Father Han Gaozu

Chapter 723 Not Easy

"His Majesty is coming!"

When the officials excitedly brought this news to Zhao Xiang, Yuan An's face became even more vicissitudes.

Yuan Ang was actually very young, he was even a few years younger than Chao Cuo, and he was once a tall, sunny and not very cheerful man, a warm-blooded scribe.

But since he came to work in Zhao country, his appearance has become more and more vicissitudes.

The melancholy that emanates from the heart, coupled with his calm but slightly sad face, this temperament can even be compared to a certain left prime minister who has become a third man because of his beauty.

Yuan Ang is no longer that young and frivolous young man who wants to display his great ambitions, and Zhao Wang is still the same Zhao Wang.

Ever since becoming Prime Minister of Zhao, Yuan An has not been able to spend a night in peace.

Lying on the bed every day, he would look towards the door.

It seemed that in the next moment, soldiers from the Northern Army would break in through that gate, drag him all the way outside, and cut off his head with a knife.

At the very beginning, he was even thinking, what last words should he use to end his remaining life?
"Long live King Zhao??"

"The minister is innocent??"

No matter what you say, you can't change this ending.

When he first came to the State of Zhao, someone reminded him that it would be easy to lose his head if he came to serve the King of Zhao. He thought it was just his own head, but unexpectedly, it turned out that he was going to lose the heads of King Zhao and his clan.

To be the Prime Minister of Zhao is somewhat sorry for his clan.

Whenever something happened in Handan, his elder brother who raised him would write to him and ask him to calm down. Now his elder brother would shake his legs when he saw Ting Wei's soldiers, and he suffered from serious illness. Mental illness, the whole family lives a happy life with scalp numbness.

Unfortunate for Yuan Ang, his father was a glorious thief in the past, and he got together with a group of people to rob along the road, claiming to rob the rich and benefit himself, and doing some business without money, he robbed houses in the area of ​​Chu State and Huainan State. The little brother under his command said that he had a great job, and there were countless grains and treasures. After doing it this time, he would have no worries about food and drink for several lifetimes. Yuan An's father was overjoyed, and led all seventeen people out to plunder , As a result, I went out and saw that it was General Xia Houying who led the Northern Army and escorted the grain carts to attack Yingbu.

Yuan An's father was silent for a long time, but the messenger was right, it really was a big job.

After Yuan An's father executed the bandit in charge of investigating the news excitedly, he expressed his willingness to surrender.

Xia Houying was busy fighting Yingbu, and didn't care about the bandit, so he sent him to a prisoner camp. In the end, Yuan An's father was honorably sent to the Tang Dynasty. He was very happy, and later his father died in a battle against the Huns, which can be regarded as atonement. His father worked very hard on the battlefield, perhaps because he lived a good life in the Tang Dynasty and wanted to repay. Perhaps just to let the children live a better life, he led the old brothers in the past to fight off one of the Huns, and died of exhaustion. His credit was converted into a title and left to Yuan Yuan. Ang's brother.

Yuan An's elder brother Yuan Kui fully inherited their father's talents, he was good at speaking, and got a lot of people around him. This group of young and famous rangers started a happy life.

The local officials expressed their admiration for his talent, so they sent him to Hexi Kingdom for further studies.

After serving a year of corvee service in Hexi, Yuan Kui learned from the painful experience and thought that he must fundamentally change his family, so he began to join the army and imitated his father. He was injured several times during the battle, and his record was also very good. He raised the title left to him by his father, and almost reached the point where he could become a marquis. And most importantly, relying on his good eloquence, He met some insignificant friends, such as Zhou Bo and Lu Shizhi.

In order to prevent the family from repeating the same mistakes, Yuan Kui invited everyone to give lectures to his younger brother, and worked hard to train him into a scholar-type talent.

As a result, the training was so good that the younger brother was extremely dissatisfied with the elder brother who was called a social butterfly, and always bluntly reprimanded him for his behavior, making his elder brother look ashamed. When he came to take care of him, he scolded him with a stern face, saying that he despised the other party's behavior of emphasizing personal relationships, and that he couldn't leave a relationship. The result is that the elder brother is desperately making friends, and the younger brother is desperately making enemies. .

But Zhang Cang admired Yuan An very much and thought this young man was good, so he taught him Confucian knowledge, expressing that he wanted to accept him as his disciple and train him like Jia Yi.

As a result, Yuan An was unwilling, and reprimanded Zhang Cang for his lack of personal morality. Zhang Cang was furious. Although he didn't persecute him, he didn't mention the matter of teaching him again.

When he was young, Yuan An was an absolute thorn, and he also bluntly advised the emperor. No matter who you were, he would scold you if you were wrong. He got along very happily with Chao Cuo and got along well with each other.

Zhao Guo finally smoothed out his edges and corners.

Today's Yuan An looks a bit more mature than his brother.

Even when he heard the news that the emperor was coming to Zhao, he was not moved at all.

"Your Majesty came to the Tang Kingdom, of course, to see how Zhao's mines are doing on weekdays, and how it is now. This matter must be strictly sealed, especially not to let the king know."

The official was a little surprised, "Shouldn't the king be prepared earlier?"

Yuan Ang shook his head, with a scheming look on his face, "If Your Majesty finds out, maybe someone will drive a chariot of six horses to meet His Majesty. Your Majesty doesn't know anything, and it's best not to prepare for anything."

The official took it very seriously, sighed a long time, and said: "Our great king is doing nonsense, just the day before yesterday, he actually ordered the Yuefu to arrange the Bayi Dance, and asked the Yuefu to find 64 people for him. Terrified, crying and begging for mercy, the king actually said that he wanted to compose it and dedicated it to His Majesty. He also said that His Majesty has been in a bad mood recently, and he likes these things. He wanted to compose a dance that would make him happy. I resigned collectively yesterday, and quit, and there are a lot of discussions between the government and the opposition."

Yuan Ang's forehead twitched, "Well, I know about this, the king still wants me to be responsible for writing lyrics for Wu, don't worry about him, and take care of domestic affairs with peace of mind."

"only!!"

The little official left, Yuan An took a sip of tea calmly, his face was more bitter than the tea.

Why did I come to this country of Zhao in the first place?
Of course, it's too late to say anything now, if you break the pot and smash it, and govern the Zhao country well before you die, you must leave a few good achievements in the biography of the minister.

In fact, Zhao Guo's affairs, as long as you don't care about the king, the overall situation is still very good.

Thanks to Yuan An's efforts, Zhao State has regained its position as the core of the North, and has taken full advantage in commerce. Handan has also become the economic center of the North. Zhao State's status has been continuously improved. Ignoring Zhao Guo again, even those Tang people who came to Zhao Guo to do business will stop beating Zhao Guo people. This is a very good progress.

There have always been conflicts between Tang and Zhao, and the source can even be traced back to the Warring States period. When Li Zuoche’s grandfather Li Mu was killed, Li Mu was stationed in Tang and helped the locals resist the Huns. Prestige, in the end, was sold by the Zhao people. Yan Guo also had conflicts with Zhao Guo, and it can also be traced back to the time when Li Mu was killed. Of course, this was not because Li Mu had contributed to Yan Guo, but because Yan Guo was put under Zhao Guo’s control at that time. The reason for beating his head madly.

After all, Zhao State has the background of a big country. After these years of development, its national strength has gradually caught up with the other two countries, and there is still a situation of catching up.

Just as Yuan Ang was sinking his head and began to deal with the memorials from various places, he suddenly heard a burst of chaotic footsteps.

"Yuan Xiang!!!"

"Yuan Xiang!!"

Hearing this voice, Yuan Ang felt a little uncomfortable.

Liu Ruyi walked into the study excitedly, looked at Yuan An who was sitting in front of the case, and grabbed the other's hand, "Have you heard?! The chief is coming to Zhao country!!"

Yuan An was silent for a moment, then replied: "I have never heard of it, how did Your Majesty know?"

"It's what Langzhong Yang Buyi said."

"Oh"

"The chief is coming to Zhao country. This is a big event. Don't be negligent. Be prepared! Isn't my dance just going to come in handy?"

"Yes."

"Should I have to prepare a luxury car with six horses to meet him?"

"correct."

"The chief is most concerned about the national conditions. Now that the people of Zhao State are all rich, should we gather people over the age of 70 from all over the country and hold a banquet for thousands of old people in Zhao State, so that the chief can see how many people live long under our rule? "

"Uh-huh."

King Zhao happily talked about a lot of his plans, "The state of Zhao today is not what it used to be. Let him see his achievements, let Zhao's army gather, and let them be strong and strong." , the army set out to meet the emperor!! Let the commander also see the military appearance of our Zhao country!!"

"Ok."

Liu Ruyi left the study happily, still talking about his plans, but after he left, Yuan An immediately called the little official over: "Tell Shang Shuling that no matter what orders the king gives, you must first agree, and then Hide it, if you ask, just say that you are doing it, don’t really do it.”

"only!!"

"By the way, arrest Langzhong Yang Buyi and send him to Xia Guo."

A group of horses and horses came to the territory of Zhao country in a mighty way. Liu Chang rode a white horse and looked at the spacious road in front of him, and couldn't help but be amazed.

"This Yuan An still has some talents. I met his elder brother before, and his elder brother is even more talented. Compared with his elder brother, Yuan An's talent is still far behind. I don't know if he can catch up with his elder brother now. Woolen cloth?"

Li Zuoche, who was traveling with him, was a little surprised, "Yuan An has managed to govern the country of Zhao in a few years since Yuan An came to the country. Is his elder brother more talented than him?"

Lu Lu couldn't help but replied: "Naturally, his elder brother's talent is extraordinary. In just a few words, His Majesty rewarded him with hundreds of gold and fine clothes, which is even more flattering than Prime Minister Zuo. If it wasn't for his appearance, Prime Minister Zuo , maybe the position of the left minister is his, and this person is different from the left minister. He praises whoever he sees, and if he meets a picky man when he goes out, he can probably blow it for half an hour. This person is known as Chang'an has the most friends, nothing else, just a lot of friends, everyone should give him some face, because of his elder brother, Yuan An can live until now."

Li Zuoche laughed loudly, "If you say that, then he is quite capable."

"Being able to make friends is considered a skill."

Several people chatted all the way, and in the carriage, the three ladies were also chatting about the situation outside, Fan Qing looked at the gray-haired old man outside, and couldn't help but said: "Unexpectedly, after so many years, the growth is still a little It hasn’t changed. I went to a foreign country, and actually tricked an old man to come with me. When he was young, he liked to deceive people to go to Tang country, and now he started to deceive people from Tang country to return to Chang’an. At the beginning, I didn’t check for a while, and I was deceived by him. go."

Yong'e laughed, "You were just tricked from Chang'an to Chang'an, but I was tricked from Shu to Chang'an. I didn't say anything."

Cao Shu glared at them, "Stop talking nonsense."

"The old general is a famous general of the great man. This time, he will serve as the chief priest and teach the officers. How can he make fun of him like this?"

"When you arrive in Zhao State later, you have to hold back your temper, don't run around, and be polite to Zhao Wang's family members, don't be rude, you understand?!"

Hearing Cao Shu's words, Fan Qing curled her lips, "Eldest sister, you are the queen, and Zhao Wang's family members should be very polite when they see you, why should you be polite to them?"

"Elder Zhao Wang and Your Majesty, Zhao Wang's wife is our sister-in-law, you should not take it lightly!"

"only"

The two replied feebly, Yong'e rarely came out to play, looked at the scenery of Zhao country around, and couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "It's really a good place, I've heard that there are many swordsmanship masters here, I don't know that Zhao I haven't competed with others for a long time whether Wang's wife understands swordsmanship."

Cao Shu gritted her teeth angrily, and reprimanded these two worthless guys.

From a distance, they saw the tall and majestic Handan City.

The shock that this Handan City brings to people is really no small matter. The tall city walls and ancient style are extremely shocking. Everyone's eyes widened. Fan Qing suddenly said with some displeasure: "The king of Zhao didn't dare Welcome Your Majesty?"

And at the front of the convoy, Liu Chang was also a little suspicious. He looked at Handan City in the distance, "Ruyi didn't come to greet him?"

Lu Lu narrowed his eyes, "He probably doesn't know what we are going to do at all. Earlier, a minister of Zhao State wrote a letter, saying that Prime Minister Yuan An of Zhao evaded King Zhao, dismissed King Zhao's confidants, and installed his own cronies. Controlling Zhao Guo alone, maybe some people don't want King Zhao to know?"

Li Zuoche whispered to Liu Chang: "Jiangcheng Hou doesn't seem to like that Prime Minister Zhao very much?"

Liu Chang nodded, "Yes, when I was discussing with Yuan An in the Hall of Houde, Lu Lu came up to intervene, and Yuan An scolded him for not doing anything in politics, and then he was hated by Lu Ji to this day. As magnanimous as a widow, not as magnanimous as I am, this trivial matter has been remembered until now, and I will never forget it."

When they approached Handan City, finally, the city gate opened wide, and a large number of people emerged, swarming towards the emperor's carriage, and the leader was Zhao Wang Liu Ruyi.

Liu Ruyi looked anxious and frowned.

The two brothers met and met in various places. It didn't take long for the two to separate. Liu Ruyi just complained: "Why did you come so fast? I didn't have time to prepare, and the officials under my command were too slow. I explained earlier It’s gone down, and it hasn’t been done until now, you came too fast.”

"Haha, there is no need to prepare. I just came to see the situation in Zhao Guo. I will go south to Liang in a few days, and then return to Chang'an."

Everyone greeted each other, and Liu Chang asked curiously, "Why didn't Yuan An come?"

Liu Ruyi smiled and said, "He's at the mine."

Liu Chang walked with Liu Ruyi and drove slowly towards Handan City. Liu Ruyi regretfully talked about his preparations.

What Lu Lu heard was terrified.

"Okay, Qianlaoyan? You are going to kill my prestige, right? Don't call it Qianlaoyan, you can just call it the banquet of killing Liu Chang's fame and 70-year-old man. This 70-year-old Old men over the age of [-], unless they are as strong as the Taiwei and accompanied by an imperial doctor, who can survive such a journey? Running from various places to Handan, half of them will die, and half of them will die when they go back, and then I will die To show your benevolence and kill the elderly in the country?? Fortunately, you are not prepared properly."

Liu Ruyi was taken aback, and hurriedly explained: "My road is very flat, and it's not winter now."

"Apart from the killing feast, what else do you want to prepare?"

"I want you to see the military appearance"

"Hongmen Banquet, right? Then which Xiangzhuang do you think can dance swords to scare me, the great ancestor?"

Liu Ruyi said with some pride: "Eldest brother, I also have a warrior under my command, who is extremely powerful, but it is a pity that he was sent to Xia Kingdom by the Prime Minister. Otherwise"

"Otherwise, you can assassinate the king, right?"

"That's a pity."

Liu Chang shook his head, Lu Lu's expression was very responsible, he didn't know whether to laugh or stab King Zhao off his horse with a sword.

No wonder Yuan An didn't want to come.

These years, it seems that he is not easy.

Unknowingly, Lu Lu's dissatisfaction with Yuan An also weakened a bit, and he also felt some sympathy.

Liu Ruyi was very curious about Liu Chang's trip this time. Looking at Li Zuoche beside Liu Chang, he became even more suspicious. After learning that Li Zuoche was going to Chang'an as a sacrificial wine, he became even more excited.

"There is such a thing, why don't you come to me? My place is empty, and I can set up a new Taixue!"

"You want to set up a new Taixue?"

"There are too many wars now. The Xia Kingdom is fighting, and the Hexi Kingdom is fighting. It is actually quite appropriate to open a Taixue to teach military affairs. I was shocked when I read the newspaper a few days ago. There was a fight, and they said they were going to destroy the South. By the way, I also read in the newspaper that Xitingguo fought with Kangju people. I can understand the others, but why did Xitingguo fight with Kangju people? People fighting?? I really don’t understand.”

Liu Chang was silent for a moment.

"It's not just that you can't understand."

"Kangju people probably can't understand."

"Anyway, we won."

ps: Two updates completed!
(End of this chapter)