Chapter 46 Chapter Forty-Six

Chen Jingxuan ordered the guards and remnants of the cities to give up resistance. He and Tian Lingzi left Shaocheng from Qiaomen in the southwest city, and boarded the outer city from the southwest corner.Facing the tower, Chen Jingxuan felt a little dizzy: Wang Jian's army was stationed densely on the north bank of the Jinjiang River, and the soldiers who were desperately attacking the city just now had already lined up.In front of the team, countless flags fluttered in the wind.In the middle of the big banner, Wang Jianqing can be seen sitting on a horse with a sword in his hand from a distance.

At this moment, Tian Lingzi felt an indescribable feeling in his heart.This was the second time he saw Wang Jian at the top of the city.The last time it was Wang Jian who came to join him from Polutou Pass in Langzhou, but due to various reasons, he couldn't trust this adopted son in the end.Ten years in Hedong and ten years in Hexi, now I am begging Wang Jian to give me a way out.Tian Lingzi pursed his chapped lips, and shouted at Wang Jian under the wall, "Baer, ​​how did I treat you, why did you push me so hard?" Wang Jian looked up and saw Tian Lingzi: the cheeks that were plump before had become a little skinny, with prominent cheekbones.He sighed, and shouted to the city: "How dare Wang Jian forget the kindness of Junrong father and son? The emperor appointed Wei Xianggong as the master of Xichuan, but the grand master refused to obey the edict. Jian had no choice but to accept the emperor's edict to punish him. If the grand master Sincerely repenting is the luck of Chengdu and Xichuan, what else can I ask for? If Father En will not give up, Wang Jian wants to hold a banquet in the camp tonight to apologize to Father En!" After finishing speaking, he bowed his hands at the top of the wall .

That night, Tian Lingzi carried the seal of the Xichuan Jiedu envoy down the rope from the city, and offered the seal to Wang Jian's army.He also informed Wang Jian that in the early morning of the next day, Chen Jingxuan accepted the surrender of Kaesong. After Tian Lingzi was settled, Wang Jian couldn't help but hold Xichuan Jiedu envoy Yin in his hands.But after a short period of joy, the battle-hardened commander was surprisingly calm.Yes, the city of Chengdu has been won.But after that?Chengdu is the capital of Xichuan Road in Jiannan, but there are still remnants of Xichuan who have not attached themselves.He remembered the blueprint that Zhou Xiang had planned for himself many times: If he is the lord of troubled times, he must first win Sanchuan.Therefore, outsmarting Chengdu does not mean the end of his career, on the contrary, more hardships and challenges will be waiting for him.Right now, there are still many difficult things.He had promised many unreasonable gifts to his generals before, and even allowed some generals with outstanding military exploits to enter the city and rob them for three days.But now, he is clearly aware that if he wants to occupy Sanchuan, he needs to submit to the people and revive agriculture.Only when there is no need to worry about food and grass can we use Sanchuan.Zhang Jie, Tian Wei, and the foster sons are not easy to restrain, if they don't obey the rules after entering the city, it will cause serious problems.

It was late at night, but the lights in Wang Jian's big tent were brightly lit.Zhang Jie talked with Wang Jian for an entire hour.Ever since he was rescued by Wang Jian, Jin Hui and others in Xuzhou, this big man who once followed Wang Jian to kill cattle and sell salt has regarded Wang Jian as his only big brother and relative from the bottom of his heart.But in his memory, it was the first time that Wang Jian had such a solemn conversation with him alone.Although he couldn't understand his elder brother's plans for the future, he knew that what he was asked to do had something to do with his elder brother's future.So, he patted his chest and assured Wang Jian that this matter was left to Lao Zhang!Wang Jian patted Zhang Jie happily, and with his promise, he would not worry about not being able to restrain the three armies.He ordered that the main generals and partial generals of each battalion go to his own camp to discuss matters.

That night, none of the generals fell asleep.Two years of hard work finally brought the fruits of victory.Excited generals polished their armors to shine.They waited for their lord, the governor of the Yongping Army, Wang Jian, to speak for the last time before entering the city. Wang Jian looked around and saw hope in the eyes of all the soldiers.He cleared his throat, and said in a loud voice: "Brothers have worked hard these two years! Tomorrow Grand Master Chen will leave the city. After entering the city, I will list the meritorious deeds of all the generals to the emperor one by one. After the imperial edict, Let's talk about merit and deed rewards. Don't worry, everyone, if you have the wealth of my Wang Jian, you will have the wealth and honor of yours!" These two sentences lifted the spirits of the generals.But Wang Jian changed the subject: "However, I heard that there are still countless rascals in the city making troubles and harassing the people. As you generals, please know that starting tomorrow, this city belongs to us, and the people deserve our protection. Many of you Like me, we all come from poor families, and we have personally experienced the suffering of officials and soldiers oppressing us. Now that we have such a city, we must not plunder our own people!" Wang Jian raised his voice half a degree, and said sharply: "I, Wang Jian, have something to say here. After entering the city, I will not treat the meritorious soldiers badly! But no one is allowed to burn the market and loot the neighborhood!" Pointing to Zhang Jie, "I have appointed Zhang Jie as the beheading envoy. Whoever dares to loot and disturb the people, he can kill first and then play. You follow me to fight in the north and south. If someone who commits crimes sees me because of Zhang Jie, I will miss the friendship for many years." Maybe I can spare your life; if it is for Zhang Jie to rectify the Fa on the spot, I will be helpless! Brothers, have you ever heard this clearly!"

"clear!" In the second year of Dashun (891 A.D.), Chen Jingxuan opened the gate of the city to greet Renyin morning in the autumn and August.On Guimao, Wang Jian personally led an army into the city.Within a few days, in the face of the prosperity of Jincheng, desperadoes looted against orders from time to time, Zhang Jie killed all the hundreds of captured soldiers through the chest, and piled up the corpses in the city.For a while, the army was panicked, and there were some arrogant people who wanted to loot the market, and they all restrained themselves seeing this situation.However, within three days, the city of Chengdu quickly returned to calm.Wang Jian ordered people to put up a notice of safety for the people, and ordered his subordinates to open a porridge factory to help the hungry citizens. Wang Jian used it as a courtesy to Chen Jingxuan's old generals and staff.

The Battle of Chengdu, which lasted for more than two years, finally came to an end with Chen Jingxuan's surrender, thus avoiding a catastrophe for the ancient city of thousands of years. .Subsequently, Wang Jianli played the imperial court.In October, the imperial court granted Wang Jianjian the envoy of Jiedu in Nanxichuan, the envoy of internal observation and disposal, and the emissary of eight countries in Yunnan and Xishan.Two years later, Wang Jian killed Chen Jingxuan and Tian Lingzi successively under pretext.The deaths of Chen and Tian also marked the end of an era in Xichuan.

Beginning in the evening, the pouring rain accompanied by thunder and lightning lasted all night.There are several parts of Jinjiang, and the river overflows into the streets.The street market, which had escaped a devastating war, seemed to have been thoroughly washed this night. As soon as it was dawn, Xu Geng waited on the side of the stone lion in front of the Jiedushi's mansion.Because when he went out, there was still sporadic residual rain in the sky, and Xu Geng was still wearing a coir raincoat. With a sound of "squeak", two guards pushed the heavy door of the mansion slowly opened, and a young man in his twenties walked out from the middle, dressed in coarse clothes, walked towards Xu Geng, and cupped his hands from a distance With a salute, he said: "Lord Inspector, I'm Wang Zongfan. My father knew you were coming to visit. He got up and waited after the third watch. I didn't want you to come so early." I noticed my voice was a little hoarse.

Xu Geng was taken to a side room with a garden, and there were almost no furnishings in the room.According to the layout of the Xichuan government office, this place should be a study.However, there is neither a desk nor a bookshelf in the room, only a few weapons leaning against the wall in a corner of the room.There is no calligraphy and painting hanging in the middle of the house, but a bow instead.For some unknown reason, Xu Geng couldn't help shivering, and for a moment, he had doubts about his decision to join Wang Jian.In the current world, eunuchs and warriors carve up one side of the world, and the peaceful and prosperous age when literati ruled the country is gone forever.And myself, after all, is a scholar, and Wang Jian, after all, is also a warrior.

Just as he was thinking, there was a sound of footsteps behind him.Xu Geng turned around and saw a man in a coarse long gown entering the garden.Looking at that person's face is very elegant, but there is a hint of wealth in his eyebrows.Xu Geng saw that this person had a simple bun on his head. If it wasn't for the hairstyle, it would be difficult to find that this person was not a scholar. Before Xu Geng could open his mouth, the man approached, arched his hands, bent down and gave Xu Geng a deep salute: "My lord, Wang Jian, I have long admired the governor!" Wang Jian was so flustered that he forgot to return the gift. "If your lord hadn't understood righteousness deeply, I, Wang Jian, might not have won this victory, and the people of the whole city might still be suffering!" Seeing that Wang Jian spoke in a leisurely manner, and was so humble to himself, the previous worry dissipated.Xu Geng felt ashamed: he was nothing, a scholar who was not favored by the emperor, and a useless person living in Western Shu.During the days under Tian Lingzi and Chen Jingxuan, he suffered the most difficult period of humiliation of dignity.He wanted to end this suffering as soon as possible, but he was content to have a peaceful life, so he risked his life and made the biggest decision in his life.He is cowardly in his heart, and this cowardice seems to be like many scholars, but compared to his dignity, this risk is worth it.What's more, when he really saw Wang Jian, he suddenly felt that the feeling he had been expecting was not far away.His intuition told him that the new Lord Xichuan was full of understanding and respect for scholars like him.

Xu Geng was not good at talking, so he declined and said: "The general is the master of the world, if Geng is willing to govern a county for the general, then his heart is enough!" "Inspector Xu is serious! I, Wang Jian, are a warrior. I have led troops to fight all these years, and I have never sat down to govern a city, let alone a city like Chengdu. These days, every time I think of this place, I can't sleep. I am afraid of going to bed. Fulfilling the great trust of the emperor and the expectations of the people. I heard from He Yuanwai that the lord is a famous scholar in Xichuan. He has lived here for a long time, understands the people here, and understands the sages here. I want to let the people live well, but I leave I can’t thank you scholars for your support!” Xu Gengneng felt that Wang Jian's words came from the heart.Xichuan has never lacked great writers with poems and prose, and there is no shortage of capable people who govern the country and the world.Troubled times can create many heroes.When fighting each other, the warriors can aspire to the world; when the fighting is resting, the counselors can stabilize the country.Right now, there is such a situation where all kinds of things are waiting to be done, and there are many, many opportunities for scholars like him who have no ambitions in troubled times.Thinking of this, he said to Wang Jian: "Xu Geng's lack of knowledge can't be reused. I hope to recommend talents for the general!" After finishing speaking, he slowly walked out of the room and came to the garden.The garden has not been taken care of for a long time, weeds are overgrown on both sides of the stone path, only a few bunches of dahlias are tilted upside down in one corner, and many chrysanthemum petals were knocked down after the heavy rain.This can't help but remind people of the old scene of Jinli in Chengdu's prosperous season, "Look at the red wet place at dawn, and the flowers are heavy in the official city of brocade". "If the general wants to visit a talented person, there are two people who must pay homage to him. The first one is Daoist, who currently lives in Qingyang Si in the west of the city. When the first emperor was lucky to Shu, he visited him in person and asked him to preside over Xichuan Taoism." "I don't need to tell the governor Xu, but I also know that this person gave Zi Taoist Du Xianzhang?" "The general is knowledgeable and knowledgeable! It is Du Shengbin. Although Du Xianchang is a monk, as far as I know, he has read history books and has the world in mind. If the general asks for advice, he may have a good way to govern Xichuan." "Remember, Wang Jian. The second person the governor said was..." "The Mochi in the north of the city is the former residence of Ziyun in Xishu. Now, there lives a talented person who can assist the general. This person's surname is Feng Mingjuan, and he is from Dongyang, Zhejiang. His grandfather Feng Su was once the Minister of the Ministry of Officials! Four years later, Feng Xinzhi became a Jinshi, and he had the highest reputation in that list, and he was still a boy in his twenties at that time!" Hearing this, Wang Jian couldn't help opening his mouth.Although he doesn't have the knowledge to judge these scholars, he knows that in this world, it is difficult to go to high school without aristocratic background, but with this background, failures abound.Many of the candidates running around on the way to Chang'an for the exam are old men with white beard and hair.Is this Feng Xinzhi really as Xu Geng said, when he is in his prime, he can overwhelm others?Xu Geng said again: "After the Son of Heaven ascended the throne, he was promoted to be a doctor of the temple department, and later promoted to the governor of Meizhou. It was only because Chen Jingxuan refused to accept the order and it was difficult to take up the post, so he supported himself in the Mochi irrigation garden. Feng Xinzhi is full of economics and has the ability to govern the country. The talent of Anbang. If the general is assisted by this person, he will not have to worry about the failure of great things!" Wang Jian was surprised and delighted, and said to himself: "It's a pity that such a strange person lives in troubled times! Can the governor recommend me? I would like to visit in person." "Feng Xin's eyes are empty and his words are loose. If the general wants to win this person, he must be rude..." "Okay, I will pay a visit to the corporal personally!" After the cold dew, it rained several times in a row in Chengdu, making it particularly cool.Wang Jian asked Zongji and Zongyao's adopted sons to accompany him to Qingyang Palace in the west of the city.It was once called "Xuanzhongguan", and it was the name bestowed by the late Emperor Xizong when he asked Du Guangting to preside over Taoist affairs in Chengdu.Wang Jian had heard for a long time that Xuanzhongguan lived in this Immortal Du, even if Xu Geng didn't recommend him, he would definitely come to visit Laojun.It is said that when Emperor Xizong was in Chengdu, a jade brick was dug out here and ancient seals were engraved on it, indicating that the emperor turned evil into good fortune.Later, when Li Xuan returned to Chang'an, he rewarded Xuanzhong Guan with two million yuan to build the palace.When Wang Jian came to Qingyang Palace, although the incense was not prosperous here, the newly built palaces and pavilions were magnificent. Wang Jian stepped into the quiet Taoist temple, passed through two empty halls, and came to the Sanqing Hall.He asked his two adoptive sons to wait outside the hall, stepped across the high threshold alone, and kneeled respectfully on the futon to bow to the statue of Yuqing Yuanshi Tianzun.At this time, there was a sound from the side, and a clear voice seemed to come from the heaven: "Tao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, three gives birth to all things, all things bear yin and embrace yang, and the qi is harmonious... There is no sect and no supremacy, Alone is the beginning of all things, the destiny of all things is supreme, always in the second world..." Wang Jian got up after paying his respects, looking for his reputation, he saw a group of people sitting quietly with their eyes closed, muttering something.According to Xu Geng's description, Wang Jian identified this person as Du Guangting.So, he boldly stepped forward and saluted respectfully: "The disciple has met Immortal Du..." The man still closed his eyes slightly, and said in his mouth: "God has the virtue of loving life, and sent the Jade Rabbit to come down to save a place of water and soil... General, please sit down." "Wang Jian long admired the immortal Changying's name, and he came to worship immediately when he entered Chengdu." "The general has a compassionate heart and didn't slaughter Luocheng. The people of Chengdu are lucky. Just now I saw that the general admires Sanqing and has a predestined relationship with my Taoist sect. It is very fortunate!" "To tell you the truth, the Wudang Taoist gods have saved my life, and I have also worshiped under his old man's family to learn art." "Oh..." Du Guangting smiled and opened his eyes, "The general really has a destiny with my Taoism." "Thanks to the great love of the Son of Heaven, I granted the post of Jiedu Envoy to Xichuan. It's a pity that I have little talent and learning, and I am afraid that it will be difficult to take on this important task. I am here at Qingyang Palace, and I would like to ask the immortal chief to come out of the mountain to help." Du Guangting shook his head, and declined: "I used to think that I could become a scholar, and I was willing to seek benefits for the monarch and the common people. Now that I have become a monk, it is inconvenient to ask ordinary people. There are many heroes in Xichuan, and there are people who can help you. If you are loved by the general, I would like to practice Taoism here and pray for blessings." "Since that's the case, Wang Jian dare not force him to stay. I am willing to repair the temple for the Immortal Elder and support him for life." "No, no... Chengdu is waiting to be rebuilt, the general should ask the people's sufferings, how can they spend money on large-scale construction projects? Qingyang Palace can't afford it, and Xichuan can't afford it either..." "Wang Jian will keep in mind the teachings of the Immortal Elder. I heard that the Immortal Elder traveled all over the three mountains and five mountains, and visited my Taoist masters, hoping to gather ancient and modern Taoist classics for future generations. A meager effort. I would like to write a letter to beg the emperor for grace, and send people to Chang'an to copy the remaining Taoist classics in the palace into Sichuan, thinking that the immortals will use them." Sure enough, Wang Jian's words deeply moved Du Guangting, who was compiling the history of Taoism. : "If you promote my Taoism, you will be admired by all generations! The general is now the master of Xichuan, and he cares about the people's livelihood. If you govern Xichuan with your heart, you will be loved by the people." "When I was in Wudang Mountain, I heard Taoists talk about 'governance by doing nothing'. I wanted to make Xichuan stable and prosperous, and I admired this kind of strategy that can make a prosperous world by doing nothing. However, I served as a military envoy in Chang'an Daming Palace. At that time, I heard those prime ministers talk about that inaction cannot rule the world, and Confucian scholars can achieve great things. It is said that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty abandoned Taoist "inaction" and reused Confucian scholars. The former emperor and today's emperor also have a preference for Confucianism .Wang Jian is ignorant and can't tell the truth from the fake, so he wants to ask the fairy elder for advice." Only then did Du Guangting take a closer look at Wang Jian. He sighed that this Jiedushi who was born as a general was able to think carefully about how to manage the land and water. "The general is willing to listen to me, a Taoist, talk about the way of governing the country, and make the poor Taoists panic, but this may also be a blessing for the people of Xichuan. Throughout the ages, many scholars and kings have been close to governing the country and the people with the Tao, but they are not concerned about "government by doing nothing." 'But there are partial interpretations. Besides, this is not the foundation of Taoism's governance of the people. Lao Tzu said that if you do nothing, you will rule everything. 'Inaction' means not doing nothing, but following the law, the way, and the people. Everything in the universe , has its own way, follow the way, even if it is inaction, you can do something, it seems to be doing something, but it is inaction. If you can follow the way, you can do everything!" "This is too esoteric..." "If you talk about governing the people by doing nothing, it seems profound, but the truth is similar to governing the waters by doing nothing. The general is the lord of Xichuan, and he should be the weir at the end of the dawn. This weir was built by Li Bing, the lord of Shu in the Qin Dynasty, and it will last for thousands of years. Immortal. This weir is not built by people to block water, but it adopts the method of dredging, which is natural, and it seems to be ruled by doing nothing, but it can be done everything-this way is natural!" "The way to control water is the nature of heaven and earth, so what is the way to govern the country?" "Good question! The way to govern the country is the people's livelihood! If the people are the foundation, then the way to govern the country is natural. If the general wants to win Xichuan, he must first win the hearts of the people - so that the people can have less to support and grow old. Recreation is the law of governing the people. The law of governing the people is not in punishment, but in virtue." "What the Immortal Elder said is so similar to what the late emperor said. The late emperor once said that to govern the country with Confucianism, one should embrace the world with virtue. What Confucius said, "Government with virtue, such as Beichen..." seems to be the same reason." "Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism seem to be different, but they have something in common. Confucianism and Taoism used to compete for the principles of governing the country, but in fact the methods of governing the people are the same."