Chapter 67 In the fourth quarter, the general of the same heart will take the blame

Handan City became lively. All kinds of rumors about the Mianchi League quickly permeated the streets and streets, and Chinese people gathered in restaurants, restaurants, officials and towns to discuss, while competing to tell the magical secrets they heard, and at the same time calling friends and gathering friends to gamble and gamble. This is the first time that the Handan wine shop was coaxed by Zhao Guoren himself!It was the first time that the people of Zhao State were elated. Even when King Wuling of Zhao was invigorating the country, and when Ma Fujun defeated the Qin army for the first time, the Zhao people had never experienced such spontaneous celebration.King Wuling left before he had time to confront the Qin State, while Ma Fujun defeated the Qin army miserably.It was not the case this time. It was the first time that Zhao Guo taught the arrogant and arrogant King Qin a lesson in the Great Confederation. Not only did Qin not take advantage of it, but he did not attack immediately as he did with other countries.What does period mean?Isn't it true that Zhao Guo is really powerful, and Qin Guo no longer dares to dictate to Zhao Guoyi?Didn't Zhao Guo come out with Lin Xiangru, who dared to fight against the King of Qin?With strength and strong ministers, what are you afraid of Qin Guo doing?Zhao Guoneng stood side by side with the most powerful country in the world, Zhao Guoren's face was radiant, and the tense national atmosphere that he had only known for a long time to fight against the world could finally relax a little. How could the excitement not flow out of the streets and streets without bounds?

On the third day after Zhao Wang drove back to Handan, news came from the palace: Zhao Wang granted Lin Xiangru the title of Shangqing, and he was in the same position as Lord Pingyuan to govern the country, ranking right next to the general Lian Po!When the news came out, the people of Handan were once again ebullient, praising King Zhao's wisdom and rejoicing that the strong minister was in charge of the country. All of a sudden, they flocked to sit in front of Xin Shangqing's mansion to drink and sing, and commented enthusiastically. The high car and four horses, but also to see the demeanor of Xin Shangqing when he left the mansion for the first time.

General Lian Po was the most indignant when Lin Xiangru was conferred the title of Shangqing and took charge of prime minister. If it is said that the title is also Shangqing, it is nothing more than "ranking to the right of Lianpo", how can he bear it?The right is the top, which refers to the order in which the official roster is written. The right is in front of the left, so the right is the top.According to the tradition of the Warring States Period, if the generals are of the same rank, they will be in the front position, because the prime minister is the chief minister of the general regent. Although the general or the top general is also a key minister, they are only military commanders after all; arrangement.For high-ranking and important ministers, the practical significance of this arrangement lies more in the arrangement of seats at court meetings, and has nothing to do with actual positions.The order of the ministers' seats at the court meeting is based on the list determined by the monarch's edict.That is to say, according to the arrangement of "Zhi right", Lin Xiangru is superior to him, the general of Shangqing, in all ceremonial occasions. If a car meets a driver, he has to avoid the side of the road first, and drive after the other party passes by.It is precisely here that Lao Lian can't bear it.

On this day, Lou Huan, the general of Yanmen Pass, came to visit. When he talked about the Mianchi League, which was a well-known story in the government and the public, Lao Lianpo became angrily: "Old man, a veteran of three dynasties, was born and died in hundreds of battles, and has made great achievements in siege and field battles! Lin Xiangru He was originally a commoner and a lowly disciple, but he was able to rank above the old man with nothing but words, which is really embarrassing!" Lou Suan was originally a famous general with both civil and military skills. At the beginning, he was appointed by King Zhao Wuling to lead the army for the deposed prince Zhao Zhang, but he was inexplicably dismissed by Young Master Cheng as a "party-affiliated rebel".At this time, Lou Huan was over fifty years old, and he was depressed on weekdays, seeing Lao Lian sighing angrily, he also sighed: "The bureaucrats of the court are unpredictable, why should the old general be sad, but a word of patience is enough. ""How unreasonable!" Lian Po angrily clapped the case, "I just can't bear to be under the sway!" Lou Huan said in surprise: "Before the Mianchi League, the old general came to Yanmen Pass to transfer troops and praised Lin Xiangru for his talent and sophistication. Why is it so so today? Unbearable?" Lian Po waved his big hand and said passionately: "Lin Xiangru is only a senior doctor, so of course he will be fine! How can a tongue-in-cheek occupy a high position be convincing?" Lou Huan nodded and said, "Even so, the old general is still Forbearance is the most important word, after all, King Zhao favored him." Hearing this, Lao Lianpo's face turned red even more: "It is King Zhao who is unfair, so why should I be afraid! If I see Lin Xiangru in the future, I will definitely humiliate this man. Slut doorman!"

After sending him off, Lian Po summoned the government secretary and said: "In the future, no matter whether you are going on the street or entering the palace, if you see Lin Xiangru driving in a chariot, I will give you the head of the old man!" With a bang, he went to settle down. As the word spread, a group of good-natured people immediately reported to the Shangqing Mansion. Lin Xiangru just smiled when he heard it, and told the guard centurion to avoid the general's car in the future.For the three court meetings this year, Lin Xiangru wrote in advance to report his illness, which avoided the embarrassment of the courtiers when they were seated.Fortunately, there are few court meetings a year, and daily state affairs are not delayed.Once, Lin Xiangru went out to Handan to inspect the people's conditions, and it was already dusk when he returned. As soon as the car drove into a long street in the direction of the mansion, he heard the sound of cars in front of him, but it was Lian Po's cars and horses coming towards him.The guards and drivers seemed to have forgotten Lin Xiangru's order, and they went ahead as usual without any intention of avoiding it.Lin Xiangru, who was standing under the hood of the six-foot cart, had already seen the familiar snow-white beard and hair, the fluttering red cloak, and the spear on the shining bronze helmet. He stamped his feet vigorously, and the driver drove the cart in a hurry. next to an alley.Hearing the loud laughter coming from behind, all the accompanying officials and soldiers of the guards were annoyed, but Lin Xiangru, as if nothing had happened, actually dozed off under the hood of the car.

Back in the mansion, the doorman Sheren who was in charge of government affairs followed into the study and gave Lin Xiangru a bow: "Shangqing Mingcha: I will not accept what happened today!" Lin Xiangru smiled: "Why do you not accept it, but say It's okay." The doorman said: "The reason why we gave up our relatives and friends and joined Qing's family is only to admire your steadfast character. Now Shangqing and Lian Po are the same nobles and are on the right. Lian Po speaks evil words, and Shang Qing, however, avoids running away, feeling ashamed of being a mediocre commoner, let alone a general! I am ashamed to be a guest of the emperor, and I am so ashamed to resign from the emperor today!" With one sentence, he turned around and left.

"Wait a minute." Lin Xiangru waved his hand, "Scholars are unyielding, they are free to come and go. But, you only answer my question, and then you can go or stay, how about it?" "Your Majesty, there is no harm in asking." "In your opinion, how powerful is Lian Po compared to King Qin?" "Naturally not as good as King Qin." "I still understand!" Lin Xiangru clasped his palms and laughed, "With the power of the King of Qin, Lin Xiangru would openly reprimand the kings and ministers of the world, but the ministers and warriors of the Qin Kingdom had nothing to do. Even if Xiangru is a poor horse, why is he afraid of the power of the old general Lianpo?" Well? I think differently, hold differently. In the end, what I think is: Qiang Qin dare not add troops to Zhao, it means that there is an old general and Lin Xiangru. If two tigers fight, both sides will suffer. Lin Xiangru avoids the old general General, it's just that the country's urgent needs are put first, and then personal enmity is the second, how could it be possible!"

After thinking for a long time, Sheren bowed solemnly: "I would like to be taught." "That's all for Xiangru, it's up to you to let others go and stay." The doorman turned around and strode away without saying a word.He found the guards, the driver, and all the officials, servants and maids in the mansion, and repeatedly told them about Lin Xiangru's painstaking efforts. He made an agreement with the guards, drivers and servants: he decided to obey the order of the Shangqing and not cause trouble with anyone in the general's mansion. !After all, Shangqing's mansion was stabilized. Officials, guards, servants, etc. met people in the general's mansion in Handan who deliberately provoked them, and they avoided them far away, without any regrets.In the Warring States period, where fame and dignity were valued, especially in the State of Zhao, where aggressive duels were a common practice, this kind of concession by the upper and lower officials of the Shangqing Mansion puzzled the ministers and the people of Handan, and it was a discussion for a while. There are many.The officials of various mansions cross-examined and laughed privately, and the officials of Shangqing's mansion couldn't bear it, and finally told Lin Xiangru's words, and the last sentence was impassioned: "Shangqing is devoted to seeking the country, how can we be of the same mind as Shangqing! "During the conversation, not only was there no trace of humiliation and anger, but a kind of awe-inspiring feeling of bearing the burden of humiliation and righteousness spontaneously emerged, and the listeners were all horrified and moved.

Gradually, Lin Xiangru's words spread. For more than a year, Lao Lian was getting more and more irritable.Lin Xiangru didn't attend the court meeting, he looked at the empty seat on his right and burst into anger.When they met on the road, Lin Xiangru avoided him again, and he avoided him every time.Lao Lian was very energetic, so he ordered several Sima to provoke the officials of the Shangqing government, and forced Lin Xiangru to come out and argue with the old man!Even so, Lin Xiangru still didn't show up, and even the officials and servants of Shangqing's mansion were unbelievably good-natured, and they just refused to meet with the people in his mansion.The prestige is prestige, but Lao Lianpo is even more suffocated and furious.Whether it is according to the style of the army or the style of the government and the country, the humiliated must have a break with the provocateur.This decision is a duel among common people and scholars, a martial arts competition in the military camp, and confrontation with theory and even mutual hatred among courtiers.For example, Zhao Dun, the powerful official of the Jin State, scolded his official Tu Anjia in front of the monarch, and Tu Anjia blatantly released the mastiff to hunt and kill Zhao Dun.Zhao Guoben is one of the successors of the Jin State. The Zhao family has always been a military family. If you challenge and shy away, you will be accused of being cowardly and unworthy, and no one will deal with it from then on.According to his original intention, Lao Lianpo just wanted to humiliate Lin Xiangru and let his anger go. He would never contact the ministers to force King Zhao to depose Lin Xiangru or meet him like a soldier.After all, Lian Po was a loyal and brave general who was born in the army, and Lin Xiangru was also a capable minister who Zhao Wang relied on to govern the country.What Lao Lianpo thinks of is dissatisfaction, what he wants to do is to vent his anger, and what he wants in the end is that you, Lin Xiangru, must remember the old man!However, after more than a year of being aggressive and provocative, the tamper hit the cloud and became limp and unable to exert any strength. This old man was really pissed off!After thinking about it, Lao Lian decided to write a letter to the King of Zhao: resign from this useless general, please go to Yunzhong to lead the army to fight the Qin army, leave this suffocating Handan, and never see this crooked Lin Xiangru again!Otherwise, Lin Xiangru, a slut who is a doorman, will be deposed. After all, the old man and this slut are at odds with each other!

That day Lao Lianpo rushed back to Handan from the Wu'an military camp, thinking about it all the way, after returning to the house to take a bath, he changed into a dry ramie cloth clothes and went into the study, before he sat down before the case, the government secretary came in a hurry.Lao Lianpo knew at a glance that he had something to report, so he stood in front of the desk, said something, and hesitated?The government secretary's face turned white and red, and Ai Ai couldn't speak.Lao Lianpo shouted angrily, what a bird!Did Lin Xiangru cut off his tongue?The government secretary was startled, and then he stammered what Lin Xiangru had said, and finally bowed his head with a flushed face.

"Did Lin Xiangru say that?" Lao Lian had a serious face. "Exactly." "Who else has heard of it?" "It's spread all over Handan City. The general can prove it to Lord Pingyuan." "It's really strange." Lao Lian po muttered, but he was speechless for a long time, and he didn't even know when the government secretary went out. During this period of time, Lao Lianpo has also vaguely noticed that his colleagues look a little strange, and the people of the country are far away from the carriages and horses on the long street, and there is no such thing as competing to watch the old man. Yuan Rong's demeanor was so hot that it was always deserted wherever he went.Even before the government secretary reported it, he didn't take these things to heart, he just thought that everyone has his own business, who would just wait there to respect you?When the minister of government affairs said this, Lao Lianpo seemed to have swallowed a dose of strange medicine, and he couldn't recall it for a long time. He only felt that the original anger had turned into a coldness inexplicably, and he felt heavy and uncomfortable.Thinking about it carefully, those scenes that I didn't care about at first appeared so clearly in front of my eyes at this moment, even the eyes of the courtiers were so clear.Yes, it was ridicule mixed with a little pity. The courtiers laughed at the old man for being intolerant, and the people of the market pitied the old man for his old age.In this way, in the eyes of the ruling and opposition parties, has the old man become an unreasonable lunatic who relies on the old to sell the old?Yes, yes, for sure. Suddenly, Lao Lian remembered a sentence from King Zhao half a month ago. On that day, Lian Po entered the palace to discuss with King Zhao how to encroach on the Shangdang of South Korea. At the end, King Zhao sighed: "Old general, a country is like a mansion, and a single tree is hard to support." Answer: "My king is not worried, the old minister will join hands with Lord Pingyuan, organize the army and master the military, and compete with Qiang Qin!" King Zhao seemed to want to say something, but he hesitated in the end.Thinking about it today, King Zhao also clearly knew that he provoked Lin Xiangru and caused a discord between the general and the prime minister, so he sighed this way.Then, why didn't King Zhao say it clearly?Do you not trust Lao Lianpo?No, absolutely not!Lao Lian Po has gone through hundreds of battles and has been through three generations of monarchs. He has never been suspicious of the monarch and the opposition, even if he is defeated in a battle or has improper planning.Then, the biggest possibility is that he has expectations for Lao Lian?What are the expectations?Lao Lianpo's heart sank, and even though he was alone, his face suddenly turned red—King Zhao left room for maneuver for the old minister, and hoped that the two important ministers would take the initiative to repair it.Thinking about it now, if Lin Xiangru came to the door on his own initiative, the old man could step down and make peace.With a flash of thought, Lao Lianpo blushed again.Does Lin Xiangru dare to come?You, Lao Lian, are quite aggressive and provocative. They have avoided politeness for more than a year. You old bastard's bowstring is not loose. What are you doing?To humiliate you openly?If you want to reconcile, you have to go to the door in person.After careful reflection, Lin Xiangru is indeed a tough celebrity. Although you, Lao Lianpo, won the battlefield, you may not be so heroic as a special envoy to face the King of Qin. Standing alone with a sword and blood splashing five steps, is it not as good as fighting on the battlefield?No!In all fairness, Lin Xiangru not only needs the same courage and courage as fighting on the battlefield with thousands of horses and horses, but also needs the quick-witted rhetoric of sudden response.So wait, are you a good old man?no.No, I'm still not convinced!What is this called?In the army, it is called "rat belly and chicken intestines should be eaten and beaten"!What's more, you Lao Lianpo was originally a farmer's son from the army, and after a few days as a general, you called Lin Xiangru a "slut", you are really old and murderous!Speaking of it, Lin Xiangru was still a scholar, and he had no choice but to become a family guest. The inferior situation abounds among famous scholars in the Warring States Period. Didn't Su Qin and Zhang Yi all become prime ministers?He earned the credit based on his real ability, how sour is your old stuff?Your old stuff is full of acid, but others are courteous with the country's safety as the most important thing. Comparing the two sides, your old innocence is quite a thing?The evil deeds are done by yourself, but you wait for others to step you down, Lian Po, Lian Po, you have lived in vain for more than seventy years, and your honest nature is really eaten by dogs. The whole night, the lamps and candles in Lian Po's study room were on, and the tall figure on the linen window lingered until the cock crowed at five o'clock. Early in the morning, when the sun climbed up to the top of the eastern mountain, it was the noisy time of the beginning of a new day's work in the city of cars and horses.The main gate of the General's Mansion opened rumblingly, and the carriages and horses rushed out. Although there was no one under the six-foot canopy of the bronze carriage, the soldiers of the guards and the accompanying Sima behind the carriage looked solemn. It is more solemn than going on the road in ordinary times. Horses and horses rattled out of the street, and a city resident who hadn't had time to leave suddenly exclaimed: "Look quickly! The flesh is covered with thorns!" With this cry, pedestrians in a hurry on the street came over and surrounded them. Looking at it, no one spoke, but they all moved slowly behind the chariots and horses. Behind the bronze cart, walked an old man with white beard and hair, naked to the waist. A thick thorny thorn was tied to the bronzed back, and the drops of blood from the thorns flowed into a bright red line!The old man looked solemn and calmly looked at the crowd of onlookers. He just bowed silently and followed the cart step by step.There was no good person to explain, and everyone knew where General Lian Po was going and what he was going to do.All of a sudden, the generous and heroic Handan people sighed with emotion. Although there were more and more entourages, they were so quiet that only the sound of breathing was heard. Lin Xiangru was opening a feather book urgent report in the study room, and before he could read it, he heard the hurried footsteps of the chief manager Sheren rushing in with a sharp voice: "Shangqing, hurry up, the old general is here!" "Don't panic." Lin Xiangru turned around and smiled, "Since the old general can come to the door, where else can Lin Xiangru escape?" "No! The old general's flesh is bare, here comes the apology!" Suddenly, Lin Xiangru was stunned, but immediately ordered: "Quick! Open the middle door, and I will be there immediately." When the middle gate of the Shangqing Mansion opened rumblingly and the officials rushed out excitedly to line up the guard of honor, the streets and alleys in front of the mansion and the carriage and horse farm were already filled with awe-inspiring crowd.Just as the general drove into the main entrance from the crowded corridor, the chief steward Sheren under the porch shouted at a long time: "Shangqing welcomes the general—" With the sound of shouting, Lin Xiangru strode out. With his hair tied up and his clothes bare to the left, he walked up to Lao Lian, who was bare-faced and bare-faced, in full view.All of a sudden, thousands of people from across the country were silent, and they all held their breath in unison. According to the ancient customs, the most sincere apology is to expose the thorns, and the identification of important proposals or events is to expose the left arm.There is no necessary connection between the two, but just different signs in different situations.However, Lin Xiangru was a man of quick wit and extraordinary sharpness, and he immediately thought of how to deal with the old general's ancient and solemn plea?Under the eyes of thousands of people, Lao Lianpo blatantly exposed the thorns, not only to plead guilty to him, Lin Xiangru, but also frankly to the government and the opposition; and driving along with him is a kind of deep self-humiliation of the old general: this flesh is the one who bears the thorns. He is the great general of Zhao Guo, whose behavior is not worthy of the title, he should be whipped with thorns!It is really shocking that the old general is so sincere!If you greet with an official crown, although it is not wrong, but in terms of etiquette, you are suspected of being condescending. Not only do you feel sorry for yourself, but it is obviously uncomfortable in the eyes of the Chinese; , but there is always something missing.The general and the prime minister are at odds, you Lin Xiangru took it seriously and you didn't miss anything?Just avoiding provocation is devotion to the country?For more than a year, you, Lin Xiangru, as a prime minister and chief regent, have ignored the important ministers of the same rank and delayed many urgent affairs of the state. Don't you really feel ashamed?All of a sudden, Lin Xiangru's heart trembled unceasingly, a kind of deep self-blame welled up spontaneously, and he immediately removed the crown belt and bared his left arm to meet him. Lao Lian Po, who was walking in front of the car, was also a little uneasy at first, although he sincerely apologized to the most candid, and he was prepared in his heart, even if the other party was as knowledgeable as he was before and took the opportunity to humiliate him, he should have done it!The old man is wrong, the old man admits, how Shangqing treats it is Shangqing's business, why do you want him?The old man pleaded guilty, but the other party is still big, so there is no other than well water and no river water!With this in mind, Lao Lianpo walked to the front of the car two arrows away, his body swayed all the way, the thick, long and sharp thorns cut repeatedly, and the blood line on his naked spine had turned into dripping blood , spread down along those numerous purple-red scars, and dyed the waistband of the tight-fitting Hu suit in bright red, and all the onlookers were horrified and moved!Lao Lian, who has been through many battles, is completely unaware of the pain in his flesh and blood. Although he was uneasy, he walked forward calmly. All of a sudden, Lao Lian was nailed to the spot, his eyes suddenly blurred, who is the commoner who is left-handed? "Shangqing!" The old general burst into tears, and fell to the ground with a choked sob. "Old General!" Lin Xiangru, who was coming quickly, also fell on the ground and hugged Lian Po with open arms, "Xiangru's younger generation, who is too rigid, is really unworthy!" Then he turned around, "Where is the doctor? Go to Jing for the old general! " "Wait a minute!" Lao Lianpo cupped his hands, "Shangqing is so broad-minded, Lao Lianpo has no place to be ashamed. Shangqing is here, and Lao Lianpo worshiped him three times, and then please Shangqing to hold the thorn whip." "Old General!" Lin Xiangru choked up, "If you believe that Xiangru is a man, Xiangru, please make a life-and-death friendship with the old general!" Suddenly, Lao Lianpo's eyes lit up: "Is this really true?" "The old general is bold and magnanimous, and Lin Xiangru admires him the most!" Lian Po burst out laughing, but the big bronze face full of gullies was full of tears, "Lin Xiangru is righteous and virtuous, old Lian Po is lucky in his life, and he should be a friend who cut the neck." "Okay! The old general is here, please accept Xiangru's salute." Without any explanation, Lin Xiangru helped Lian Po to stand up, and then bowed down on the ground, solemnly swearing, "Lian Po will go, and Xiangru will follow him with his neck cut in front of the grave." Lian Po lifted Lin Xiangru up with trembling hands, and solemnly paid his respects: "Xiangru, but go, Lao Lianpo is not alone." Lin Xiangru took Lian Po's hand: "Old general, if you and I can say a word to the people of our country, we will be able to do so." After counting this covenant of life and death, how about it?" "Okay!" Lian Po responded generously, and the two of them raised their hands together and shouted to the crowd in front of the mansion: "Thousands of people testify: Lian Po and Lin Xiangru have one heart in life and death. , slay the neck without regrets!" "Long live—" the people from all over the country suddenly cheered, and the sound actually covered half of Handan. This day turned into a day of great joy for the General's Mansion and the Shangqing Mansion, and the people of the two mansions unexpectedly gathered at the Shangqing Mansion for a feast and celebration.When the news spread, King Zhao Huiwen was very pleased, and immediately rushed to Shangqing Mansion to personally gift a cart of Shangfang Zhao Wine, and opened the tripod for the banquet in person.After hearing the news, all the ministers came to congratulate, and the Shangqing Mansion was lively until midnight.When the ministers and officials dispersed, Lin Xiangru invited Zhao Wang, Lord Pingyuan and Lian Po into the study, and took out the feather letter to report urgently: Qin Guochang, Shi Wangji, went to Wei Guo secretly, and Wei Guo secretly contacted Qi State. Kingdom, the three countries may form a horizontal alliance! "The State of Qin is always facing the State of Zhao." Mr. Pingyuan frowned, "As the land of Jixi, the State of Qi and I already had an old score to settle. The State of Wei has been in decline for many years, and he also has a lot of jealousy towards me. So he If you want to compete with Qin Lianheng and contend against Zhao Guo's power, you have to guard against it." "What does Shangqing think?" King Zhao Huiwen was obviously worried. Lin Xiangru smiled calmly: "Since it is a strong country, it must face the world's calculations and siege. If it is forgotten by the world, it will not be very interesting. Qin has been calculated and besieged by the six Shandong countries for nearly a hundred years. Isn't it because of Qin's strength? The situation is changing, Zhao Guo has become the target of all the people in the world, it is the glory of Zhao Guo, my king should not worry about it. But if we can deal with it properly, encirclement is tempering!" "You just said how to deal with it." Lao Lianpo interjected, obviously obeying the order with sincerity. "My king, Lord Pingyuan, great general," Lin Xiangru said frankly, "for the current plan, the strength of Zhao State is slightly inferior to that of Qin, so we should stop it with silence: the army strictly guards the key points and passes, and sends out many diplomatic missions. To delay the frontal collision between Qin and Zhao. In terms of diplomatic relations, we should focus on South Korea, supplemented by Chu Yan." "Focus on South Korea?" Lian Po was puzzled, "The decline of South Korea, the whole country can't match the two counties of Qin State. Is it useful to spend money and grain to deal with it?" Lin Xiangru smiled leisurely: "Although South Korea is small and weak, there is danger in Shangdang. If Shangdang belongs to me, what should I do?" "Oh, yes!" Lian Po suddenly laughed, "Why have you forgotten this? Qin Guozheng is salivating at Shangdang. If you hold Han Han tightly and pry Shangdang over, this battle will be easier to fight." Already!" With a bang, the four monarchs and ministers burst into laughter.