Chapter 55 Chapter Fifty-Five

Chengdu in May is already a bit hot, and the weeping willows lined up along the Jinjiang River look like soldiers in military uniform waiting for inspection.It rained at night, and the rain nourished the city. The exquisitely designed drainage system that criss-crossed the rice fields smoothly sent excess rainwater into the arms of the two rivers.Holding on to the beautifully carved stone railings on the Ruo Bridge, you can overlook the busy Jinguan City not far away.The river under his feet has been flowing for thousands of years and will never freeze. At this moment, Wang Jian can't let go of his affection for this foreign city.A few days later, Dajun was about to go to Zizhou to fulfill his long-cherished wish of unifying the two Sichuans.

Behind Wang Jian, stood a military general, silently guarding the side.He used to be the well-known general Hua Hong on the Xichuan battlefield, but now, he is Wang Jian's adopted son——Wang Zongdi.After thinking about it, Wang Jian couldn't think of a more suitable candidate than Hua Hong.Not long ago in the battle of Chulinzhai, Hua Hong, as a general of the first army, went straight to Huanglong with a strong and sharp head.Regardless of the siege of the city or the aspirations of the army, it is impossible to find an opponent that can match it. "Zong Di, what are your chances of winning Zizhou?"

"As long as the food and grass are in place, everything will be guaranteed!" "Okay! That's what I want. For this expedition, you can dispatch all the generals in Chengdu at will. However, besides getting rid of Gu Yanhui, you still have a big thing to do when you go to Dongchuan." "Is there another big event?" Hua Hong didn't understand what other big event was more important than the pacification of Dongchuan. "Come on, I'll tell you slowly." Wang Jian led Hua Hong to the city gate north of Ruoqiao, "Zong Di, do you know that there are some rumors about Li Yuhou in the army?"

Hua Hong was shocked!He knew that Wang Jian was talking about Li Jian!When attacking Langzhou that year, Li Jian did not arrive on the battlefield as scheduled, and many soldiers rumored that Li Jian fled the battle and had an affair with a woman in a village near Langzhou.However, due to Li Jian's high position and weight and Wang Jian's respect, everyone can only discuss it in private.Especially after Zhang Zao's death in battle, Zhang Jie once clamored for Wang Jian to punish Li Jian, but Wang Jian tried his best to promote him.After that, none of the generals in the army dared to discuss it again.At this time, Wang Jian took the initiative to mention Li Jian's matter, which made Hua Hong confused.

"Actually, these rumors are not groundless. Zong Yao told me about this matter a long time ago. There is a reason for the incident, not to mention that the woman had his flesh and blood at that time..." Hua Hong secretly thought that the lord already knew the whole story. "I have always pretended not to know, but I didn't want to give the officers and soldiers an excuse. Everyone knows that I run the army strictly. He violated the military law by accepting his wife before the battle and delaying the battle! You may also know that he saved me back then, and I owe him A favor; and Yang Jianjun belongs to me as one of the Eight Capitals, and I owe him one more time. After all, I am an ordinary person, and I owe too much to others, and I always feel that the pressure on my shoulders is too great! If that woman really has his flesh and blood, The child has grown up now. This time you captured Dongchuan, you must go to Langzhou to carefully search for her mother and child, so that I can give him an explanation."

Hua Hong suddenly realized.For the first time, he felt such tenderness from the provocative master. "My lord, don't worry, Dongchuan will definitely take it, and I will definitely find her mother and son! I will give you and Li Yuhou an explanation!" The two said, and they had already entered the gate of Ruoqiao. Suddenly, Li Zhazha rushed over on horseback, and flew towards Wang Jian like flying: "My lord, Li Xun, the imperial envoy sent by the emperor, has arrived! He is already waiting outside the government office of the Jiedu Mansion." Wang Jian frowned: Li Xun?What does this person do.But thinking about it, since he was an imperial envoy, he couldn't neglect it, so he ordered to line up to meet him.

Outside the Yamen of the Jiedu Mansion, neat and majestic teams lined up on both sides.Wang Jian personally let Li Xun and his party to the lobby.Then, Chengdu officials knelt down in rows to welcome the imperial decree.Li Xun held the scroll of Huang Lingzi in his hand, and recited Wang Jian's most troublesome imperial decree of Hu Zheye. He didn't get to the bottom of what he said before, but later he understood a few sentences: "...the demotion of Xichuan Jiedu envoy Wang Jian as a Inspector of Nanzhou, strike immediately..." This sentence was read clearly, and everyone present could understand it.The well-disciplined hall just now exploded.Zhang Jie rushed in front of the imperial envoy in a rage, and grabbed Li Xun by the collar: "Grandma, I have been looking forward to the war for many years, and this little emperor is so unreasonable, why at this time I want my eldest brother to stop the army! Go back and tell Li Xun Yes, you have annoyed me, so take your big knife and chop it into Chang'an's palace!"

Li Xun was so frightened that he shivered, and muttered, "The emperor... the emperor is not in Chang'an anymore..." Wang Jian hurriedly reprimanded Zhang Jie and pulled Zhang Jie aside, then patted the dust on Li Xun's body with a big smile on his face: "I'm not strict with the army, which frightened the imperial envoy... What did you say just now... The emperor is not in Chang'an Already?" Li Xun regained his composure from his panic, and then told the story of the emperor's lucky visit to Huazhou.On the one hand, Wang Jian was worried about the emperor's safety, but on the other hand, he also knew that this time, he wanted to send troops to Dongchuan even if he disobeyed the imperial decree and risked the world's displeasure.So he pretended to invite Li Xun to go to the school military field to review the army.When he came to the school grounds, Wang Jian pointed to the black army and said: "Dongchuan is rebellious, and there is no emperor. I want Dongchuan to obey the will of heaven and the people's hearts. I don't care if the emperor wants to get rid of my military envoys, but if you want I'm going to strike, come and ask the soldiers here if they agree?" Wang Jian purposely raised his voice for the last sentence, as if he was speaking to Li Xun, and even more so to the soldiers of the three armies.Immediately, a general took the lead, and after a while, the shouts of "Don't flatten Dongchuan, never withdraw troops" resounded through the sky like overwhelming mountains and seas.

Li Xun had never seen such a formation before, his face turned pale with fright.Wang Jian knew that Li Xun was doomed to return in vain this time, so he ordered him to arrange a banquet for Li Xun and others.At this time, Wang Jian suddenly saw a very familiar official accompanying Li Xun—could it be him?Wang Jian was puzzled. Wei Zhuang saw Wang Jian staring at him from a distance, and stepped forward to salute: "Does the general still remember Wei Zhuang?" "Remember, remember! Why don't you remember! It's been fifteen years!" "That's right! It's been fifteen years, and I'm getting old, but the general is still so energetic!"

Wang Jian never expected to see Wei Zhuang here.Back then, the words Wei Zhuang said to him still linger in his ears.At that time, his simple intuition told him that the scholar who failed must have a beautiful heart and a talent for governing the country.He wanted to keep Wei Zhuang, but he didn't.Later, he learned from Zheng Xu that Wei Zhuang wrote "Qin Fu Yin" which is famous all over the world.Every time Wang Jian thought of this, he couldn't sleep at night and wanted to see him day and night.I never thought that fifteen years later, this wish really came true. Just as Wei Zhuang expected, before he and Li Xun left Chengdu, the Xichuan army marched towards Zizhou under the leadership of Hua Hong.Wang Jian once again tried his best to persuade Wei Zhuang to stay - this time, Wei Zhuang was tempted.The experience of Luoyang Shenzui and Jiangdong drifting in these years made him realize that the sunset of the Tang Dynasty is irreversible, so even if he wins the exam, it will not bring him more joy.The emperor was displaced, and the feudal towns were separated and merged—under such an environment, as a close minister of the emperor, he was helpless and powerless!He had heard that Western Shu was full of flowers, but when he came to Chengdu, he realized that the prosperity of the Land of Abundance under Wang Jian's rule far exceeded his estimation.The stable and peaceful street scene, the profound culture, the beauties walking through the streets... These are the paradises he once dreamed of, and he began to regret not being able to come to this city that has been nourished by water and poetry for thousands of years.For more than a thousand years, the vicissitudes of life and the blood of the Minjiang River have nourished this city that has never changed its name.The sage of poetry he admired most in his life wrote the poems handed down in this hut.He could even imagine that the poet sage was on the banks of the Huanhua River back then, brewing the faint tea fragrance of Qingcheng with the boiling water, and writing epic chapters and sentences on Xue Tao's paper washed by the flowing elves.

In addition, what moved Wei Zhuang even more was the host of Chengdu's acceptance of talents and tolerance of various cultures.Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism coexist harmoniously and flourish in this city.Feng Juan, who is eccentric, Zhou Xiang, who is resourceful, and Zheng Xu, who is brilliant in writing, all belong to their respective roles.The Dashengci Temple in the city keeps burning incense and Buddhism prevails; the Qingyang Palace in the west of the city is also a place where scientific rituals are constantly flourishing and Taoism is handed down from generation to generation.This kind of place is what he really yearns for, and this is where he can really do something! Yes, Wei Zhuang was really tempted.He looks forward to returning to his hometown in Chang'an as soon as possible, taking Ruyin to Chengdu, and spending the rest of his life in this city where the poet saint lives. Wang Jian sent Wei Zhuang to Tianhui Town in the north of the city, watched the imperial envoy go away, but stood in front of the huge stone tablet with "Tianhui Town" written on it for a long time, unwilling to leave. At some point, Mrs. Zhou also came here with her.Since entering Chengdu, she seldom goes out, let alone wandering around Chengdu. "Are you in a good mood today? Why did you come here with me?" Wang Jian asked as he sat down beside the stele. Mrs. Zhou also sat down with her: "It's very boring at home, I want to come out to get some air." "You should have gone out for a walk. The market in Chengdu is very lively, and there are many places of interest near Chengdu. Dashengci Temple, Qingyang Palace, Wuhou Temple, Wenweng Shishi are all good places..." "When you say that, I remember that time you accompanied me to offer incense at Zhaojue Temple..." Happy memories appeared on Zhou's face. Although she was no longer young, the dignified and calm expression made her feel When people see it, they feel a little love and pity. Wang Jian suddenly held his wife's hand: "I know, you have suffered a lot of grievances these years... When this battle is won, I will accompany you to Qingcheng Mountain and Weiweiyan. It is said that the scenery there is very beautiful." "No need, I'm satisfied if you have this kind of thought. You have greater ambitions. Recovering Liangchuan is actually just the first step, right?" "You still understand me. However, if this fight continues, I feel more and more uneasy." "Because of what?" "Because of the Son of Heaven!" Although there were only a few short words, the clever Zhou immediately understood that with the decline of the Tang Dynasty, the deep affection between him and the late Emperor Xizong and the current war that required him to continue encroaching on the land fiercely clashed. "You are not invading the land of Datang, you are just allowing the people of Datang to truly stay away from war and live a stable life." "Maybe what you said is right, but no one knows what will happen in the future. It is also unknown how others will comment on me hundreds of years later." "Since that's the case, then simply don't think about it... let's talk about something happy." The woman smiled and rested her head on her husband's shoulder. "Oh? What are you happy about?" "I heard that you went to Governor Xu's residence and met his two beautiful daughters." "Oh... I thought why would I be happy." "Can you marry two girls who look like celestial beings, isn't that a happy thing?" "Don't be joking, I don't think so." "But I do!" Madam said earnestly, "Beauties have been matched with heroes since ancient times. Governor Xu's two daughters were born in the Land of Abundance. If they don't marry you, who else can match them?" "Are you telling the truth?" The woman smiled: "When did I ever get jealous with your concubine Ji? Think about it, when I took Fan Er, I ate the last meal and never finished. If Dequan hadn't followed you, our mother and I would have starved to death." But you not only married me, but also let me be the main wife. What do you think I am not satisfied with? I just think you should have a better girl to match. I have been thinking about this, but this time There is no place to look for iron shoes, Xu Cishi and these two daughters are my ideal candidates, I think you will not be tempted to see them." "Yes, to be honest, I have never seen such beautiful women in my half-life as a soldier. Even today's favorite concubine is far less than half of them. What's more, they are not only beautiful, but also have great talents. Although I don't know how to paint, Zhang Gong said that he is far inferior to these two girls." "In this case, this matter is on my shoulders. I will choose a date to propose marriage to Governor Xu." A smile appeared on Wang Jian's face: "Okay, I'll listen to you!" As he spoke, he stretched out his arms to embrace the woman, and the two of them leaned against the stone tablet in Tianhui Town, their figures frozen in the afterglow of the setting sun for a long time... At this time, in Huazhou, Li Ye was still living in exile.The sky was getting colder, and Li Ye's life was getting worse day by day.Previously, even though he was under the control of Han Jian, there were nearly ten princes around him who held tens of thousands of forbidden troops.Although these imperial guards could not withstand the wind and waves, as long as they existed, Li Ye felt more or less at ease.But not long after, Han Jian asked the kings to take back their military power on the grounds that the kings planned to frame the emperor.Li Ye, who had no freedom under the fence, had no choice but to agree to Han Jian's lustful power. "Your Majesty, why do you have the time to walk around today?" Seeing that it was Han Jian, Li Ye immediately felt sick.Now, the majestic emperor of a country has no freedom, and the people closest to him have been relieved of military power, and even Han Jian has to follow him when he comes out for a walk.He really wanted a few attendants around him to rush up and kill this traitor.But what's the use of killing Han Jian? Seeing that the emperor ignored him, Han Jian said again: "Your Majesty, now the kings have settled down and no longer command troops..." "Hmph! Isn't this exactly what you want to see?" "Hehe, what are you talking about, Your Majesty? I'm just thinking about Your Majesty...Your Majesty also has the Forbidden Army of Ansheng, Pengchen, Baoning, and Xuanhua. This will make people in the world think that the Emperor has a preference for them. The former Emperor When I was in Chengdu, it was precisely because I regarded the army as close and distant that it caused a disaster..." "You don't need to tell me the history, just tell me what you have to say..." "Yes, Your Majesty knows the past and the present... What I mean is that if these troops rebel by His Majesty's side one day...I think about His Majesty's safety..." Li Ye glared at Han Jian angrily: "According to your opinion, I should disband the imperial army?" "This is what His Majesty should do." "What if I don't agree?" "This... I'm afraid that the clash between the Zhen Guojun and His Majesty's Forbidden Army will accidentally injure His Majesty..."