Suppressing the rebellion, conducting a comprehensive sweep, and eliminating the remnants... Like most rebellions in history, everything was going on in an orderly manner. By the time everything came to an end, it was already midnight.
Wang Yu didn't have to interfere in all this.
In fact, in a street battle in an unfamiliar place, his five hundred elite cavalry would not be of much use. As long as he stood still, he could pose a great threat to the rebels in the city and speed up the counterinsurgency.
According to Wang Yu's original intention, he was planning to camp outside the city and wait for dawn before entering the city. If nothing else, Tao Qian's physical condition was a big problem. In this matter, Zhang Ning would not and had no reason to deceive.
he.
However, Tao Qian insisted that he enter the city. Not only did he want to enter the city, but he also showed that he wanted to talk all night long, which made Wang Yu very worried.
"Mr. Tao, it's already so late today and we've been noisy for so long. You'd better rest first," Wang Yu advised.
"Haha, Pengju, you don't have to worry too much. You know your own body. Every time I see your majestic appearance, I feel happy. Your body seems to be a few years younger."
Tao Qian chuckled, holding Wang Yu's hand, looking up and down, and then looked at the group of heroes behind Wang Yu, and said with interest: "Are these the rising stars of the Hussars? Let me guess...
…This man with silver armor and silver spear must be Changshan Zhao Zilong who killed Cao Ren and punished Wen Chou, right?”
"Don't dare, Zhao Yun has met Mr. Tao." Zhao Yun clasped his fists and saluted. Zhao Yun knew Tao Qian well before he joined Wang Yu's army. The old man once served as the governor of Youzhou, and the border had been calm in those years.
, so it enjoys a very good reputation in the border areas.
"Okay, okay." Tao Qian didn't say much. He patted the back of Zhao Yun's hand and looked at Wei Yan: "This general must be Yiyang Wei Wenchang who can lift a thousand catties of gate, right? Sure enough, these two men are like tigers and wolves..."
, he must be an honored guest from Jingzhou, right? The disciples of Jia Wen and Hetian Yuanhao will definitely excel in the future..."
He made a casual comment and actually told everyone's identities and deeds verbatim. Even Wang Yu was a little surprised.
"Tao Gong, what are you..."
"Haha, to tell you the truth, I know everything about Qingzhou. It was Colonel Li before, and then the little girl from the Zhang family. I asked them about the people in Qingzhou when I had nothing to do, and naturally I knew more clearly. Information and
It's a bit troublesome to deal with people, but even though I'm old, I'm still not confused. No, no one has admitted his mistake, right?"
Tao Qian smiled and said, his face glowing red. He didn't look like a sad and dying old man at all, but like a child showing off his proud achievements.
The more this happened, the more frightened Wang Yu became. The four words "Return to Light" kept swirling in his mind. But there was nothing he could do. Even though he had the power to lift mountains and destroy seas, he could not do anything about the natural laws of birth, old age, sickness and death.
With a hint of recollection, Tao Qian said with emotion: "When I was a boy, I longed to fight on the battlefield. At that time, I must have been fourteen years old. I led a group of urchins in the countryside, carrying a rag as a weapon.
Flag, riding a bamboo horse to play... When we were in Mengjin, Pengju, you were fourteen years old, right?"
"My nephew was already fifteen years old at that time."
"Almost, almost."
Tao Qian waved his hand indifferently and continued: "When I first heard about your record in Mengjin, I was still a little unconvinced. But during the Suizao incident, Bogui was shunned by everyone, and you stepped forward and spoke out boldly.
After a few words, my eyes lit up at that time. I thought, our Han Dynasty will have another pillar... Doesn't this mean that I have a good eye for people, right?"
"That's natural." I don't know whether he was too excited or a little confused. What Tao Qian said was a little unfocused. He said the same thing all at once, which made Wang Yu a little confused. He didn't know whether to be modest or what to say.
Able to agree vaguely.
"Come on, come on, let's talk... I don't have as many delicacies as Gaotang here, but the chefs have also gone to Gaotang to learn, so there shouldn't be much difference." Tao Qian sighed without any emphasis, and then invited everyone
He took his seat and ordered the banquet to begin.
Zhao Yun and others are all smart people. By now, they have felt the strange atmosphere to some extent. They were at a loss for a while and could only look at Wang Yu and wait for him to give instructions.
Wang Yu looked at Tao Qian's eager expression and knew he couldn't refuse. He sighed secretly in his heart and nodded imperceptibly.
My body knows that the old man is probably hinting to me that he can't survive tonight. Instead of trying to force him to rest, it's better to comply with his wishes and have this last night of fun.
Woolen cloth.
Although it was almost midnight, there were so many things going on in the city that not many people could sleep peacefully. There were also many people in the governor's mansion, so everything was quickly prepared and the dishes and wine were served like a flowing stream.
Wang Yu took a quick look and found that it was really similar to the popular cooking methods in Gaotang. Even the stir-fried dishes he had recently developed were several. Especially the plate of oyster sauce lettuce, which was not much worse than the star chefs of later generations. It was green.
The lettuce leaves are shiny with oil, which makes people move their index fingers just by looking at them.
"We are in such a hurry, we are already hungry. Don't worry about me, just eat." Tao Qian smiled kindly, his expression was like looking at a house full of children and grandchildren.
I was indeed hungry. I was traveling in such a hurry, and there was only dry food to eat on the way. Leng Ding saw a table of dishes that were delicious, delicious, and delicious. Who could not be hungry?
Anyway, looking at this, Lao Tao wouldn't be able to talk about the topic unless he ate everything. Wang Yu took the lead, moving his chopsticks like flying, and started eating like the wind sweeping away the remaining clouds.
The generals were not slow to eat. Most of the food on the table was gone in no time. General Wang Yu was eighty percent full. At this moment, Tao Qian spoke.
"Pengju, what do you think of Xuzhou right now?"
Wang Yu slowly put down his chopsticks and frowned slightly.
Xuzhou is now a mess. The forces involved directly or indirectly have reached an outrageous level. Almost all the princes who have a little involvement are involved. If you have any ideas, it is nothing more than "a mess".
A word.
But obviously, this is not the answer Tao Qian wants to hear.
In a sense, from the moment Tao Qian sent him the invitation through Zhang Ning, the old man had already been making arrangements for tonight's meeting. His purpose was of course not to throw a Hongmen banquet, but to explain the funeral arrangements to him.
Apart from the ruined Xuzhou, what the old man wants to leave to him is sustenance.
That's right, it's sustenance.
Whether it is paying attention to the characters in Qingzhou or imitating Qingzhou in life, Tao Qian seems to be quite happy to consider himself a part of Qingzhou. Apart from entrusting his dreams and the like, Wang Yu can't think of other possibilities.
.
Now that he asked about his handling of Xuzhou, he must also want to confirm it with himself, right?
Thinking like this, Wang Yu slowly said: "Xuzhou is in chaos now, but there is no clue to follow. The reason lies in the strength of our hussar army... Yuan Jiujiu and other princes have the need to expand their territory on the one hand, and on the other hand
On the other hand, they don’t want to see our army continue to grow; Chen Hanyu and other local powerful people are afraid that the Qingzhou New Deal will affect them; on the other side of Xiapi..."
"I'm worried about losing the power and position I have now." Tao Qian took over the words, and then sighed: "I'm so jealous, but what's wrong with being a happy rich man? I'd rather be a peace dog than a person in troubled times.
!”
"My nephew is also not thinking carefully."
Tao Qian waved his hand: "I don't blame you, I don't blame you. I originally wanted to hold on for a few more years, at least until you completely pacified Hebei... Alas, fate is not up to you, and it is impossible to think about it."
Sighing again, Tao Qian suddenly changed the topic and asked: "Pengju, do you know why I am willing to face the ridicule of the world, the dissatisfaction of Xuzhou, and always be a vassal of Qingzhou?"
Wang Yu hesitated. He had thought about this problem, but he had never thought about it too deeply. Who made Tao Qiansan's allusion to Xuzhou impress him so deeply? Since he was willing to give up even Xuzhou's foundation, he would not give up anything else.
It’s also a matter of course.
In fact, political alliances are often very unreliable. Historically, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were good friends at first, but later they turned against each other. Didn't they fight a vigorous Guandu War? In the post-Three Kingdoms era,
The Sun-Wu alliance is also very weak. It's too late for both sides to be wary of each other. How can they provide such dedicated support?
It’s nothing more than the surrender of troops before, Qing and Xu are adjacent to each other! According to the international practice of distant relations and close attacks, unless they jointly face a powerful enemy that is difficult to fight and want the Qingzhou army to take the lead and serve as cannon fodder, Xuzhou will not support Qingzhou at all.
reasons.
Even Gongsun Zan was very scornful and wary of Wang Yu in the early stages of the Hebei War. Yuan Shu kept making small moves, and in the end he just broke up with him. The only one who has been doing his best to support Wang Yu regardless of gain or loss is Tao Qian.
.
Thinking about it carefully, Wang Yu felt that the conclusion he had reached earlier was indeed too hasty, and Tao Qian did not look like an idealist.
He said a little hesitantly: "Tao Gong's love, Yu..."
"Actually, I saw the future of a big man in you!" Tao Qian said so shockingly that he almost choked Wei Yan, who was eating so hard that he was frightened.
"Why did Tao Gong say this?" Wang Yu was surprised and confused. Even the shogunate's assistants and his father did not understand many of the policies he implemented in Qingzhou. How could Tao Qian suddenly say such a sentence? What's more,
When Tao Qian surrendered the army for the first time, he didn't have time to govern or anything, he just fought a few battles.
Tao Qian said seriously: "Pengju, what do you think is the root cause of the decline of the Han Dynasty?"
"Is it... a family?" Wang Yu said uncertainly. The core idea of Qingzhou's new policy is to eliminate the influence of aristocratic families. Everything else is designed around this core. He couldn't hide this even if he wanted to.
Tao Qian's face flashed red and he said loudly: "Yes, it's the clan! The clan is a great harm to the world!"