Chapter 56 15. Cui Qingyuan fulfilled his mission

Of course Wei Xiaowen Emperor Tuoba Hong didn't want to miss this good opportunity for the Southern Expedition.Only one month after Xiao Luan proclaimed himself emperor, he used the name of Southern Qi to abolish and establish the young master, and discussed with the ministers the strategy of using troops on a large scale. This was the mistake of Emperor Xiaowen. Xiao Luan abolished the emperor and massacred the clan in the autumn and winter of the eighteenth year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty. In the spring of the same year, Emperor Xiaowen had just persuaded the last group of diehards in Pingcheng to move the capital.In other words, the entire Northern Wei Empire was still in turmoil of moving its capital, and it would not be wise to launch a war outside before internal problems were straightened out.Just as Emperor Xiaowen said in Luoyang a year ago, moving the capital or going to war, you have to choose one. If you choose to move the capital, then you should not choose war immediately. Emperor Xiaowen seems to be too impatient.

The reason for the impatience may also come from an unknown "good news" in the south: Cao Hu, the governor of Yongzhou who was stationed in Xiangyang, an important town in the north of the Yangtze River, sent an envoy to surrender to the Northern Wei Dynasty.Emperor Xiaowen thought that after occupying Xiangyang, it would be easy to wipe out Jiangbei, but this was just an illusion. Although Cao Hu sent envoys, he did not send any hostages to show his sincerity.Shangshu Lu Yuan was unwilling to accept the task entrusted to him by Emperor Xiaowen at that time, and led the vanguard army to Xiangyang to meet Cao Hu's surrendered army.He pointed out: "Cao Hu will probably be the second Zhou Dory who surrendered to Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms." Veteran Gao Lu also said on the table: "It hasn't been long since the capital was moved to Luoyang. Since Cao Hu didn't send hostages, he must have not sincerely surrendered. Our army is not suitable. act rashly."

Emperor Xiaowen didn't listen to the opinions of the two. He insisted on fighting the Southern Qi Dynasty. Han Middle East) advance.I was also actively preparing in Luoyang, intending to use the main force to drive my own conquest, and ordered the Xianbei people who migrated to Luoyang to restore their rent for three years. However, Cao Hu really didn't have anything to say, and he didn't even send envoys anymore. The originally planned internal and external cooperation seemed to be a unilateral military operation of the Northern Wei Dynasty.Emperor Xiaowen summoned a group of ministers to discuss whether to leave or stay in the army, and the opinions were extremely inconsistent.Emperor Xiaowen waved his hand and said, "You don't have to argue, I think it's a good idea to have a debate. Ren Chengwang (Tuoba Cheng) and Zhennan General (Li Chong) both agree to stay, and I agree to send troops. Discuss it, and whichever side makes sense, listen to the opinion of whichever side." Everyone heard that the emperor was going to hold a debate contest with the ministers, which was really new, and they all thought it was a good idea.

Li Chong opened his mouth first and said: "Your ministers think that the move of the capital has not stopped, and people feel at ease; the internal affairs of Qi State don't know the details, so it's better not to move." Emperor Xiaowen laughed and said, "It doesn't matter whether Cao Hu really surrendered or not. If he surrendered falsely, I will inspect the north and south of the Huai River, visit the sufferings of the people, and let the common people know that the king's virtue is in the north and not in the south. They will naturally turn their hearts to the north." "If he really surrenders and doesn't respond now, he will miss the opportunity, lose people's hearts, and ruin the grand plan of Guangbu Ende."

Tuobacheng also said: "Cao Hu didn't send hostages, and the envoys didn't come again. There must be fraud. Now the people who migrated from the north to the south have gone through untold hardships, supporting the old and bringing the young. When they arrive in Luoyang, what they think is still Homeland (this is the crux of the problem). These people have no houses to live in, no stone rice to eat, not to mention that winter is coming and spring is coming, which is the time when a large number of people are needed to cultivate. But we let They hold weapons and go to the battlefield. How can such an army have combat effectiveness? Moreover, our forward army has already advanced, so it is impossible to say that we will not meet Cao Hu. If his letter of surrender is true, when our army captures Fancheng and Mianshui ( That is Hanshui), Your Majesty will follow up with Che Luan, it is not too late! Recklessly marching troops, exhausting the upper and lower ranks, returning empty-handed, fearing defeating the might of the sky, but increasing Qi’s aura, this is the worst policy!"

The debate between the two parties became fierce, but Sikong Muliang unexpectedly expressed his opinion, supporting Emperor Xiaowen's point of view, and the officials behind him followed suit.Tuoba Cheng said angrily: "Mu Liang, Mu Liang, it was you people who disagreed with the emperor's southern expedition in the past, why do you say that to the emperor now? It's outrageous to deceive and flatter you!" Li Chong said to Emperor Xiaowen, "Ren Chengwang is loyal to the country!" Emperor Xiaowen didn't take it seriously, and said: "The meaning of the king of Rencheng is that those who listen to my words are traitors, and those who don't listen to my words are all loyal ministers? The so-called small loyalty is the opposite of great loyalty!"

Tuobacheng refused to accept it, and argued: "My humble minister is stupid. My little loyalty is to serve the country wholeheartedly. I don't know what your majesty's so-called great loyalty should do?" The "loyal minister" of "My Zifang" ordered troops to be dispatched to Luoyang, and the army went to Xuanhu, an important town on the border. Emperor Wei Xiaowen, who was calm and unhurried in planning to move to Luoyang a year ago, became so impatient and aggressive a year later, even the words of Tuoba Cheng and Li Chong, who fully supported him to move the capital, were ignored. People find it incredible.In fact, this reflects the difference between the monarch and his ministers on the same issue.For Tuobacheng, the king of Rencheng, the most important thing after moving the capital is stability. If you want to be stable, you must avoid war. Therefore, the people who moved south should be re-invested in production and reconstruction, and gradually forget the longing for their homeland. .What Emperor Xiaowen had to consider was the century-old plan for the entire empire, so it was impossible to focus on doing one thing well.What he wants to achieve is to let the people realize the benefits of moving south as soon as possible.Luoyang is not far from the Huai River. If he can use this to take all the counties in the north of the Yangtze River and further integrate the Han and Hu (Xianbei) parties, then the resistance to his subsequent Sinicization measures will be greatly reduced. Otherwise, his rule will always be difficult. There is a crisis lurking.At that time, Fu Jian resisted all opinions and insisted on destroying the Eastern Jin Dynasty. The core idea was similar to that of Emperor Xiaowen.Therefore, the option of the Southern Expedition itself is not bad. What needs to be discussed is actually a matter of timing. In other words, is it worthwhile to work hard at this time?

("Since ancient times, kings are so lonely." Whether Emperor Xiaowen's decision-making is right or wrong, we can comment on it today. However, from Emperor Xiaowen's sigh, we can also read a little bit of loneliness and helplessness behind the great talent.) In the Southern Dynasties, since Emperor Song Ming lost the four counties of Huaibei, the prefectures and counties were relocated.Among the several large prefectures in Jiangbei, Xuzhou is governed in Zhongli, Sizhou is governed in Yiyang, and Yuzhou is governed in Shouyang.Emperor Xiaowen's strategy was that Tuobayan, governor of Xuzhou, attacked Zhongli, and General Liu Chang and General Pingnan Wang Su attacked Yiyang. Wang Huan used to be the governor of Yongzhou in the Southern Qi Dynasty. He killed the long history Liu Xingzu because he abused his power, and his family was killed by Emperor Wu of Qi. In addition, because Cao Hu did not really surrender, he had to order Lu Yuan who attacked Xiangyang and Chengyang King Tuoba Luan to attack Zheyang, the important town of Yongzhou (now east of the southern city of Henan), with the intention of seizing the Nanqi granary for military use.

The two paths of Zhongli and Yiyang suffered successive setbacks.The governors of Emperor Qi Ming Xiaoluan's faction in Xuzhou and Sizhou were all from the Xiao clan. The governor of Xuzhou was Xiao Huixiu, the son of Liu Song general Xiao Sihua, and the governor of Sizhou was Xiao Chen's elder brother Xiao Dan.The strategy of both of them was to strictly defend and resist the enemy. Xiao Huixiu went out of the city many times to fight back, which made Tuoba Yan lose his temper. This journey of Emperor Xiaowen crossed the Huai River and arrived at Shouyang just like Fu Jian did a century ago.Wei Jun claimed 300,000, but in fact it was about 100,000.Emperor Xiaowen climbed Bagong Mountain and sent people to the city to spread the word that he would meet the Southern Qi guards for a while.

Shouyang was guarded by Xiao Luan's nephew, Yuzhou Inspector Xiao Yaochang, who sent Cui Qingyuan and Zhu Xuanzhi out of the city to meet with Tuoba Hong.A war of words between the monarchs and ministers between the North and the South started outside Shouyang City. Cui Qingyuan was not intimidated by the Northern Wei army waving banners and flags. When he entered Tuoba Hong's tent, he first "consoled": "It's too hard to travel far away in Huai and Si, with the flag and cover fluttering?" Tuoba Hong said: "The soldiers of our army are leaping like dragons and tigers, and they have traveled thousands of miles in a flash. The distance they have traveled is not far, so it is not hard work."

Cui Qingyuan heard the smell of gunpowder in the other party's words, so he said: "The king of Chu once asked Guan Zhong who was leading the princes: "Why is it that the king of Yu is involved in our land?" Today I also want to ask Wei Guoxing's reason for mobilizing the crowd. " Tuoba Hong replied: "Of course there is a reason. Do you want me to save you some face, or just reprimand me?" Cui Qingyuan looked disdainful: "I live in the north, I don't understand why you came here, so let's be straightforward!" Tuoba Hong asked: "Okay, then I have nothing to ask. Why did the emperor of your country abolish the establishment? Is there any precedent?" Cui Qingyuan responded emotionally: "It's been like this since ancient times. Our emperor and the former Emperor Wu are called cousins, and we love each other like fish and water. Emperor Wu entrusted future affairs at the end of his life. The heir was desolate and immoral, so he was abolished. All the officials If you insist on requesting, the emperor will become the emperor, so why do you have any doubts?" Tuoba Hong asked again: "In this case, where are the descendants of Emperor Wu of Qi?" Cui Qingyuan replied: "The seven vassal kings have disrupted the country and have been punished like Uncle Guan and Uncle Cai in the Zhou Dynasty. The other twenty or so vassal kings are either officials in the court or local officials." Seeing Cui Qingyuan's fluent answers, Tuoba Hong admired his demeanor, and ordered his left and right to sit and set up drinks for him.Then Tuoba Hong asked again: "In this case, why didn't your emperor set up close relatives and learn from Zhou Gong to assist him to become a king, but to take the throne himself?" Cui Qingyuan said: "King Cheng has a noble character, and Duke Zhou assisted him, but today none of the close relatives in the court can compare with Cheng Wang, so he cannot be established. Didn't Huo Guang also establish a distant relative Xuandi instead of a close relative?" "If that's the case, would Huo Guang still be a loyal minister if he had established himself as a king?" Cui Qingyuan sneered: "Your analogy is not appropriate. It should be said that there is no difference between establishing Emperor Xuan or not. The current emperor is comparable to Emperor Xuan, how can Huo Guang compare? According to the logic of the foot, then why not King Wu? Li Weizi and assist him, but you want to be king yourself and covet the world?" Tuoba Hong laughed loudly, and the tense atmosphere suddenly eased.He said: "I came here to inquire about the crimes of the teacher. It is very useful to listen to what you said just now." Cui Qingyuan nodded and said: "The ancients said: 'Advance when you see what is possible, and retreat when you see difficulties.' This is the army of saints. Now that the two countries have restored the old relationship, wouldn't it be great?" Tuoba Hong asked him: "Do you want me to reconcile with your country, or not?" Cui Qingyuan replied: "Reconciliation means that the two countries will enjoy each other and the people will be happy. Otherwise, the two countries will become hostile and people will suffer. Peace and discord are only in the moment of one thought." Although Cui Qingyuan was a little-known little man, he did not disgrace his mission by verbally fighting Emperor Wei Xiaowen in this confrontation.Emperor Xiaowen, who admired Han culture, admired and was jealous at the same time, ordered Cui Qingyuan and others to be rewarded generously, and let them go back to the city.Emperor Xiaowen knew that he couldn't get a bargain in Shouyang City, so he had to send his troops eastward to reinforce Zhongli.