On the other side, Mi Heng, who was riding back home, was also recalling the conversation between His Highness Shicai and Wang Zheng.
Wang Zheng agreed to use "Martial Arts Lord" as the basis for the reward, which was expected by him. After all, compared with Xuzhou, which has been war-torn for a long time, in this year's new territory, whether it is Beihai Kingdom, Lujiang County, or Jiujiang, the course of the war
In fact, it went relatively smoothly.
The result of a successful war is naturally that the proportion of demoted officials is not small. Under such circumstances, compared with the doubling of territory, there are not many vacancies in official positions. Therefore, it is natural to consider how to adjust the rewards.
However, in the subsequent specific discussion of merit and rewards, although there was no explicit objection, Mi Heng could feel that Wang Zheng did not seem to approve of "half and half civil and military", and appointed "General Pengcheng represented by Xu Fang" as the leader.
Gong was also a little disapproving, which was beyond Mi Heng's expectation.
It shouldn't be
Hasn’t the Lord always valued Xu Fang the most?
This is true. As a subordinate who has been with Wang Zheng for a long time, Xu Fang has no one who can compare with him except Wu Sheng in the close army. In addition, he has a calm personality, careful thinking, and is quite like a general. Wang Zheng also
He has always been carefully cultivated and given opportunities. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is "the most valued".
This is also one of the reasons why Mi Heng does not have a harmonious relationship with most of the senior generals in the army, but has a relatively friendly relationship with Xu Fang. Xu Fang has outstanding abilities, elegant speech, and a Confucian general style, so he can join Mi Heng
In the eyes, it is another reason.
It is precisely because of this that Ni Heng is not only surprised by His Highness Wang Zheng's attitude today, but also full of doubts.
While thinking about it, I came to the door of my mansion without realizing it.
When Mi Heng came to Shouchun, he and Guo Jia were originally arranged to live in a side hall of the old Chu Palace. It was okay for a short time, but it would definitely be inconvenient for a long time. Later, Wang Zheng ordered Lu Ji to choose several places in the city.
The official family paid for the house and specially gave it to the two of them as sponsors. This favor was not unkind.
The house they used to live in when they were in Xiapi was also gifted by Wang Zheng. That's not all. Wang Zheng's political loyalty has changed continuously in the past two years, first to Kaiyang, then to Pengcheng, then to Donghai, Xiapi, and finally to today's Shou.
In spring, Mi Heng followed him. Naturally, wherever Wang Zheng's handsome flag moved, he also followed.
Wang Zheng would not treat the first civil servant who took the initiative to join his family badly. When he was in Kaiyang, he was rewarded with a house, and when he was in Pengcheng and Tanxian, he was rewarded with another house.
The fertile and fertile land in Yang, Pengcheng, Xiapi and other places were rewarded in large quantities. Cumulatively, there are at least 10,000 acres. It can be said that in terms of industrial wealth under his name, Mi Heng alone is now more than he was back then.
The county's family is at its peak.
After all, these houses and fertile fields are located in the county capital and important towns.
Of course, in the eyes of Wang Zheng, who owns nine counties and aspires to the world, these may not actually be anything. Mi Heng is also not a money-grubbing person, and he does not take these things very seriously.
But he doesn't have to value the house and farmland, but Mi Heng has to value the things behind these things.
These represent Wang Zheng's importance to him, his courtesy to him, and his meticulous care!
We must know that Wang Zheng himself is quite diligent and frugal, so he naturally maintains corresponding restraint on the size of rewards given to his ministers. As his best friend, Wu Sheng has only received thousands of acres of fertile land as rewards so far.
In addition, there are countless financial rewards during holidays and festivals, and even anytime and anywhere.
As the territory of the Heavenly Army expanded, more and more tributes were sent by local officials such as Beihai, Taishan, and Xuzhou counties, many of which were exquisite. There were also tributes sent by the imperial court of Xudu, Liu Biao of Jingzhou, and even other princes.
He handed over gifts, as well as calligraphy and painting treasures copied from various places, many of which were precious and rare. No matter how valuable they were, as long as Mi Heng saw them and showed a look of liking, Wang Zheng would not be stingy and would give them generously.
In this regard, generals such as Xu Fang and Wu Sheng are not comparable for the time being, but Guo Jia and Zhang Zhao, who are highly regarded by the royal government and rely on them as their right-hand men, are also far behind.
So why did Wang Zheng treat Ni Heng so favorably?
Very simply, because he was the first civil servant to seek refuge with him!
Moreover, at that time, Wang Zheng was in trouble both internally and externally in Kaiyang, and he was in an embarrassing moment because he had no advisers under his command!
Mi Heng's initiative to vote can be said to be the first real "help in times of need" since Wang Zheng's uprising.
It is precisely because of this that even though Mi Heng is not as good as Guo Jia in terms of political change, not as good as Zhang Zhao in terms of internal affairs, and has not made many suggestions in the recent wars, compared with his status in Wang Zheng's heart, he can still be said to be "external."
"I am the first".
He has a high status in Wang Zheng's heart. In Xuzhou, which is within his sphere of influence, and even today's Yangzhou, Ni Heng naturally wants to win the wind and rain. He can also see why Lu Ji is so respectful to him.
at this point.
Of course, no matter how powerful and powerful the royal government is, it can only ensure that the civil and military officials "do not look at the monk's face but the Buddha's face" on the surface, but they can't control how the ministers view Ni Heng privately.
And with Mi Heng's arrogance and sharp tongue, there are naturally many people who can't stand you.
For example, when he was in Xiapi, when Wang Zheng wanted to reward Ni Heng with farmland and a house, Chen Deng, the agricultural school lieutenant, raised objections and advised: "Now Xuzhou has just begun its foundation. It has experienced wars for a long time and the people's livelihood has declined. It should be
Frugality and frugality are the order of the day and should not lead to extravagance and waste. The state pastor should not give excessive rewards to his ministers."
Although Wang Zheng was already suspicious of Chen Deng at that time, because the internal affairs had not happened yet, he was quite polite and courteous on the surface. However, even so, he still insisted on his life: "When I was in Kaiyang in the past, I was besieged internally and externally, and was surrounded by enemies on all sides.
, how could we have captured Pengcheng without your ingenious plan? Without Pengcheng, we would not have been able to get out of the predicament, how could we have reconquered Xuzhou, and how could we be here today?"
"You have done a great job for me and my general, Xuzhou! How can you compare it with ordinary ministers? Unless there is a heavy reward, your merits will not be shown. If your merits are not shown, the people of the world will pay attention."
After Mi Heng heard about this incident, he was naturally very angry towards Chen Deng and even the Xiapi Chen family. In comparison, the previous conflict with Mi Fang was no longer worth mentioning.
As soon as Mi Heng got off his horse, the housekeeper from the mansion trotted over and helped him dismount and saddle him while whispering: "Master, the second master of the Wang family has been here for an hour and is waiting in the study."
"A whole bunch of people?" Mi Heng was startled for a moment, then asked, "Who else is there besides Wang Dian?"
"There are also several Confucian scholars such as his nephew Wang Rong, Yan Jiao, the young master of the Yan family, and Gao Jin of Donghai."
"Gao Jin?"
Hearing this name, Mi Heng frowned immediately: "Isn't this person recommended by Chen Yu to go to Beihai as an official? Since he has good relations with the Chen family, there is no need to meet with me. Go and send him away.
"
"Sir, it seems inappropriate to let him leave alone, right? Gao Jin is quite famous in the East China Sea, and he can be regarded as a young hero. If he loses face like this, he will forge a big feud."
The housekeeper was an old man who followed Mi Heng all the way and was quite loyal to him. Mi Heng did not take into account the human sophistication. He thought about it, thought about it for a while and said: "If not, I will go and tell you that you are busy with official duties.
We only see Wang Dian today, how about letting the others retreat first?"
"Yeah, that's okay."
Mi Heng nodded, turned to the backyard first, changed into regular clothes, and then walked into the main hall. At this time, everyone else had left. The huge hall was empty. There were only two or three maids waiting outside, and Wang Dian sat alone.
in.
"It would be rude of me to wait for you, Your Majesty."
Although the words were so polite, the actual performance was completely different. After Mi Heng entered the hall, he just glanced at Wang Dian lightly, then walked past him with a sharp look and sat directly on the chair.
After taking the main seat, he immediately asked the maid outside the hall, "Watch the tea."
But there is no courtesy at all to welcome guests.
This is really a bit neglectful. You must know that Wang Dian is a direct descendant of the Wang family of Langya. He comes from a high family, and he is older than Mi Heng. Even when Wang Zheng saw him and his brother Wang Rong, he was very angry on the surface.
respected.
Wang Dian was very angry in his heart, but on the surface he did not show it. Instead, he stood up, bowed his hands, and then opened the topic with a smile: "Sir, you are an important minister of the state and the pillar of the country. Naturally, you have many affairs.
Going out during the day and coming back at night shows the hard work, which is naturally not comparable to that of an idle person like me. What you say after a long time is really serious."
Mi Heng smiled faintly and did not answer. When the maid brought the tea, he took a sip of it and then looked at Wang Dian and asked: "When will the prince come to Shouchun?"
"Just arrived yesterday."
"I just arrived yesterday and came to visit today. It seems that the prince is quite eager to come."
Mi Heng nodded and said calmly: "But for the sake of the Lord's justice and his wife?"
"good."
Mi Heng got straight to the point, so Wang Dian naturally went straight to the point, "When my brother heard that Zhou Mu wanted Bu Wan'er to be his wife, he was shocked. He even asked me to come to Shouchun to meet Mr. and ask why it's not Mi Zhen?"
"Why not Mi Zhen?"
Mi Heng sneered and said: "Whoever the lord likes will naturally marry and make him his wife. Does the prince think that I, a mere Zuo Sima, can control the lord?"
"That's not what I meant."
How could Wang Dian dare to accept this, and quickly explained: "It's just that Bu Wan'er is just a slave, with a low status, and she is from Yangzhou. How can she be my mistress in Xuzhou because of her emotions and rationality?"
"Haha, from Yangzhou?"
Hearing this, Mi Heng looked at Wang Dian with a smile but not a smile, "The two princes have joined the Xuzhou family, but they don't know Bu Wan'er's true identity?"
"Identity?" Wang Dian was startled when he heard this and asked hurriedly: "What is the identity of this woman?"
Mi Heng did not answer directly. Although he did not agree with Guo Jia's strategy, and now the strategy has obviously failed, since Wang Zheng did not disclose Bu Wan'er's identity at this time, it is naturally impossible for Mi Heng, as a minister, to make his own decisions.
Tell others.
Of course, since he pointed it out today, once Wang Dian returns to Xiapi and informs Wang Rong, given the power and background of the Langya Wang family in Xuzhou, it is not too difficult to find out the truth.
"This matter has been settled, there is no need to say anything more." After saying that, Mi Heng looked at Wang Dian again, "Does the prince have anything else to do?"
Wang Dian lowered his head and thought for a moment, then raised his head and asked: "If Mi Zhen's matter fails, what about Pengcheng?"
As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he noticed a change in Mi Heng's expression, and he couldn't help but be shocked: "Why, is there something discordant about this matter?"
"It's more than discordant!" Mi Heng snorted heavily, briefly recounted the proceedings, and then said angrily: "Although my lord did not explicitly refuse today, judging from his original intention, he still valued Xu Fang and Wu Sheng more.
There are more of the latter, and even several of the ideas we discussed earlier left the table before they could be brought up. Your Majesty, if you hope to use Xu Fang to boost your own wings, hey, it may not be possible."
Regarding Mi Heng's two recent proposals, Wang Zheng's suspicion and vigilance are not bad at all.
Whether it was the extremely abrupt suggestion that Mi Zhen be his wife, or the statement that "the generals in Pengcheng should be the most important in repaying merit," Ni Heng indeed had selfish motives.
You must know that although you were the first civil servant to defect to the royal government, Mi Heng had basically no friendship with the Tianjun or Qingzhou generals.
In the eyes of Wu Sheng, Yu Jin and others, they have never really taken Mi Heng seriously. Why?
Because these people also have the two biggest auras about Mi Heng.
When it comes to their status in Wang Zheng's heart, these people are not inferior to Ni Heng in the slightest. And when it comes to Conglong Jiuchen, these generals have taken refuge under Wang Zheng earlier than him and are older than him. Who will treat him?
Take it seriously?
This situation has actually become more obvious since Guo Jia joined.
Because Guo Jia is best at maneuvering and strategizing, he can make these generals clearly understand his talent and power. In contrast, Mi Heng's eloquence, civil servants and even internal affairs abilities are in their eyes
, but it is a useless technique.
Originally, Mi Heng's original purpose of joining Wang Zheng was to use his power to avenge his family, so Mi Heng didn't care at all whether the Qingzhou generals obeyed him or whether he had authority in the Heavenly Army.
As long as Wang Zheng's power continues to grow stronger and his confidence in dealing with Yuan Shao and the Runan Yuan clan continues to increase, in Mi Heng's view, that is enough.
But when Wang Zheng's power really continued to grow bigger and stronger, and he even had more and more opportunities to compete in the Central Plains and aspire to be the supreme king, Ni Heng's mind changed unknowingly.
After all, he is a Confucian scholar, and a Confucian scholar absolutely cannot refuse the temptation of "ruling the country and bringing peace to the world."
But at this moment, Guo Jia came.
Guo Jia and Mi Heng, one is unrestrained and outgoing, while the other is reserved and introverted, they are incompatible with each other, so from the first time he met Guo Jia, Mi Heng did not have a good impression of this person.
In fact, Guo Jia doesn't like Mi Heng's arrogance, but the genius is deep and knows the way of being a minister. Even if Mi Heng repeatedly makes provocations, he always restrains himself and does not have a direct conflict with him, and maintains a calm attitude in front of Wang Zheng.
He Niheng's appearance of "gentlemen are harmonious but different".