"The Master said: 'To go too far is not enough.'" [The Analects of Confucius·Advanced]
It was December 20th, the second year of Jian'an in the Han Dynasty.
Weiyang Palace, Greenhouse Palace.
It was snowing heavily in the afternoon, the clouds were thick, the north wind was howling, and it got dark early. We had just arrived at the beginning of Shen Dynasty, and Mu Shun of Xiaohuangmen ordered the palace servants to light lamps and candles in the palace and put out charcoal basins. The tall
The bronze tree was lit with golden lanterns, and in the warm spring-like Greenhouse Hall, the emperor was deciding matters with the ministers of the Chengming Hall.
The emperor dressed simply in the palace, wearing only a black court dress with red edges and a snow-white inner coat. Compared with Zhao Wen and others who were wearing thick robes and cloaks and had just stepped into the palace from the cold wind,
He looked more at ease and calm. His increasingly strong body slightly held up the two thin clothes. His eyebrows were slightly raised. He lowered his eyes and took a sip of the hot tea handed to him by Mu Shun before handing it back.
As usual, the emperor's actions indicated that the issue just now was over, and the ministers who were observing the situation needed to promptly report the next government matter that urgently needed the emperor's decision.
"...It is cold in Bingzhou, the Taihang Mountains are dangerous, and the situation in Jizhou is unclear. It is indeed not suitable to send troops." The emperor said softly, leaning forward slightly and asked: "Everything Liu Gong said in the memorial is reasonable, but how do I feel?
Are you trying to shirk every word?"
A layer of sweat broke out on Situ Huangwan's head, and he replied in a firm tone: "Liu Yu is a kind elder and loyal to the court and your Majesty. Your Majesty assumes that Liu Yu is trying to evade, which is not the way of a monarch and his ministers."
, it will hinder the reputation of both Your Majesty and Liu Yu, so I hope you will be careful in what you say."
The emperor rested his forehead with his hand and looked blankly. He was obviously thinking about something and had no time to respond to the other party.
Huang Wan, Zhao Wen and others who were familiar with the emperor saw this, but their expressions became solemn.
Yang Qi, the servant, took a fair stance, took over Huang Wan's words, and said matter-of-factly: "Your Majesty, even if Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan had enmity in their early years, it was because Gongsun Zan was domineering and arrogant and had no superiors. The so-called repaying evil with kindness is what Liu Yu said
In the memorial, there is no word "should not be saved", but "cannot be saved". Now winter has arrived, and the cold is biting in Bingzhou and other places. The Xianbei, Wuhuan and other tribes are entrenched in Mobei. If there is no grass and food, there will be
Therefore, General Duan Xuan of Liao and General Xu Rong of Ninghu cannot be easily mobilized. In addition, the imperial court will send troops to Guandong next year, and the most important place is Henan. If we focus on Taihang and Changshan at this time, there will be small mistakes.
It's a serious disadvantage. These are all opinions of the ministers and others, and I ask for your Majesty's careful review."
After saying this, Shangshu Ling Wu Shuo also said: "Now the land of Yanzhao is very cold, and it is as far away as Guanzhong. The Yuan army cannot attack for a long time, and the encirclement is long and they are discouraged. They will take advantage of the victory and retreat to wait for the coming year. In this way, Gongsun Zan can take a breather.
With this opportunity, the imperial court can use the siege of Yijing to contain Yuan's army when it sends troops next year."
The emperor finally could no longer remain silent. He softened his tone and said: "Not sending troops does not mean that we will not help. Even though it is winter, we can still send more hunters to scout across the Taihang Mountains to visit Jingxing Pass, Changshan, Zhongshan, etc.
The prefectures and states are in reality. Liu Yuyan and Changshan and other powerful states indulged Gongsun Fan in annexing the state. We need to be cautious. It is better to make arrangements in advance while there are still a few months left than to have no plan at the end."
Huang Wan immediately agreed and said: "Liu Yu is the governor, and now that Yizhou is in front, he dare not specialize in military affairs. Your Majesty, why not draft the imperial edict from Zhongtai and order someone to prepare it."
"Then let Duan Xuan do it. In the spring of next year, he will be ordered to lead more than 10,000 troops under his command to go south, retreat to Yanmen, and guard the northern part of Bingzhou. As for the southern Huns' former royal court, Wuyuan and other places, they can't take care of it for the time being.
"Now the military strength of Bingzhou is only 20,000 troops of General Du Liao and General Xu Rong of Ninghu. In view of the large number of troops to be mobilized in Guanzhong next year, there is an urgent need to leave enough generals and soldiers for the defense of Sanfu and Bingzhou.
Ma Zhenzheng. The emperor already had a plan in mind, and wanted to take advantage of this moment to re-plan the defense and mobilize some troops: "As for Xu Rong, let him lead his army to retreat south to guard Shangjun, one to guard the west side of Bingzhou, and the other
Able to coordinate with Zuo Fengyi and Hedong."
"I sincerely promise you."
Seeing that the emperor was keeping an eye on Liu Yu's true intentions, Huang Wan, Yang Qi and others couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief. In their opinion, no matter whether Liu Yu's refusal to rescue was out of public motives or selfish motives, this was not the time to send reinforcements.
As for whether Liu Yu will continue to remonstrate and obstruct him later, it has nothing to do with the court discussion at this time.
Just when the matter was about to be revealed, someone from the Zhonghuang Gate suddenly came in from outside the palace to report, saying that Secretary Lang Wenhui and Lu Yu were kneeling on the ground outside the palace gate and crying.
Wen Hui and Lu Yu came to Chang'an not long ago. They crossed the Taihang Mountains under the escort of Sun Li and others. After entering Bingzhou, they were sent to the imperial court under Liu Yu's arrangement. At the same time, they also brought Gongsun Zan with them to Youzhou.
They plundered grain and grass, killed local county guards at will, and even the descendants of Lu Gong were not spared. The descendants of Lu Gong suffered in Youzhou, which caused an uproar in the government and the public at that time. If Youzhou was not temporarily beyond the reach of the police, I am afraid that
Someone is about to advocate sending troops.
At that time, in order to appease the two orphans of loyal ministers Wen Hui and Lu Yu, and to promote these two talents, the emperor specially selected them to serve as secretaries and be taught by Cai Yong and other great Confucian scholars.
Now that Gongsun Zan was defeated and asked for help, the news soon spread to Chang'an. Many people knew that Gongsun Zan was a nail in restraining Yuan Shao's military power. He could not give it up easily unless it was absolutely necessary. The emperor probably wanted to help each other. This was out of long-term interests.
, but some people cannot accept it emotionally.
"Mu Shun, take them to the side hall. What do they look like crying at the palace gate!" The emperor frowned. He faintly heard the sound of sobbing and crying from the howling wind outside. The father and brothers of the two young men were all
After dying at the hands of Gongsun Zan, no matter how early and rational they were in the past, they could not compete with the grief of losing their parents when they were young.
Mu Shun hurriedly bowed his body and retreated. There were heavy clouds outside the palace, and the wind and snow fell suddenly. Two weak young men were kneeling side by side in front of the palace and weeping bitterly. Although they knew that the other party was grieving for their loved ones, they were still like this in the Greenhouse Palace.
Crying was somewhat unlucky. However, the emperor couldn't care less about this matter, and Mu Shun couldn't do much. He put away the smile he usually wore and half-forced Wen Hui and Lu Yu to the side.
Go to the side hall.
In just a short time, their noses were red from crying, and the younger Lu Yu even shed two lines of clear tears. Mu Shun had someone move a brazier and said in a nonchalant manner: "It's important for the imperial court."
, Normally others are not allowed to interfere. Although you have a filial name, you are still among this group. Fortunately, the matter is excusable, and the state allows you to give an explanation."
"Without Gongsun Zan, wouldn't the imperial army be able to help the world?" Wen Hui was still calm. He held Lu Yu's hand tightly and said to Mu Shun.
Mu Shun was frightened by him and scolded: "Shut up! Is this something you can criticize?"
Wen Hui snorted coldly from his nose and looked at Mu Shun seemingly without fear. Only Lu Yu could tell from the trembling palms of his hands that Wen Hui was uneasy in his heart.
Mu Shun turned around and went back to resume his life, leaving only Wen Hui and Lu Yu clinging to each other in the side hall.
Lu Yu sniffed from time to time, and Wen Hui looked at the fire, but he was thinking about many things. His father Wen Shu had always been obsessed with the court, and even before he died, he never forgot to tell him to carry on the legacy. This
Along the way, he and Lu Yu experienced hardships. When he first came to Chang'an, he saw the scenery along the way and met the emperor and ministers. He really had a lot of hope for the Han Dynasty and the imperial court.
But now facing the enemy who killed his father, Wen Hui inevitably wavered. How could the so-called upright teacher and the imperial court, as a party that represents 'righteousness', be friends with jackals?
This is something Wen Hui doesn't want to understand.
It was also an answer he wanted the emperor to tell him.