Chapter 64 Chapter 64

There was no trace of blood on Li Ye's pale face. He mechanically stretched out his hand to take the tribute list Cui Yin handed over and looked at it. It was about 100,000 high-quality Shu tea and Shu brocade.Even in the peaceful years, this is not a small tribute, let alone now? "Wang Guangtu is a loyal minister!" As soon as the words came out, Li Ye felt a little ironic.If it was in the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, a person like Wang Jian who dominates one side and conquers the city will be conquered by the heavenly soldiers of the imperial court.But now, he is indeed a loyal minister.Let me ask, how many people in the world can remember that he is the Son of Heaven? "Aiqing, after discussing with King Liang, I intend to add another title to Wang Guangtu."

"Your Majesty, I still have this book." "Tell me..." "Your Majesty, please issue an order to kill all the eunuchs!" As soon as the words fell, Li Ye was startled.Even though he hated the eunuch's monopoly, he had spent a lot of time trying to seize power with the eunuch during the years of his ascension to the throne, but he never thought of driving the eunuch to extinction.For the feudal town, he has nothing to do; but for the eunuch, he has the capital of pride.One of the things he is most proud of since his reign is nothing more than the overthrow of Yang Fugong who was in power.In addition, after Liu Jishu was executed, eunuch dictatorship was no longer the main problem he faced.But at this time, Cui Yin proposed to kill all the eunuchs, no matter how ignorant he was, he could see his ambition to monopolize power.Li Ye had no words, and Cui Yin continued to state his opinions: "Your Majesty, at the beginning of the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the world was peaceful, and the eunuchs did not preside over the government. Since Tianbao, the power of the eunuchs has gradually expanded. The Habayashi guards were divided into left and right Shence armies in order to dispatch guards, and then the eunuch was ordered to preside over it, but it was limited to two thousand orders. However, since then, the eunuchs have participated in secrets, seized the power of the hundred divisions, colluded with each other, and violated discipline. Then they incite the feudal clans and towns, endangering the country; if they are small, they sell officials to prison, corrupt the law. The decline and chaos of the royal family is all because of this. If we don’t cut the weeds and eradicate the roots, the disaster will never stop..."

"Okay, that's enough, I get it... Is this your idea?" "Your Majesty, this is also the minister's idea!" Before Li Ye finished his sentence, Zhu Wen swung his arms and strode into the study. Li Ye shivered instinctively.It turned out that Zhu Wen was the real backer behind Cui Yin.Now that this is the case, I am afraid that it will be impossible not to agree. "There are no eunuchs in the palace anymore. There are hundreds of eunuchs in the harem. Let them go back to their hometowns. Why kill them all?" Speaking of this, he glanced at Deshun who was trembling at the side, "Like Deshun, serving my second son For more than ten years, they have been loyal and loyal, and have never exercised power. For my sake, I will leave them a way out..."

"Your Majesty!" Zhu Wen interrupted Li Ye coldly, "The supervising army of the feudal town has its own envoys to follow the imperial edict. None of the palace servants around Your Majesty can be left behind!" "You!" Li Ye was so angry that his lips trembled, but how could he have the right to speak now? "Your Majesty, the imperial edict has been drawn up. If Your Majesty does not object, it will be announced to the world." Cui Yin's soft words revealed aggression. Li Ye is still silent, or it can be said that this kind of silence is only powerlessly delaying time.

"Your Majesty, my subjects don't want His Majesty to be in trouble..." Deshun choked up and said, "Your Majesty, take care of yourself, you are loyal..." After finishing speaking, he suddenly turned around and bumped his head against the thick pillar, Blood slowly flowed down the pillar... Spring goes and spring comes, flowers wither and bloom. The year is coming to an end, whether it is a farmer who has been busy for a year or a soldier who has been fighting for a long time, they all look forward to returning to their homes on such a day that should be warm and enjoying the warmth of the world.

This year's winter was surprisingly cold.In the early morning, patches of snowflakes drift leisurely over the city of Chengdu.The snow in Chengdu is rare and stretches, and it will only happen once every three to five years.Before the faint white elf touched the ground, it was melted by the heat rising from the ground.The Jinjiang River in the south of the city flows slowly.Countless snow particles happily plunge into this never-ending water flow, and like all water, they merge into one, rushing to the Yangtze River and the sea.There, they will ascend to the sky again, and perhaps, return to the place where they were born - the snowy plateau.

Officials always like to hang red lanterns high up to bid farewell to the old and usher in the new; while poor people are also willing to cut red-dyed paper into various shapes and paste them on the door to create a festive atmosphere. He Yiyang is much older.Occasionally, I remembered that Zong Yao came to invite him out of the mountain. It was about fifteen years ago.Fifteen years, sometimes it can witness the rise and fall of a dynasty, and sometimes it is just a snap of the fingers.The old housekeeper, He Gui, passed away a few years ago. Without his old partner for many years, He Yiyang felt a little lonely. "Thousands of sails pass by the side of the sinking boat, Wan Muchun in front of the sick tree." When seeing the little grandson who got out of the war has grown into a handsome boy, the old man had to sigh: In a few years, he will be born to his grandchildren The world is over.

It was snowing white and white outside, and the old man insisted on standing in the yard despite the maid's dissuasion.What he is proud of now is that at his age, he is neither blind nor deaf, and his waist is quite strong.People like to be nostalgic as soon as they get old, especially in the past few years after He Gui left, he always recalled the situation of helping Gao Pian Shura City in the early years.During the reign of Qianfu, when Nanzhao was defeated, Xichuan Jiedu envoy Gao Pian made the first contribution. In terms of meritorious deeds, He Yiyang was at least the governor of a big state.But when he heard that Gao Pian decided to expand the city wall of Chengdu, he showed great interest.Therefore, he devoted his heart and soul to the construction of this ancient city by rebuilding the river course and building Luocheng.Later, because he couldn't get used to Gao Pian's domineering and bullying, he legendaryly retired and returned to his hometown in Mianzhu, where he lived in seclusion ever since.Many years later, when He Yiyang's name was mentioned in Xichuan, people were more likely to think of his outstanding military exploits in pacifying Nanzhao and his arrogance in retreating from the rivers and lakes, but few people knew the cordial relationship between him and Chengdu City.

Another thing that satisfied him in this life was that he made a comeback and took refuge in King Langya.Not only that, but he also accepted Wang Zongyao, a son-in-law who is both civil and military.Sometimes, he cares for Zong Yao and Lin Lan even more than his own son Lin Ze.When Sanchuan was still undecided and many sons of King Langya were fighting openly and secretly, he offered to live in Zong Yao's mansion, and insisted that Zong Yao claim that he would not be sick, so as to hide his strength and bide his time.Instead, let his son Lin Ze accompany Wang Zongkan to conquer Shannan.His daughter Lin Lan blamed him more than once for not caring about his son. He just said that Lin Ze was timid by nature and needed to go to the front line where life and death were at stake.When the old man looked at the morning star at night, he silently prayed for his beloved son... While he was recalling, he suddenly heard his little grandson talking to someone outside the yard.He instinctively shouted towards the outside of the courtyard: "Chengming, but your uncle is back from the front?"

The little grandson Wang Chengming ran into the backyard: "Grandpa, there is an uncle who wants to see you." "Oh? Did he say who he is?" He Yiyang's small courtyard has not been visited for several years. "He said his name was Xu Geng." He Yiyang scratched his ears, wanting his little grandson to say it again, when he saw Xu Geng happily standing in front of him holding a bottle of wine.Without waiting for He Yiyang to speak, Xu Geng asked in an anticlimactic manner: "I come from the bamboo forest in the snow, don't you welcome the old man?"

"Hey, hey, you are the father-in-law of King Langya, and you are the prince's relative! How can I, a bad old man, afford you to come to the door in person?" "What are you talking about, old man? You are still the father-in-law of Prince Langya. In terms of seniority, I am older than you, but in terms of seniority and reputation, I am a junior!" "How dare you! My little grandson is ignorant, so I should call you grandpa!" As they spoke, both of them laughed. "The child doesn't know me. Calling me uncle makes me feel comfortable. It seems that I haven't reached the point of being old." "See what you're saying, if you're old, I shouldn't be in the coffin, haha..." "The old man was joking, look, I have already passed the age of knowing my destiny," he said, pointing to his temples, "the hair here is all white." He Yiyang looked at Xu Geng for a while: "You are so heroic as before! The most beautiful man in Xichuan is not for nothing..." Xu Geng shook his head: "The old man made fun of me. I have been in poor health all these years, and I have been hiding in the bamboo forest to recuperate. Is it my fault that I haven't been able to visit you often? Today is the new year, and I specially brought a pot of old wine Hall of Loyal Ministers, have a drink with the old man!" "Okay!" He Yiyang hadn't been this happy for a long time, and immediately called Zong Yao and his wife to accompany Xu Geng. Zong Yao poured a full glass of wine for Xu Geng, but her mind was not on the banquet.He asked cautiously: "Grand Xu, I have heard rumors from people in the market that the king is about to take over the army. Do you know the situation on the front line?" Xu Geng nodded: "Gouzi sent me a letter yesterday, the king has already won the battle, and he will return to Chengdu in a few days. But... Although the battle was won, it was a heavy price, many generals were killed... ..." Xu Geng's words made the atmosphere on the table tense. Lin Lan was the first to lose her composure: "Do you know my brother..." "Oh, you don't need to worry about your Madam. The dog's letter specifically mentioned that your brother He Linze followed Wang Zongkan into the death squad, and made great achievements by breaking the enemy's four formations... Luo Manzi and Li Jane and Zhang Jie were both martyred, and even the king's 800 soldiers were wiped out. Fortunately, brother Ling was only slightly injured, and the king asked him to take a temporary post in Xingyuan, and let him recuperate..." Then, with the help of Jiu Jin, Xu Geng narrated the frontline battles described in his son Xu Yanqiong's letter one by one. He Yiyang sipped the wine in his glass while listening to Xu Geng's eloquence.He was so calm and old-fashioned, as if Xu Geng was talking about someone else instead of his only son now.After Xu Geng finished speaking, He Yiyang smacked his lips and sighed, "Lin Ze didn't embarrass me this time! Alas! It's just that these old generals lost their lives on the battlefield!" Several people drank for a while, Xu Geng said he was too drunk, so he said goodbye early and left.Only He Yiyang and Zong Yao were left to taste the news from the front. "Zong Yao, what are you thinking?" "Oh, father-in-law, I was thinking... I was supposed to go out with my father, but I was sick at home... Now, my two uncles died in the country, and my brothers all escaped death. I, I am living here..." "Zong Yao, if I'm not wrong, you will soon see that many heroes will be eliminated by the king one by one." He Yiyang ignored Zong Yao's astonished expression and continued to sigh, "The three rivers have been leveled, enough to dominate one side Most of those who achieve great things are able to share adversity, but it is difficult to share happiness. I am not not contributing to the country and not being loyal to the king, otherwise, I would not send my son to the front. But after all, you Wang Zongyao will be able to achieve great things in the future I can't bear to see you being excluded for other reasons, even life and death..." "Father-in-law, I can understand your painstaking efforts. Then, now that the three rivers are flat, should I come out to serve the king?" He Yiyang pondered for a moment, and suddenly said: "Old General Li died for his country, and Qiongzhou lacks a governor. When the king returns triumphantly, you can ask yourself to guard Qiongzhou!" "Father-in-law, why?" Zong Yao suspected that she had heard wrong.His father-in-law actually asked him to demote himself to work in remote Qiongzhou. He Yiyang stood up and looked at the north where Wang Jian was about to return: "It's time for King Langya to have a son. But right now, you guys have made all kinds of unrewardable feats for conquering Sanchuan. It is difficult to establish your own son as the eldest son. In my opinion, you should simply stay away from the government and be clean. King Langya will be more at ease with you. Besides, there are all kinds of barbarians in Qiongzhou, and there are no generals guarding the border. It is absolutely impossible. You It is reasonable to ask for orders here!" "In this case, I will immediately report to my father that we will move our family to Qiongzhou." He Yiyang waved his hand: "I'm old, I don't want to move, I just live here..." Lin Lan was surprised and said, "Father, why don't you go with us? Since you know Chengdu is dangerous, why do you insist on staying here?" He Yiyang looked at his daughter contemptuously, and said with a smile: "You are not a three-year-old girl anymore, why are you so ignorant? I am a bad old man, and I am no threat to anyone. There are only advantages and no disadvantages for King Langya raising me! Besides Yes, I like Chengdu, but I don't want to go to that poor country with you to suffer, hehe...you don't have to miss me, when Lin Ze comes back, I will move to his house, and he will take care of me for the elderly." After talking and laughing, He Yiyang Seriously looking at his son-in-law: "Hide your strengths and bide your time, in order to turn the tide at the critical moment. You are the trusted and capable minister of King Langya, and when the critical time comes, you will know the meaning of my letting you suffer..." The army of Xichuan, who went to the Northern Expedition, returned to Chengdu in mighty force.The people of Chengdu stretching ten miles outside Qili Pavilion in the north of the city cheered and celebrated.In this city, the mood that has been suppressed for several months has been released at this moment.The children in every household are looking forward to a lively reason. They are playing and playing, and they will never worry about the disputes in the world.At this time, more yellow-haired old men and young newlyweds flocked to the streets anxiously, eager to find their longing relatives in the neatly marching team. Wang Jian, who was riding on a tall horse, saw all this clearly.Although fierce cheers poured into his ears from time to time, those anxious and worried eyes were so familiar to him.This is so similar to the look in the eyes of Mrs. Zhou seeing him every time he comes back from an expedition.If there is war, many people will die.Perhaps, these departing creatures are just at the moment of the end of their lives, either in fear, or regret, or heroism, or no regrets... But soon, they can abandon all the troubles and unhappiness in the world, and go to the world. Another unknown world, starting a new journey of their souls.However, what is more cruel than death is to worry about the inner pain of these living people when they face parting.They are relatives or comrades-in-arms... Wang Jian has deeply experienced this feeling more than once.These days, he often dreams.Just like what Zhang Jie said to him before he left, he also began to often dream about the years when he sold salt and slaughtered cattle with Li Shitai, Zhang Jie, and Tian Wei in the early years, but cared about eating and not caring about world affairs; the dream The life-and-death bloody battle where the prison car was hijacked outside Wuyang City; I dreamed about the stories of several fights with Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao rebels in Yizhou City and Dengzhou City; Raised troops in Lizhou to subdue the generals; dreamed of the three fierce battles in Xichuan, Dongchuan, and Shannan... Actually, these are not dreams.As he recalled his half-life military experience, he also recalled those brothers who shared life and death, weal and woe with him.During the expedition to Xichuan, Zhang Zao, one of the five capitals, was killed on the battlefield, and he was very sad for a while.However, that kind of sadness is more because of being moved and moved by the character of this general who is good at arrows and has great ambitions.Then they attacked Dongchuan, and Tian Wei also left.Fortunately, when he knew, it had been a long time, and he would feel better in his heart if he didn't see his friends leave.But this time, Zhang Jie left before his eyes... He and Zhang Jie have known each other for more than forty years.For forty years, no matter whether it is sharing sorrow or joy or life and death together, Zhang Jie has always been on the saddle, saying "big brother" and never changing his words.Is it God's will?Zhang Jie and Li Shitai unexpectedly met and left... The gang of salt sellers almost all left, and he was left alone... Wang Jian's thoughts were up and down, and behind him was Zhang Jie's coffin lifted by dozens of people.Along the way, he just stayed with Zhang Jie all the way to the outside of Chengdu. Perhaps, this battle should not be fought at all.Although capturing Shannan was a necessary step for him to achieve success in the future, Wang Jian really felt lonely now.It was only a thousand miles from Xingyuan to Chengdu, but after a few nights, he suddenly looked old, the wrinkles around his eyes appeared out of nowhere, and his temples suddenly turned gray... "Brother-in-law, you don't look very well, are you sick?" Zhou Dequan saw that Wang Jian was preoccupied all the way, and asked worriedly. "It's okay, I want to go back and take care of Shi Tai and Zhang Jie's funeral. You can handle this matter." Zhou Dequan nodded and agreed: "There is one more thing, it's the note from the deputy envoy Mr. Zhang, for you to have a look." "Say what?" "Wang Zongyao reported that he would go and guard Qiongzhou." Wang Jian was taken aback, and muttered: "He has been recuperating for more than a year, but he is cured at this time." But after Li Jian's death, Qiongzhou really needs a smart and capable person to guard. I really couldn't find a more suitable candidate than Wang Zongyao.He thought that Zong Yao would not be able to use him even if he claimed to be sick for a long time. If he was allowed to be the governor of Qiongzhou, he would be more at ease. When Zhou Dequan brought up this matter, he suddenly felt that after the battle was over, officials from all over the country needed to be replaced.The older ones should be withdrawn to Chengdu to provide for the elderly; the younger generation who have made military achievements should also be promoted to other states to practice.So, he said to Dequan: "Let the army rest in place for half an hour, and let Boya go to the Daxuan Tower to meet me." At this moment, the first person he thought of who needed to be promoted was Zhou Xiang—the seventeenth-year-old who followed him. Zai, the hero who made plans for hundreds of battles for himself-his best friend, counselor.