In July of the 19th year of Xian De, Prince De Zhao Jue returned. The king asked him about his attack on Shu. At that time, the Prime Minister Shang Weijun made the main attack on Shu. The whole court and the public supported him. Prince De tried to stop it, but the king was hesitant. Seven
On the 15th day of the lunar month, Liang, the righteous daughter of King Ling, held a banquet at Mingyue Tower and invited Prince De to the banquet. The other guests present at the banquet were Prime Minister Shang Weijun, King Li Xian of Qi of Dayong, Qin Zheng, the staff of King Qi, and Jiang Zhe were also invited.
This may be because Jiang Zhe, a low-ranking official, was able to sit at the table to hear about important events in the country, or because he had two minds at the time, but the actual evidence does not seem to be certain.
After the banquet, Prince De returned angrily. Jiang Zhe caught up with him and spoke to Prince De for a few words. The prince was silent. Afterwards, he went to the public meeting to discuss the attack on Shu. The king was silent and the plan to attack Shu was completed. Some people may have said that the prince would not stop the attack.
The controversy over Shu is all Jiang Zhe's fault, and he is not guilty of the most serious crime. However, I learned from the prince's staff that what Jiang Zhe said was that he was really devoted to Chu——
"History of Chu in the Southern Dynasties Biography of Jiang Suiyun"
Prince De Zhao Jue has returned, and the turbulent discussions about attacking Shu have calmed down a lot, because Zhao Jue went directly to pay homage to the late king as soon as he came back. When the late king passed away, Zhao Jue guarded the frontier and could not come back to attend the funeral. Now the political situation in the DPRK
The army had been pacified, and Zhao Jue was an important minister in the military. His opinion must be listened to in the plan to attack Shu, so he was specially ordered to return. After Zhao Jue cried and offered sacrifices, he went to the palace to see the king. He spoke frankly and tried his best in front of the king.
Blocking the attack on Shu. Zhao Jue's prestige in the court was very high, so many people immediately stopped talking about attacking Shu, but more people came to persuade him, especially the courtiers and celebrities from Shang Weijun's side.
But Prince De still refused to agree.
On July 15th, Princess Mingyue Liang Wan posted a message inviting Prince De to a banquet. She also invited Qi King Li Xian and Prime Minister Shang Weijun. Everyone knows what this means. In fact, the relationship between them, the powerful people who hold the power of the country,
The matter has nothing to do with me, but why should I participate? I looked at King Qi dumbfounded. I just said that I was just a small official and was not qualified to participate. His Highness King Qi actually said without changing his face: "It's just Miss Liang."
The banquet was held. You were sent by the king to receive me, so you naturally have to attend." Although I wanted to refuse, when the guards around His Highness King Qi all looked at me with murderous eyes, I still agreed. Who
If they are said to be indomitable, let them try to say no in front of these battle-hardened guards.
His Highness Prince Qi was the second one to arrive. This time the banquet was held at the Mingyue Tower. It was midsummer and the heat was unbearable. All the windows in this small building were open, and buckets filled with hidden ice were placed everywhere.
, it was cool inside the building, Liang Wan was wearing a light yellow shirt, sitting at the main seat, Shang Weijun was wearing a silk robe, sitting on the second chair from the left, and under him sat a black-shirted scholar.
The gentleman was Nian Yuan, Shang Weijun’s staff. When Shang Weijun saw His Royal Highness King Qi arriving, he stepped forward to greet him with a smile on his face. When he saw me, he frowned. I quickly took the opportunity and said, "I am accompanying you on orders."
Your Highness King Qi, since you are here, please allow me to excuse myself." Shang Weijun showed a satisfied smile and praised me for my knowledge. I thought I had a plan and was about to go downstairs. King Qi said with a bad smile.
He grabbed my arm and said, "Don't go, Master Shang. Since Jiang Hanlin is an official sent by the king, a student of the Hanlin Academy, and a talented man from Southern Chu, why not let him listen here.
"Shang Weijun frowned and finally did not dare to offend His Highness King Qi. He just gave me a warning look and told me not to say anything.
The King of Qi sat in the first place on the right, and Young Master Qin sat below him. I had no choice but to sit below Young Master Qin, and could not sit on the left. After all, King Qi insisted that I stay. Not long after waiting, I heard a message coming from outside the door.
With loud laughter, a handsome man wearing the color of a prince walked in. Because King Ling passed away less than a year ago, he wore a mourning crown on his sash. It was Prince Zhao Jue of De, followed by a man behind him.
A middle-aged Confucian scholar in green and a samurai in black with a sword. When I saw Zhao Jue, I almost screamed. This man was actually the man in gray who told his fortune before I was in high school. If he was Prince De,
Then he must have been stationed at Hengjiang, preparing for a sneak attack on Moling. No wonder he asked me to calculate the bad luck. I answered him at that time that "there are disputes internally and strong enemies externally". Now that I think about it, it actually coincided with the situation. This Prince De is the younger brother of King Ling.
, a military minister, I never thought that I had told his fortune. I wonder if he still remembers me?
Zhao Jue's eyes passed over everyone in the room one by one, but did not stop on me. He probably had no memory of me. He just seemed a little suspicious of my identity.
Zhao Jue sat at the chief left seat, the warrior stood behind him, and his staff sat at the bottom seat at the left hand. Because I deliberately separated a seat from Mr. Qin, the man happened to sit opposite me.
We looked at each other, and I smiled ingratiatingly, but the man looked at me inquiringly for a while with sharp eyes.
Zhao Jue sat down, a maid brought tea, and then left. Liang Wan stood up and said: "I have been entrusted by the King of Qi and the Prime Minister to invite Prince De to the banquet, although I should not be involved in military affairs.
Yes, it’s just that you adults need someone to take care of you, so I have no choice but to stay. This matter concerns Dayong and Nanchu. I was born in Dayong and received the favor of the previous king of Nanchu, so I absolutely dare not reveal even a single word.
"
Zhao Jue smiled lightly and said: "Miss Liang is the righteous daughter of the late king, and she can also be regarded as Zhao Jue's niece. Zhao Jue naturally believes in the young lady, but I don't know what His Highness King Qi and the Prime Minister have to say."
Li Xian looked at Zhao Jue and said with a smile: "I have heard for a long time that Prince De is the most famous general in Southern Chu and the commander-in-chief of the Southern Chu army. When I saw him today, he was really elegant and graceful. Although Li Xian is a prince, but in
He is just a general in the army. When it comes to his position, Li Xianyou is under the prince. He is not worthy of the title of "Jiaojiao". It's just that Prince De blocked the plan to attack Shu. This is not consistent with the title of a famous general. Please give me your advice.
.”
Zhao Jue said lightly: "The Kingdom of Shu refuses to surrender to Dayong. Although it is guilty, the leader of the Kingdom of Shu was once a relic of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Although he and Dayong were ministers in the same dynasty, there is no distinction between monarch and minister. Now I don't know what the difference between the king and the minister is."
Why did Yong attack Shu on the grounds that Shu refused to surrender? Yong thought that the reason was sufficient. Although we, Southern Chu, were vassals of Dayong, we never had the duty to be dispatched by Dayong."
Li Xian laughed and said: "Prince De's words are wrong. Our Lord Yong is wise and wise, but the King of Shu separatizes the region and refuses to surrender. This is intolerable. If the Kingdom of Shu had surrendered to us earlier, I, the Emperor Yong, would not attack the Kingdom of Shu."
, I heard that the emperor's revenge can still be retaliated after nine generations. When the Shu Kingdom took advantage of the founding of our country in the Yong Dynasty, it sent troops to Qinchuan to burn, kill and loot, which made the emperor of the Yong Dynasty weep and shed blood. How can I not avenge this revenge?
Can be a man. Later, I, Dayong, attacked Nanchu, and the Shu Kingdom sent troops again. Although I was kind to Nanchu, I, Dayong, suffered heavy losses. The land of Sanqin was thousands of miles of ruins, and all living beings were devastated. Even afterwards, the Shu Kingdom also expressed its gratitude to you.
The country extorted countless women of gold and silk. From this point of view, the Kingdom of Shu is a bad wolf hiding in the dark. It usually lies dormant and cannot come out. If there is any gap between people, it will definitely come out to bite people. Now that Prince De is speaking for the Kingdom of Shu, I am afraid that
One day we will be swallowed up by this kind of friendly country that has no feelings and only cares about interests."
Zhao Jue said coldly: "Although Jue is not talented, he still knows the allusion of lips dying and teeth cold. I am afraid that after the fall of Shu, it will be my turn to be in Nanchu."
Li Xian was speechless. He knew very well that after attacking Shu, Nanchu would be the next target. However, he did not expect that Zhao Jue would not be afraid of offending Dayong so directly. As the prince of Dayong, he did not want to lie. At this time, Zhao Jue was not afraid of offending Dayong.
Mr. Qin took over the conversation and said: "That's wrong. The so-called lips and teeth are cold, which means we need to rely on each other and help each other in the same boat. Now the Shu Kingdom has repeatedly provoked Nan Chu, treating friendship as enemies. Now its teeth are as sharp as knives, and biting lips can cause blood. I
I don’t know what Prince De meant when he said his lips were dead and his teeth were cold.”
Zhao Jue smiled faintly, and the middle-aged man in blue shirt on his staff put down the folding fan swinging in his hand and said: "Although Southern Chu and Shu have a small dispute, it is not a shame or a big humiliation. After nine years of showing virtue, Dayong pacified the Central Plains, and Chen Bing
Yangtze River, if the Lord of Shu did not help and send troops to Qinchuan, how could Dayong stop his troops and make a truce. Even so, our Southern Chu still surrendered to Dayong. This is really a shame. Although the two countries are now reconciled, Princess Changle married our country.
Lord, it is a good marriage between the two countries. However, your country has been training its naval force in the north of the Yangtze River every year, and its intention to conquer the south has not ceased. I don’t know how His Highness the King of Qi can explain it."
Li Xian smiled and said: "Although the two countries have reconciled, there are not a few people in your country like the prince who have never forgotten the hatred between the two countries. If our country did not practice naval warfare, I am afraid that your country's army would have crossed the river long ago. Prince De has been stationed in the Yangtze River for a long time.
, don’t you know the situation? What’s more, since our country has already formed a good relationship with your country, my imperial sister is the beloved daughter of my father, and she is married to Nan Chu. In recent years, we have not only frequent exchanges, but also business and marriage. How can we be closed to the country like Shu?
Our country has long had military discussions, not to attack Shu to avoid trouble for those close to them, but to pacify Southern Chu in order to clear the country."
Zhao Jue sneered and said: "This is unreasonable. For the past ten years, our Southern Chu has paid tribute of gold, silver and silk every year, but your country has never refused to sell weapons and fine horses. How could it be like this if we were really good friends? Although the queen is the Princess of Dayong, then
How can one care about women when it comes to national affairs? In order to attack the Hu State, Zheng Wu Gong first married off his beloved daughter. Zhao Jue dare not forget it."
Mr. Qin said angrily: "It is intolerable that Prince De insults our country like this, but if you think about it carefully, the prince's concerns are not unreasonable. Please listen to my explanation to the prince. Our country's ban on the sale of weapons and horses is not aimed at you.
Our country, the northern border of our country is restless, and the border soldiers sleep day and night. How dare you sell war horses and weapons? What's more, your country has been in the south of the Yangtze River for a long time, and the south of the Yangtze River is full of rivers and lakes. If your country doesn't want to attack Dayong, why do you want war horses? Is it true?
Do you want to attack Shu?"
Zhao Jue was at a loss for words, and Shang Weijun quickly changed his mind and said, "Both the prince and Mr. Qin have made some mistakes. The reason why we are gathering today is not for the purpose of a dispute of temper. Please don't hold any grudges."
Zhao Jue and Mr. Qin both raised their tea cups and took a sip, indicating that they would give up the argument.
Mr. Qin took a breath and said: "Our country's plan for Shu is of course because the Shu Kingdom is stubborn and refuses to surrender. Although it formed an alliance, it failed to fulfill the covenant. The most hateful thing is that the output of our country's salt areas is insufficient, and the rest needs to be purchased from Shu.
, the country of Shu has repeatedly raised the price, the special products in the middle of Shu are rich, and the country of Shu has gathered the treasure land, this matter is really intolerable. If our two countries capture the country of Shu, we are willing to share the population and land of the middle of Shu equally with your country. You and I are separated from each other.
When the time comes to conquer the Yangtze River, the military strength of Southern Chu will be greatly increased, and we, Dayong, will still have border troubles. Nanchu controls the entire Yangtze River, so what else can we worry about? If this is the case, Prince De will not worry, thinking that he cannot resist Dayong,
It would be better to surrender as soon as possible. Does Nanchu just want to settle in the south of the Yangtze River and live and die under the control of others?"
Zhao Jue was silent, but just shook his head. He knew that the soldiers of Southern Chu were not strong in combat. If they attacked Shu, most of the land and population would fall into the hands of Dayong. If the results of the battle were divided equally, who would be the winner later?
Whose is it? Everyone looked at each other and saw the determined look on Zhao Jue's face. It seemed that no matter how bright his tongue was, he could not change his mind. A distressed look flashed in Li Xian's eyes and he glanced at Liang Wan. Liang Wan stood
He stood up and said: "Everyone is tired today. If you don't mind, please come downstairs to dine. I have prepared sour plum soup to relieve the heat. Please taste it."
Shang Weijun stood up and said with a smile: "I must attend Miss Liang's banquet, please."
Zhao Jue stood up, looked at Mr. Qin, and asked, "May I ask what your surname is and what official position you hold in Dayong?"
Prince Fan of Qin said: "I am Qin Zheng, and I serve under the king of Qi."
Zhao Jue smiled and said: "Young Master Qin's tongue is like a sharp sword. Zhao Jue admires it, but there are some things that no matter how well you say them, they can't be compared with the strength and interests. I, Nan Chu, think we are not qualified to fight against Dayong in the same court. If Dayong attacks Shu
Our country, Southern Chu, should strengthen its troops to protect itself."
Seeing how stubborn Zhao Jue was, Mr. Qin smiled bitterly and said, "Prince De is stubborn in his choice of good. He is not moved by words. Qin Zheng and Meng Lang, please forgive me."
Zhao Jue nodded slightly and said: "I am busy with military affairs, so I will leave first and ask for your forgiveness." Everyone did not expect Zhao Jue to be so decisive. They originally planned to give him some good advice after they were drunk with wine, but now they had no choice but to say goodbye.
Sending off. Several people exchanged glances from time to time. I felt something in my heart, and suddenly stood up and said: "My lords are already tired, so I will send you off to the prince." King Qi and others did not pay attention, and Shang Weijun said bitterly:
"That's fine, that's fine."
I followed Zhao Jue out. Zhao Jue was a little tired. I looked carefully at the prince, who was only thirty years old. He must have been under a lot of pressure over the years. After not seeing each other for three years, his temples were slightly frosty, and his hair was slightly frosty.
His body exudes perseverance and perseverance. This is my Optimus Prime of Nanchu. I admire him and feel sad for him. His hard work cannot be understood by others. I really don’t understand why he has such courage. Zhao Jue noticed
Catching my gaze, he asked calmly: "Who are you?"
I said respectfully: "Your Majesty Jiang Zhe, a student at the Hanlin Academy, is currently accompanying the Lord."
Zhao Jue was surprised and asked: "You are Jiang Zhe, why are you sitting with King Qi?"
I quickly explained: "Xiaguan was ordered to receive the King of Qi, and today the King of Qi will definitely ask Xiaguan to be present. Xiaguan is lucky enough to be able to listen to the prince's teachings. It is a blessing for three lifetimes."
Although Zhao Jue was a little strange, he did not delve into it, and said bitterly: "I have heard your poem, and it is really good. 'When I was drunk, I read the sword by the light of the lamp, and dreamed of blowing the trumpet company. Eight hundred miles away, my subordinates are burning, fifty strings.
The sound of breaking through the fortress. The soldiers were dispatched in the battlefield. The horse was flying fast, and the bow was as frightened as a thunderbolt. It settled the affairs of the king and the world, and won the reputation before and after life. The misfortune happened in vain.'" He seemed to be intoxicated in the song "I wrote in Jiangxia"
In the artistic conception of "Broken Formation", he caressed his temples for a moment unintentionally. After a long time, he said calmly: "Do you think we should attack Shu."
Seeing that there were no outsiders around, I said, "Before I express my opinion, could you please allow me to ask you three questions?"
Zhao Jue glanced at me in surprise and said, "Just ask."
A trace of sadness flashed in my eyes, and I asked the question: "First, may I ask your lord, whether from the ruler of the country to the common people in Southern Chu, is there anyone who understands Dayong's wolfish ambitions as well as your lord?"
Zhao Jue was silent for a long time and said: "Not many people, even my trusted subordinates, advised me to attack Shu."
I asked again: "Second, may I ask, Your Majesty, if Dayong himself attacks Shu and Shu asks me to send troops to rescue him, will I, Nan Chu, dare to send troops?"
Zhao Jue said sadly: "I don't dare. Our kings and ministers will definitely sit back and watch the destruction of Shu."
I knew that he was heartbroken, but I still asked the third question: "Thirdly, if the prince tries to prevent the attack on Shu, but the king's purpose is firm, he has to choose another general. I don't know if there is anyone in Southern Chu who can lead the army better than the general."
Soldiers fighting?"
I asked these three questions in a row, each one more sharp than the last. Zhao Jue broke into a cold sweat and looked at me intently.
I lowered my head and said: "Today, our country can no longer be independent. If the prince insists on refusing, and the king sends others to attack Shu, our soldiers are not as good as those of Shu and Dayong. If we consume too much when attacking Shu, we will
At that time, Dayong wanted to defeat our country, Nanchu, and it was overwhelming. If the prince personally marched, he could get some of the key points in Bashu as a foundation, get the Longyou Pass as a buffer, and then secure Xiangfan, then Dayong could at least protect Nanchu due to the situation.
After decades of imperial rule, in the future, if we, Southern Chu, can work hard and endure hardships, we may not be able to conquer the world."
Zhao Jue's face first showed sadness, then returned to calm, and then his eyes revealed a look of perseverance, saying: "Master Jiang is truly an unparalleled warrior. If I lead the army to attack Shu, Master Jiang is willing to be my staff."
Are you kidding me? I don't want to go to the battlefield, so I said calmly: "I don't understand military strategy and dare not obey you. If the prince asks you something, I will definitely tell you everything I know."
Zhao Jue glanced at me in astonishment, as if he didn't understand why I refused such a road to Qingyun. He said solemnly: "Everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of a country. Mr. Jiang is our Southern Chu vassal, how can he not do it for us?"
Chu will try his best, and you should think about it carefully." After that, he led the people and left.
I looked at Zhao Jue's back angrily. You repay a kindness with a grudge. I just pointed you out, and you want to repay me like this. You want me to go to the battlefield. It's really unreasonable. What should I do? Who can help me so that I don't have to join the army? I'm miserable.