now you
You're just a minister, so it doesn't matter much. If your interests are at stake in the future, this Sun Ce will be your weakness!"
Liu Jiang paused and tried to persuade: "I understand the truth, how can Zhou Lang not understand it? Your Majesty's meaning just now was very simple. If you really care about yourself, how can you be like this?"
"Despite this, I still choose to believe him." Zhou Yu muttered, and slowly exhaled from his chest: "This time His Majesty transferred him to Nanzhong. In my opinion, it is an opportunity, far better than I wanted him to stay before.
General Zhennan has a good command. Couldn't he be able to do what Cao Cao and Liu Bei can do? What's more, I'm here."
Liu Jiang raised her eyebrows. Fu Qian served as the captain of the vassal state in Nanzhong and achieved almost nothing in several years. Therefore, she could not see what chance Lieutenant General Nan had. Is it military merit? Is it really necessary to wait until the day when Nanzhong rebels?
Got three thousand troops under Sun Ce's command?
However, this kind of thought can only be hidden in his heart. Liu Jiang has always believed in his husband's intelligence: "Since Mr. Zhou said this, does it mean that I did the right thing this time?"
The two of them had walked half a circle around the small pool and arrived at the piano tower. At this time, the piano tower was already empty, but the piano was still placed on the table in the middle.
"No." Zhou Yu moved a few strings with his fingers, making a series of crisp clang sounds. His eyes were thoughtful: "I won't do anything this time, let him make his own way in Nanzhong."