[Comprehensive] Feasibility report on the restoration of the country

In October of the ninth year of Yuanyou, Murong Fu discussed with Zhang Yu and others about the proper return to Beijing to report victory, and decided that Zhe Keshi, Zhong Shidao, and the two would lead the Yanyan Army and the Zhenrong Army with [-] meritorious soldiers. Murong Fu and Zong Ze set off to return to the capital together.

In mid-October, Murong Fu and his party took the heads of the Empress Dowager Xia and the emperor, some of the captive clan, Xia Guo ritual vessels, fish scale albums, etc., and marched towards the capital along the Luoshui River.It was because the return to Beijing this time was only to repay the merits with great fanfare, so Murong Fu and the others did not move fast.Instead, the memorial to inform the officials that they were about to return to Beijing was sent to the capital early so that the Ministry of Rites could arrange the etiquette process for the army to enter the city as soon as possible.

However, not long after the group set off, Murong Fu said that he had a personal matter to attend to, and left the army with his foreign bodyguard, Tai Shan.It was not until more than a month later that Zhong Shidao met Murong Fu in Hezhong Mansion.

Upon receiving the news of Murong Fu's return, Zhong Shidao rushed to meet him in the back hall of the Hezhong government office.At that time, Murong Fufang took a bath and changed clothes. Although he was exhausted from the journey, he still seemed to be in good spirits.Noticing that Murong Fu was finally not brought back this time, Zhong Shidao was obviously relieved, so he asked curiously: "Why have you been away for more than a month, what is it that you are in such a hurry to do?"

Murong Fu, who was sitting behind the desk looking through the correspondence, only looked up at Zhong Shidao when he heard the words, and smiled without saying a word.

It was Zhong Shidao who stared at Murong Fu for a while, and suddenly sniffed his nose vigilantly. "There seems to be something...wrong?" He looked around, and finally turned his eyes back to Murong Fu's face for a closer look. "You seem... in a much better mood? What happened to make you so happy?"

"Good thing!" Murong Fu's face was refreshed.He stretched out his thumb and wiped his lips heavily, like a lazy leopard reminiscing about the big meal it just had, so proud and satisfied. "Once a long-cherished wish comes true, I will never worry about it again!...I should have done this long ago, but I wasted so many years in vain! How stupid!"

Naturally, Zhong Shidao couldn't imagine what Murong Fu had been doing for more than a month, so he just frowned at him for a while, his face full of doubts.

And Murong Fu obviously didn't want to say more, but asked instead: "Is there any news from the imperial court?"

Speaking of this, Zhong Shidao was also very happy, and hurriedly said: "I just got the news that Zhang Dun rejected the third imperial edict from the government." The court invited three times and Zhang Dun refused three times. This is the fourth time.

"As expected!" Murong Fu nodded and said coldly. "Now that the Shu Party has crushed the Kingdom of Xia, the only way for the New Party to stand up is to suppress Khitan. Zhang Dun? Or stay in the place and continue to host "Pucheng Wind and Rain"!"

"There is also news from Mr. Su that the Ministry of Rituals has decided that the army will enter the city through the Daqing Gate. The officials will receive the prisoners in the Taimiao, and the banquet will be placed in the Shengping Building. As for the rituals and music..."

"Stop! Stop!" Although this time Zhao Xu and Murong Fu had a rare tacit understanding that they did not want to engage in the ceremony of presenting prisoners, but their opinions did not represent the opinions of all officials and common people.In fact, it is obviously unreasonable not to offer prisoners once when the Great Song Ping destroyed the Xia Kingdom. "So you still want to sacrifice prisoners?"

"Of course!" Zhong Shidao nodded briskly, "Although the Empress Dowager Xia and the emperor are dead, there are still many clans, and one hundred and eighty party captives will be enough! Then you will be in the Daqing Hall What an honor it is to present the Xia Kingdom Ritual Vessels and the Fish Scale Atlas to the officials together?"

Murong Fu also knew that it was the honor of a warrior's life to pay off his victory and present his victory to the Taimiao, so he didn't say any more, just resigned himself to his fate and asked, "When is the date?"

"Zhengdan Dachao!" Zhong Shidao replied seriously.Every year in the Zhengdan Dynasty, envoys from various countries will come to congratulate them. Offering prisoners at this time can also deter dissidents.

"What about the reward?" Murong Fu asked again.

Speaking of the most important thing, Zhong Shidao let out a long sigh and shook his head slightly.When Di Qing quelled the rebellion of Mannong Zhigao in Guangyuan Prefecture, Emperor Renzong promoted him to be a deputy envoy.Now that the Western Army has destroyed the Xia Kingdom, the credit is naturally far greater than that of Di Qing.However, Zhao Xu was far more stingy than Emperor Renzong, and he was unwilling to accept Su Zhe's invitation to award meritorious officials.

"Understood. If that's the case, then make the momentum to return to Beijing as big as possible!" Murong Fu nodded expressionlessly, obviously not paying attention to Zhao Xu's dying struggle.In just a few words, he already had a comprehensive publicity plan in his mind.

In the following month, the [-] meritorious soldiers who accompanied Murong Fu enjoyed the same treatment as the people's soldiers who returned from the earthquake relief work in later generations.Whenever they pass by a place, the local people will flock to cheer for them, and the running water banquet for celebrating and toasting can be lined up from the gate of the city all the way out of the city. up.

If this is just an appetizer, then a cultural performance in Henan Province is an authentic Manchu banquet.After many years, today's Jinlefang is no longer a small pear garden, but represents the top artistic level in the Song Dynasty.A cultural performance covering various performance forms such as songs, dances, operas, hundred plays, and sketches not only opened the eyes of the soldiers, but also raised the enthusiasm of the people to support the army to the highest peak.At the end of the performance, many military songs that are also popular in later generations have begun to be sung in the streets and alleys.At the same time, the number of civilians who spontaneously came to the camp to work as soldiers also reached a new high.This kind of enthusiasm and love has never been obtained by the soldiers of the Song Dynasty, and this kind of respect and admiration should belong to them.

Received this kind of preferential treatment, even if he was calm and comfortable, he couldn't help but burst into tears behind others, and he couldn't help but look up at Murong Fu and sigh: "Protect the family and the country, protect the family and the country... Even though the court has never said anything, but Looking at them, I think it's worth it!"

When he said this, Murong Fu was leading a large army to station outside Henan Mansion.Their original plan was to stay in Henan Mansion for three days, and then set off for Bianjing after the Henan prefect prepared the food and grass for the last journey.But when yesterday's cultural performance ended, the army garrison was surrounded by an endless stream of laborers and civilians.The people spontaneously sent a lot of food and money, begging the soldiers to accept them.However, both the Yanyan Army and the Zhenrong Army have strict military discipline, so naturally they dare not take things from the people at will.The two sides rejected it, which attracted more onlookers, who praised the soldiers one after another.The two pawns who were in charge of standing guard in front of the camp had obviously never experienced such a scene. They dared to fight to the death in the face of fierce party members, but in the face of these enthusiastic people, they blushed and were at a loss. I wish I could dig a hole and get in.Zhe Keshi has excellent eyesight, and seeing the scene at the Yuanmen Gate from a distance of several zhang, he can't help but feel hot inside. He only feels that he has fought for the country in this life, and even if he dies in battle in the future, he will have no regrets.

When the army walked to Henan Mansion, it was not far from Bianjing.However, there is still no news about what kind of reward regulations the imperial court made for the great achievements of the Western Army this time.As for politics, when all kinds of news are known to the world, the overall situation is usually settled.For example, the Western Army defeated the Xia Kingdom this time, and the imperial court should give various rewards to the meritorious officials.The ordinary people can only know the final reward decision of the court at the prisoner offering ceremony, but for Murongfu, Zhe Keshi, Zhong Shidao and other parties, they should have known what they will get before the prisoner offering ceremony. treatment.And until today, there is no news from the imperial court, obviously the officials are still dissatisfied with the Western Army.

Hearing Zhe Keshi's words, Murong Fu hurriedly comforted him: "I have received a notice from the Ministry of Rites, asking us to station outside Bianjing City and enter the city on the day of the Zhengdan Dynasty. There is still half a month before the Zhengdan Dynasty , When we arrive in Bianjing, I will present a memorial to request an interview with the officials."

Zhe Keshi heard the words but just shook his head with a wry smile. "I understand the intentions of the officials. He did not preside over the Western Army's destruction of the Xia Kingdom this time. He believed that we robbed him of his achievements. As long as we survive the prisoner offering ceremony, can we still force him to do so afterward?" Does he want a reward?"

It has to be said that this time Zhao Xu's thoughts were too obvious, even a pure general like Zhe Keshi could see it.He is the king, and others are ministers. The so-called favor comes from above. If he kills him, he will not be rewarded. If a minister is too persecuted, his reputation and loyalty will be damaged.However, Zhao Xu's sudden success has ruined a century-old foundation. Is it the behavior of a gentleman not to reward those who have made great achievements?In doing so, he was simply forcing the courtiers to separate themselves from him.

Zhao Xu could do whatever he wanted, but Murong Fu knew very well that if the soldiers didn't get rewards for their extraordinary achievements, their blood would be so cold.Seeing that Zhe Keshi was a little discouraged, Murong Fu immediately said: "The "Bianjing Times" published an editorial on the Great Victory that has been reprinted ten times, and starting tomorrow, Jinlefang will also launch a national tour. No one knows. No matter how confused the officials are, the ministers of the Zhengshitang will not be confused with him."

In Zhe Keshi's eyes, the official family is certainly a wonderful thing, but this Murong Fu is no different.As a civil servant, Murong Fu not only did not guard against being hostile to military generals, but has been working hard to improve the status of military generals in the hearts of the people.Thinking of the songs sung by Jinlefang during the performance yesterday, Zhe Keshi couldn't help asking: "Lord Murong, why aren't you afraid that our military generals group will make great achievements?" Zhe Keshi still remembered the fate of General Di back then. still fresh.The officials refused to confer rewards this time, will there be some people in the Zhengshitang who have the same idea as the officials? ——This, Zhekeshi dare not say.

When Murong Fu heard the words, he replied with a straight face: "I have always opposed civil officials to guard against contempt for military commanders. Confucius said that there is no distinction between teaching and learning. If it is said that military people do not know loyalty, then you should teach them loyalty; In my opinion, those civil servants are no worse than warriors. Civil servants, herdsmen, and military generals are indispensable to defend the country. Looking at the root causes of military disasters in the past dynasties, most of them are not because the status of warriors is too high, but just the opposite, forcing people to rebel! Now that the Western Army has defeated the Xia Kingdom and made an indomitable contribution, I just take this opportunity to elevate the status of warriors. General, you deserve this, so you don’t need to be flattered.”

In the Song Dynasty, military generals like Di Qing and Zhe Keshi who were gentle, modest, and non-aggressive met the usual aesthetic standards of civil servants, while generals like Zhong Er, who were vigorous and powerful, were really unpopular.But in the army, there must be a little blood.All in all, Murong Fu would rather these officers and men have their nostrils turned upside down and think that Lao Tzu is number one in the world, rather than see them timid and feel inferior when they see officials.

But Murong Fu didn't know that what he said was so eloquent that he couldn't help it, Zhe Keshi turned his head and wiped his face indiscriminately, suddenly the whole suit of clothes bowed deeply to Murong Fu. "Lord Murong, the future of us warriors depends entirely on you!" After finishing speaking, he didn't wait for Murong Fu's response, and hurried out with red eyes.

Five days later, the [-] meritorious soldiers of the Yanyan Army and the Zhenrong Army, who refused to take the common people's stitches and stitches, finally managed to get rid of the enthusiasm of the people in Henan Province and rushed to station outside Bianjing City to wait for orders.

In the next few days, Murong Fu asked to see the officials almost every day, but there was no reply from the palace.Until three days before the prisoner presenting ceremony, the Ministry of Rites sent officials to point out the various procedures that Murong Fu should pay attention to during the prisoner presenting ceremony. Zhai Manfang, who was also a member of the Shu Party and was the same year as Murong Fu, found an opportunity to inform Murong Fu. "Ever since Jin Lefang went to Henan Province to give condolences to the laborers, the officials said they were sick. Akashi, you have caused too much trouble. Isn't this against the officials?"

Murong Fu was flipping through Su Zhe's copy of the memorial to reward the Western Army, and when he heard Zhai Man convey that the official was ill, he just sneered and said casually, "Ill? So maybe the prisoner will show up on the day?"

Zhai Man saw that Murong Fu was so clueless, he immediately shook his head in hatred. "What an honor it is to present captives in the Taimiao? How could the officials not show up? The officials are using the excuse of being sick, and they have been holding on to the memorial that the teacher agreed to reward you and refused to approve it!" Zhai Man was originally an official, and he was appreciated and trained by Su Che. official career.During the imperial examination in the eighth year of Yuanfeng, Murong Fu was the Tanhua, but Zhai Man was the number one scholar.Not long after high school, Zhai Man worshiped Su Zhe as his teacher. He and Murong Fu were not only in the same year, but also from the same school. Naturally, their relationship was extraordinary, and the words were more direct.

Murong Fu was still unmoved, and only wondered: "Uncle Shi wants to recommend me as a privy envoy?" It turned out that Su Zhe's memorandum stated that Jin Murongfu was a privy envoy and Zhang Wei was a young security guard. Jiedushi, the rest of the people have their own rewards, not to mention.

"Back then, Di Wuxiang was promoted to the Deputy Privy Councilor for quelling the civil strife, so you will naturally be rewarded more than General Di for recovering the lost land." Zhai Man saw that Murong Fu was always calm and calm, and suddenly felt that the emperor was not in a hurry and the eunuch was not in a hurry. He said angrily, "But what's the use of this? The officials won't approve it!"

"Don't worry, Brother Zhai, he will approve it." Murong Fu seemed to be very satisfied with Su Zhe's memorabilia, and said meaningfully. "The official is sick, that's good..."

Zhai Man looked at Murong Fu in surprise.He was clearly smiling, but the coldness in his eyes made Zhai Man shiver for no reason.Zhai Mandeng kept silent, but he had clearly realized in his heart that there might be a good show in the prisoner offering ceremony three days later.

The author has something to say:

Murong: The official family is sick, that's fine...

Zhao Xu: Murong Fu, what do you mean!

Murong: Save land and get in the way!