"The ape in the cage, full of excitement and change, cannot come out of the cage; the tiger in the box, full of rage and change, cannot come out of the box." [Hua Shu]
Such a big event happened in Chang'an. Even though the enterprising Lu Bu was far away in Baling, after hearing the news, he hurriedly rode to Chang'an with his close associates. When he saw the new guard Zhao Wen leading troops and horses to search the city, Lu Bu felt disgusted and took a shortcut.
Arrive at Wang Yun's house.
Wang Yun did not take Lü Bu to the bamboo pavilion in the backyard for a meeting. Instead, he chose to meet Lü Bu in the front hall in a businesslike manner.
The heat was unbearable, so the maid Cang Tou brought some ice-cold fruits and drinks from the well. Lu Bu was not polite, grabbed the fruits and ate them. Wang Yun frowned and glanced at Lu Bu with disgust. While Lu Bu was drinking, he asked
: "The general rushed here from Baling in person, but what happened in Shaanxi County?"
Lu Bu's face darkened. It was a good thing he didn't mention this. When he talked about the Liangzhou people, he was worried. Since he killed Dong Zhuo, he has formed a deadly feud with the Liangzhou people. How elite is the army under the Liangzhou General?
, Wang Yun may not know it, but doesn't Lu Bu know it? Although he had a bad relationship with the Liangzhou generals, he still had a little fear of the Liangzhou people in his heart.
With this mentality, when Wang Yun first proposed to pardon Dong Zhuo's tribe, Lu Bu repeatedly persuaded him to pardon Niu Fu and others as much as possible. It was the best policy to surrender without fighting.
But Wang Yun thought that these people were not guilty and were just Dong Zhuo. If they were pardoned for their crimes, wouldn't it make them suspicious and think that they were really guilty? This was Wang Yun's initial thought, but as time went by,
As the situation developed, Wang Yun changed from not pardoning and waiting to pardon, to not pardoning but also dismissing his troops.
Lu Bu wiped the juice from his mouth and said to Wang Yun: "The news that the imperial court will not grant a pardon has not yet reached Shaanxi County, but Li Jue and others have gathered more than 40,000 troops. I am worried that if they hear that the imperial court does not grant a pardon, they will attack
After disbanding the troops, they will jump over the wall in a hurry just as Your Majesty said."
Wang Yun said calmly: "They are evil and rebellious, and they are running rampant in the counties. They are just relying on Dong Zhuo's power. Even Niu Fu is afraid of the power of the imperial court, abandons his army and flees. How can Li Jue and other fools dare to raise troops to invade? Even if they really show up.
In that situation, with the bravery of a general, would he still be afraid of these homeless dogs?"
Lu Bu was about to say something but stopped: "In that case, why don't Situ follow my suggestion and give Dong Zhuo's wealth to the general Gongqing, so as to boost the morale of the army?"
Wang Yun shook his head and said: "These have been taken back to the treasury and are the property of the imperial court. Now we not only need to recruit refugees to open up wasteland, but also repair palaces and residences. We have to spend money on everything. How can we reward officials and soldiers casually?"
He was afraid that Lu Bu would use this invitation to buy military morale, so he was reluctant in every possible way.
Lu Bu knew that Wang Yun had made a decision on a matter and could not let go. He simply did not mention it anymore and only frowned and said: "Your Majesty was assassinated in Lu, and everyone in the capital heard about it. I came to visit this time mainly because I wanted to
Do you know the specific situation? I heard that the group of thieves did not start by accident, but had a premeditated plan?"
"How did you learn about this matter when you were stationed in Baling? This matter is very involved and is beyond your control, so it's better to keep it under control. For you, the most important thing is to be on guard against developments in Shaanxi County right now." Lu Bu
Wang Yun was immediately displeased by dictating important matters in the court, but now that he was still employing people, he still comforted him by saying, "I don't let you set foot in the court for your own sake. The court is no better than a battlefield. There are hidden arrows everywhere, making it difficult for people to guard against.
As long as you make great achievements on the battlefield and finish off the Shaanxian gang, why worry that the imperial court won't give you a big reward and put you to good use?"
"Yes, what Situ said makes sense, and Bu is willing to accept the lesson."
Afterwards, Wang Yun sent his eldest son, Wang Gai, his servant, to take Lu Bu to the door on his behalf, and told him to go back as soon as possible, not to worry about Chang'an, but to pay more attention to Shaanxi County.
Lu Bu's attitude towards Wang Gai, who was almost the same age as himself, was not as respectful as he was in front of Wang Yun. He casually agreed to Wang Gai's instructions, which was actually Wang Yun's order, got on his horse, held the reins briefly and left.
Wang Gai was left standing there with a livid face.
Lu Bu did not follow Wang Yun's instructions to return to Baling. After walking east for a while, he turned back to Zhangtai Street and followed the road to Xi'an Gate in the southwest of Chang'an City.
The north side of this gate is opposite the Nangong Gate of Weiyang Palace. When the former Han Dynasty established its capital in Chang'an, it was called the Convenient Gate because it was the most convenient way for the emperor to leave the city. It was not accessible to ordinary people. However, Lu Bu, as General Wei, could pass through without any hindrance.
Not long after staying in front of him, Lu Bu soon waited for the person he wanted to see.
The guard ordered Gao Shun to dress up in military uniform, strode forward, saluted Lu Bu who was sitting high on the horse, and said: "Gao Shun, who is of low rank, has seen the general!"
Seeing that Gao Shun was the only one, Lu Bu was surprised and said, "Why are you the only one? Where is Zhang Liao?"
Gao Shun's expression suddenly felt unnatural, and he hesitated and said: "Zhang Wenyuan, as the Commander of the Brigade, needs to be by His Majesty's side at all times and travel with Luan Jia. At this time, His Majesty usually goes to Bailiang Terrace to view the scenery, so Zhang Wenyuan...
…”
"Okay!" Lu Bu interrupted Gao Shun's words coldly and said dissatisfiedly: "He has become a brigade commander, and he has to be granted the title of Marquis of Guan Nei, so he can serve the emperor. He may be favored by the emperor that day. In terms of his future,
, is naturally better than following me. If you don’t want to come, don’t come, and I won’t force you to come, but everyone has his or her own ambitions.”
Gao Shun knew in his heart that Zhang Liao was just an outsider who joined the army halfway compared to him and Wei Xu. After Dong Zhuo's death, he joined Lu Bu's subordinates by virtue of his status as a fellow villager in Bingzhou.
Since he didn't have close contacts with others, Lu Bu didn't trust him and it was understandable to be wary of him. But Gao Shun was different. Last time, Li Su was defeated and fled. Niu Fu's general Chi'er led his army to pursue him with such ferocious momentum that Lu Bu's generals didn't care.
Only he and Zhang Liao dared to go to support, and it was this cooperation that allowed the two to gradually get to know each other.
Later, when Weiwei Zhang Xi was imprisoned, Lu Bu wrote a letter to select soldiers to join the palace to protect the emperor. The emperor personally selected Gao Shun and Zhang Liao to join the palace. The two became increasingly close due to the opportunity of serving as officials in the same place.
Seeing that Lu Bu was dissatisfied with Zhang Liao at this time, Gao Shun subconsciously wanted to defend him: "General! Zhang Wenyuan is not such a person. When I worked with him, he often talked about the general's love for Sangzi that day and protected him more.
Zhang Wenyuan is calm and magnanimous. This time he really has the emperor's orders and it is difficult to meet the general."
Lu Bu had always been jealous and loving towards Gao Shun. He was jealous of Gao Shun's excellent ability in training soldiers and fighting, but he also cherished Gao Shun's loyalty to his superiors.
Although he didn't believe Gao Shun's rhetoric and believed that Zhang Liao had changed his mind and kicked him away after clinging to the emperor, he still couldn't show his prejudice against his subordinates: "Is that so? Then I blamed him wrongly.
"
After speaking, Lu Bu turned around and dismounted, and climbed up the Xi'an Gate city wall with Gao Shun, inspecting casually. Lu Bu walked to the bottom of the city tower, turned to Gao Shun and said, "You have been here for two days, how is the situation in the palace?
What kind of person is that?"
Gao Shun said truthfully: "Before I came, the imperial palace was taken over by Yu Lin, Hu Ben and other Lang Guards. Whether it was patrols or defense, everything was in order. They say General Xu Zhonglang is good at using troops, and I can see it now."
"
Lu Bu suddenly felt strange: "Since Xu Rong has arranged the palace ban, how come he couldn't even catch a thief in the past few days? And let him attack the emperor?"
"Unless someone is secretly protecting this thief." Gao Shun said what he had concluded in the past few days: "Otherwise, I really can't figure out why a little thief could hide in the deep palace for so long and not only survive, but also escape.
Bingwei’s arrest.”
"Ha." Lu Bu suddenly laughed and asked, "Do you think Wang Situ knows the key to this? If he knew, then it would be really funny."
Gao Shun continued: "Even if Situ has suspicions, he can't find any evidence. And malicious speculation about the emperor is a serious crime. He doesn't dare to take the risk and can only admit that he is unlucky."
"How could he give up easily?" Lu Bu suddenly sighed: "Didn't he take away Zhang Xi and bring you and Zhang Liao into the palace? Zhang Liao has only been with me for a short time, and I have no friendship with him.
Then he left. But you are different. I did not write your name on the list of recommended guards for entering the palace. I don’t know where your Majesty knew your name and appointed you as a guard order. If not, I would have really
I won’t let you enter the palace.”
"Perhaps His Majesty saw the deeds of me and Zhang Liao leading troops to rescue Li Su from the victory report, so he named him. I had heard about various deeds of Your Majesty before, and after entering the palace, I was able to observe them up close, and I realized that the rumors were true."
Gao Shun seemed to have thought of something, and then answered Lu Bu's question: "His Majesty is gentle, tolerant, and very smart. In time, he will be another Guangwu Emperor of our Han Dynasty."
"Which little emperor do you think so highly of? I remember that the country is only twelve years old this year. At such a young age, how can we withhold your praise like this?" Lu Bu knew that Gao Shun was a person who never spoke big words. It must be that he could make such an evaluation of the emperor.
The emperor must have impressed Gao Shun in some way.
Thinking of this, Lu Bu seemed to understand why Zhang Liao had to draw a clear line with himself within just a few days of entering the palace. There was a British master with supreme power beside him who could make achievements for him. Who would be willing to be an incompetent person under Lu Bu?
Being regarded as a direct line general?
If Lu Bu had stood in Zhang Liao's position, he would probably have made the same choice. But I don't know if Gao Shun would have the same idea as Zhang Liao when facing the emperor. Maybe he had also hesitated.
Lu Bu looked at Gao Shun with a hint of suspicion, but the other party didn't seem to notice. He clasped his fists and said, "The general knows it. He never talks big when he is in a humble position. Your Majesty is indeed a wise master worthy of allegiance. If the general hadn't been deeply favored by Situ En,
I even want to persuade the general to make other plans."
Lu Bu's eyes flashed, his face suddenly darkened, and he deliberately scolded: "What are you talking about! Wang Situ treats me very well, and we are fellow countrymen. If we leave him in the middle of the court, who will take care of him?"
Shall I wait? Never mention this again, otherwise don't blame me for being ruthless."
Gao Shun hurriedly handed over his hands and confessed his crime.
Lu Bu's face softened slightly and he said: "You and I have worked together for many years. Don't we understand each other's character? Even if Situ cannot be relied on in the future, it will be a situation that we try our best to save.
Next, we will find another way to make a living. We are all from Bingzhou, and our power in the court is weak, so we must advance and retreat together."