Chapter 13 Section five

After Ma Kuo returned to the army, he summarized some of his recent thoughts into two simple and specific opinions (needless to say, Zhao Jie has become a staff member he can't leave day and night), and made a statement to the Xuanfu envoy.First, he requested that special personnel be assigned to receive the Han children returning from the south, properly arrange their food and accommodation, identify the strong and the weak, and assign certain tasks to them. Heart.Second, he firmly advocated sending people to the enemy's rear to organize armed forces and contact the rebels in the mountains, so as to "correspond with the drums and attack internally and externally" with the army, and achieve the effect of annihilating the enemy.By the way, he also talked about the gains of his trip, and then recommended himself to take up the next task.

According to this subsection, if it is to be passed on to Tong Guan through the Xuanfu Department according to the official procedures, he will probably not even look at it, just stuff it in the cabinet and forget the matter.This kind of temporary wooden cabinet made of nails is specially used to accommodate this kind of specially prepared strips.Since the rise of the army, there have been a lot of articles and reports. The purpose of the people who posted articles is not to hope that Tong Guanzhen can adopt his opinions, but to make Tong Guan notice his name and appreciate him as a useful talent. As a stepping stone for him to enter the official career.Ma Kuo was well aware of Si Li's general approach to dealing with Tiao Chen, and he didn't want his Tiao Chen to fall into that fate, so he used extraordinary means to deliver Tiao Chen directly to Tong Guan.

Xuanfu envoy Tong Guan personally sent people to look for Ma Xuanzan everywhere, but after searching for two days, he failed to find anything. Unexpectedly, Ma Kuo came to the door by himself. "Ma Xuanzan came at the right time, and it was hard for me to find you!" Tong Guan, who knew what kind of face he needed to put on on any occasion, said with a smile on his face, "What is Xuanzan holding in his hand? I think it is where he has been hiding in the past two days Let me write the carefully written statement here, and wait for this envoy to see it." "Ma has nothing to show, sneaked into the enemy's rear without authorization, spied on the enemy and came back, wrote this sub-report, please read it."

"Praise the public and forget the private, and go deep into the enemy's line. Loyalty and bravery are commendable. Since this subsection is carefully written, it must be impressive." Tong Guan was in no hurry to make his demands, a tactic he often uses in striking a tricky deal.If you want to take it, you must first give it.He read the statement with a seemingly serious attitude, and listened to Ma Kuo's supplementary comments in his oral statement, with a kind of childishness that not only accepted your suggestion with kindness, but also treated you Ma Xuanzan differently. When others are besieging you, especially protect you, tolerate you, trust your expression, and encourage him to continue talking about his ideas.

But when Ma Kuo talked about the core of the problem and said, "If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch the tiger's cubs? Ma advocated...", Tong Guan seized this sentence that he could use, cut off Ma Kuo's suggestion, and put Put forward your own requirements. "If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch tiger cubs? It can be said that you have high ambitions!" Tong Guan praised Ma Kuo with a very appreciative attitude, and then said, "The idea of ​​proclaiming and praising going deep into the enemy's territory coincides with what my envoy thought. Hey. This envoy is about to send someone to Yanjing to work on an important business, but the matter is important and the task is a bit dangerous. If he is not both wise and courageous, how can he dare to shoulder this important task? After much deliberation, this envoy cannot This person, it seems that Xuan Zan must go and work hard."

"If Xuan Fu has any commissions, please speak up." Tong Guan took the opportunity to propose the task of asking Ma Kuo to surrender to the Liao court, and briefly introduced the situation. Although they also went to the Liao territory for activities, the missions sent by Tong Guan and Ma Kuo's own ideas were two completely different tasks.As a great bureaucrat, Tong Guan only saw the important role of persuading the Liao court's monarchs and ministers. As long as the monarchs and ministers surrender, great things will happen, just like the way of a general who only sees the important role of instigating the army. Great things happen.Their focus is on the top.Ma Kuo, who came from the grassroots of society and originally had close ties with the masses of people ideologically and emotionally, has begun to see the importance of organizing the people's armed forces after this trip north, and has turned his attention to the grassroots.At this moment, he came to talk with Tong Guan with this lively and fresh impression.Their footholds are different, their perspectives are different, and their views are not coincident, but quite different.Ma Kuo first erased Tong Guan's flattery in his heart.

Then he considers practical issues. Tong Guan is the Xuan Fu envoy and the commander in chief, and his orders are extremely binding on the subordinates.Although Ma Kuo often did work that was not assigned to him by his superiors, he had no right to refuse the tasks assigned to him by his superiors within the proper scope of authority.Furthermore, this task itself was indeed very important, and Ma Kuo thought that there was no suitable person among his colleagues who could complete it.In addition, Tong Guan repeatedly emphasized the danger of this trip, which subtly stimulated his sense of adventure, which also increased his determination.After pondering for a moment, he resolutely replied:

"Since there is a decree in order to benefit the country, how dare Ma take care of his tiny body, and make excuses and make excuses? The secretary has completed the official documents, and Ma will leave immediately. But I still have a few humble opinions , dare to speak out, please adopt and implement it!" "Xuan Zan has any request, just ask." When Tong Guan saw Ma Kuo pondering, he was afraid that he would hesitate and would not accept the task. Unexpectedly, he readily agreed as soon as he opened his mouth. He was very happy. Now listening to Ma Kuo He said that he still had a few foolish opinions, and thought to himself: "This kid is also clever. While accepting the task, he laid out the conditions at the same time."

However, the business must be fair and reasonable, both parties agree, and benefit each other, in order to close the deal. This is the only truth that Tong Guan, who doesn't believe in anything, believes in.Not only was he ready to fully satisfy him, but he also preemptively said in a particularly flattering way: "Xuan Zan has something to ask, and I will do everything within my power. For the treasured family in Baozhou, Si Lili should send someone to take care of it. You don't have to worry about it." "That's not what Ma asked for, and my mother is not in Baozhou, Xuanfu doesn't have to worry about it." Ma Kuo said with a smile, "Ma will choose a few 'guizheng people' who are familiar with the North Dao as companions on this trip."

"Yes, yes. Anyone who Xuanzan wants to accompany him can do so. The Secretary will never ask, and he can use his official title to reward him after he returns from meritorious service." "After Mr. Ma leaves, I ask Xuan Fu to consider and implement the statement just now." "Okay, okay. The first paragraph of the article of praise, the Secretary has already issued repeated orders, asking the frontline soldiers to welcome the reformed people well, and send people down tomorrow to take care of their own affairs. It is important to ensure that food and clothing are safe and talents are adequate." Xuan Zan can rest assured about the appointment. As for the second item, sending people to sneak behind the enemy lines, this proposal also wins my heart. I am afraid that suitable candidates are rare, so how about making a decision after discussing with Staff Liu?"

"This is a matter of great importance. Ma has made a clear statement in the statement, and the meaning is endless. Please make a decisive decision and persevere. As for the candidates to be sent, Ma would like to recommend someone. must be able to do it.” "Which one would Xuan Zandai recommend?" "Liu's eldest son, Ziyu, is daring and courageous. He went as he wished, and won the election for a while." When Ma Kuo was active in the enemy's rear, he thought of asking Liu Ziyu to be his assistant in the future, and now he recommends it. he. "I didn't expect Zhongyan to have such a good son! The envoy was afraid that Yanxiu would be young and not mature enough, so he was appointed as an envoy only after he was about to be destroyed. Since it was recommended by Xuan Zan, is there any mistake? Waiting for Liu Staff Discuss it, then send it away. This is a business of sending people to the tiger's mouth, without an agreement with his father and son, how can he send it casually?" Tong Guan made a mistake, and quickly made amends.He sighed and said: "It is in vain for the Xuanfu Secretary to have so many staff members. If you lead them and invite them to accept them, the room is crowded with people. When it comes time to do things, they think that there are not enough people. When things are a little tricky, they even dodge them." , lest they find him on his head, these are nothing more than wine bags and rice bags." This was an intoxicating remark, but it did not attract Ma Kuo's attention.After he considered his task further.Seriously make some observations. "In Ma's view, sending envoys to surrender is certainly an urgent task at present, but after all, the battle is in the right direction, and caressing is a miracle, and Qi is going to complement each other. If our army does not plan to defeat the enemy in a battle, we are afraid of the discussion of appeasement. It may not be successful. If you only focus on recruiting, there will be no harm. At present, the army is still strictly prohibited from crossing the river, so that the enemy is rampant and our army is discouraged. Ma is also afraid that the enemy will gain power. Once the fire attack invades, he is willing to declare Assess the situation, as a strategy for fighting and defending, if you have the opportunity, send your army across the river, don't make people think about it. A small body, if you have to die, you will have no regrets." Although Tong Guan couldn't listen to these harsh words, he nodded and praised his courage: "Xuan Zan does not hesitate to use his body as a bait to die for the country. He is truly a hero of the age. But this envoy must be careful in his actions and act carefully. If it is not out of necessity, he will never make it difficult for Xuan Zan to act in another country." Then Fearing that things might change, he asked again, "Here's what's up to you. Don't worry. Let's see if it's the best day to leave?" "The time is pressing, so there is no room for delay! Mr. Ma will go to select the entourage immediately. If Xuan Fu has no other instructions, he will leave early in the morning the day after tomorrow, and he will not bid farewell to Xuan Fu." "It's so good." Tong Guan was full of joy, and he promised again, "I have returned from the great achievements of this trip, and I am here to revise the book, and I will listen to it in heaven, and I will never let you down. The decree to Yeluchun The letter has already been processed by the Sili, and it can be delivered at night. The letter notifying the other party will be processed immediately. The two hundred confessions will be sent together. The entourage of Xuanzan and the officials, soldiers and civilians who have returned from the Liao court can fill in at their discretion Fu. Important officials, from the observation envoys to the defense envoys, listen to the judgment. Li Chuwen, Yelu Dashi, etc. come to surrender, and once the envoys are allowed to play the imperial court, they will not hesitate to reward the princes, and they can talk openly and honestly with praise." Endowed Ma Although the envoy's power of appointment below was due to the need for diplomatic work, it also showed his trust in Ma Kuo, so Tong Guan repeated that sentence to show his respect.Then he solemnly asked, "It's just the matter of Li Chuwen, which is the most pivotal and has a great relationship. The success or failure of this trip depends entirely on him. Tonight, the envoy Zhao Longtu will come to visit. You two should think about it carefully." Think about it, see how to make a move, it will be safe." Ma Kuo agreed one by one.Only then did Tong Guan order the main door to be opened wide and send him all the way to the door.This is a special gift that Xuan Fushi has never given to his staff.He not only used this to express his preferential treatment to Ma Kuo, but also used it to condemn those subordinates who usually held harsh comments on Ma Kuo and were timid. What made Tong Guan happy was that this transaction, which he had estimated in advance to be much more difficult - exchanging a "must have" head for an "unnecessary" wealth, turned out to be so easy to close the deal, called He was overjoyed.In Tong Guan's calculation, the use value of such a courageous and insightful head like Ma Kuo is fully estimated. "After all, my Tongguan has excellent eyesight," he thought triumphantly, "At the beginning, he fought hard against the way of cultivating teachers, so he kept this talent. I don't think it will really come in handy today." He bet again on this new trump card.

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