Zhu Nao

half a month later.

Sun Xun galloped all the way, and after running for an unknown amount of time, he finally saw the city wall in the distance—that was Chengdu.As soon as his eyes lit up, he regained his energy and whipped his horse's buttocks: "Go—"

The big horse under him ate the whip, neighed loudly, and galloped forward all the way.

After a while, Sun Xun came to the gate of the city, and he reined in his horse and stopped.

The soldiers guarding the city immediately stepped forward to stop him and asked, "Who is here?"

Sun Xun took out a token from his waist and said in a loud voice: "I am the envoy from Beijing. The imperial court sent a guard of honor to present Zhu...Zhu Yushi with a new appointment edict. The guard of honor is behind, I came early A messenger. Please go to the city to report quickly, so that the city is ready to welcome the guard of honor."

The officers and soldiers guarding the city looked at each other in a daze.

A moment later, a city guard officer asked: "There is a new appointment? Why didn't we receive the notice in advance?"

"?" Sun Xun was puzzled, "Didn't I just come to inform you in advance to prepare?"

"Ah?" asked the city guard, "Brother, which battalion are you from?"

"Which battalion am I from?" Sun Xun was even more inexplicable, "What is this mess?"

He didn't know that these officers and soldiers guarding the city gate were all Yu Changming's confidantes.It was from these officers and soldiers that the "envoy from Beijing" who came to send Zhu Nao the appointment letter of the supervisory censor more than half a year ago entered the city.The same thing happened again today, and the officers and soldiers took it for granted that Zhu Nao had some new arrangements.

Sun Xun was baffled, and the officers and soldiers were also baffled. The two sides talked about each other for a long time. Sun Xun asked the officers and soldiers to go to the city to inform the officers and soldiers that they refused to go.

The officers and soldiers asked: "Brother, where are you from? If you can't tell, we can only escort you to the officer."

Sun Xun: "..."

He simply wondered if it was because of his accent that people in Chengdu couldn't understand him at all.The question is why he understands everything the Chengdu people say? ?

Oh no, maybe he didn’t understand either, maybe the Chinese spoken in Chengdu is not the same as the Chinese spoken in Beijing.Otherwise, why did the other party keep chasing him and asking him where he came from?Didn't he just say that he was sent by the court in one sentence! !

Sun Xun took a deep breath, patiently, and repeated word by word, articulate, and correct: "I, the imperial court, sent me to appoint Zhu Yushi as Yin of Chengdu. The imperial court's The guard of honor will arrive tomorrow, please pass it on to Zhu Yushi."

The officers and soldiers were stunned for a moment, and they were all shocked: "You, are you from the imperial court?"

Sun Xun: "..." Finally understand this time?So is there any accent barrier between him and the Chengdu people?

The officers and soldiers were even more shocked: "The imperial court wants Zhu Yushi to be the Yin of Chengdu???"

Sun Xun: "..." He finally understood.It's no wonder that these officers and soldiers couldn't understand the words, it was indeed that the news was too shocking.I think he was shocked when he heard it for the first time.

The officers and soldiers who defended the city finally understood, and hurriedly checked the tokens, letters and tokens brought by Sun Xun, and made sure there was no problem, so they hurried in to report.

……

"Oh? People from the imperial court have arrived?" Zhu Nao said, "Xu Shaoyin, then you can arrange the reception. It doesn't have to be too grand, just be polite."

"Yes, Zhu Yushi." Xu Yu agreed.After a pause, he smiled again, "Master Zhu."

Unlike the officers and soldiers, he was prepared for this, so he wasn't too surprised.But having said that, in the past few months, he has actually been worried. Although he calmed down and thought about it, he realized that it was more likely that the imperial court would choose Zhu Nao between Zhu Nao and Xue Baohui.But that was out of the question after all, he was afraid that if the imperial court issued an imperial edict and agreed to Xue Baohui's plea, it would cause Zhu Nao a lot of trouble.

Now that the imperial edict finally came, and Zhu Nao justifiably took the position of Chengdu Yin, his heart was finally settled.

Xu Yu didn't start making arrangements right away, but said: "Before I came to report to the governor, I had already met the advance envoy Sun Xun and chatted with him for a while. There are two things that need to be reported to the governor. "

"Huh?" Zhu Nao asked, "What's the matter?"

Xu Yu said: "First, I asked him about the situation in Beijing, and he told me that the emperor has indeed passed away. The seven-year-old son of King Bohai has already ascended the throne. This is true."

They had already heard the rumors of the emperor's death a few days ago, but due to the long distance, there was a possibility of misinformation.Now it is confirmed by the envoys from the DPRK and China that this news should not be false.

After hearing this, Zhu Nao let out an "ah" after a while.

After a while, Zhu Nao asked, "What's the other thing?"

Xu Yu hurriedly said: "There is one more thing. Sun Xun said that when the guard of honor came because of the war, he borrowed a way from Yanzhou, but was detained by General Xie in Yanzhou. But that General Xie did not embarrass them. People escorted them into Shu, and even sent some gifts to us."

Zhu Nao raised his eyebrows, and there was a smile on his face again.He stroked his chin and said, "General Xie? That ever-victorious general Xie Wuji?"

Xu Yu hurriedly said, "Yes, that's General Xie."

Zhu Nao pressed his index finger on his lips, his eyes rolled slightly, and after a while, his smile became even wider: "Xu Shaoyin, go and prepare a great gift for me, and I will write a letter with my own hand, and we will go back together when the time comes."

Xu Yu was surprised and said: "Return to Xie Wuji? Fu Yin wants to write to him?"

"Yes." Jun Nao said cheerfully, "I have admired him for a long time, and I must write a letter to tell him."

Xu Yu: "..."

He didn't know what kind of medicine was sold in Zhu Nao's gourd, and he didn't ask in detail, he just agreed: "Okay, I'll do it. When I prepare the list of gifts, I will show it to Fu Yin."

Junao nodded: "Go."

Xu Yu got up and went out. Just as he reached the door, he heard Zhu Nao calling him again: "Xu Shaoyin."

Xu Yu stopped and turned around: "Is there anything else the governor wants?"

The smile on Zhu Nao's face when he talked about Xie Wuji just now has disappeared.He said calmly: "Xu Shaoyin, please prepare another suit for me."

Xu Yu was stunned.

=====

Qianzhou.

Xue Baohui was busy in the government office until noon, when he had almost finished his work, he was free.As soon as he was free, he couldn't sit still, and asked his subordinates, "Is there no news from the capital yet?"

The subordinate said: "Zhou Mu, no. If there is any news, the subordinates will definitely report to Zhou Mu immediately."

Xue Bao let out a frustrated "tsk": "It's been two months, and it's time to walk back. What the hell are those bastards doing?"

His subordinates quickly comforted him and said: "Don't be impatient, the state shepherd. Didn't there be news a few days ago that the emperor had passed away? I'm afraid it was because of the national mourning that all the affairs of the court were delayed. Wait for the state shepherd's appointment edict for a while. will come."

Xue Baohui is still very confident that he can be appointed as Chengdu Yin.Firstly, his family background is much higher than that of Zhu Nao, and he knows the rules of the officialdom very well, so this official position must belong to him; Calling him makes him feel that this matter is like getting something out of a pocket, and there will be no mistakes.

Thinking about the situation when he was appointed Yin of Chengdu, Xue Baohui couldn't wait any longer: "Then Liu Buxing refused to send troops until today, and found a lot of excuses, isn't it because he is afraid that I will not be able to achieve great things in the future? I Let's see what his expression will be when I get my appointment letter... Ha!"

……

"General, General!"

Liu Buxing was making tea in the tent when the military marshal under him who was in charge of inquiring news rushed in.While refilling the tea, he asked, "Run in such a hurry, what happened?"

The military officer panted and said: "General, the guard of honor of the imperial court has entered, entered Shu, and is here to announce the appointment of the new, new Chengdu Yin!"

"Oh?" Although Liu Buxing was prepared, he was somewhat surprised when he heard the news, "It's here so soon? Then Xue Baohui still has some connections."

As he spoke, he took a sip from his teacup.

"It's not Xue Zhoumu!" The military waiter said anxiously, "It's Zhu Yushi! The imperial court has promoted Zhu Yushi to Chengdu Yin!!"

"puff……!!"

The tea that Liu Buxing just drank sprayed the military officer's head and face in an instant, and he spilled more than half of the tea in the cup with trembling hands.

"Zhu Nao?? The imperial court appointed Zhu Nao?? To be the Yin of Chengdu???" Liu Buxing's eyes were round, and he didn't even know how to wipe the water on his body.

"It's true!" The military marquis hurriedly explained, "The news that the guard of honor was going to Chengdu came the day before yesterday. I also thought it was fake, so I sent a few scouts to Chengdu to investigate, and I was going to find out the truth before coming to the general. Report. But the spies I sent to the capital just now came back and said that the imperial court has issued an announcement that the new Chengdu Yin is really Zhu Yushi!"

Liu Buxing was dumbfounded.

He couldn't come back to his senses for a while, and couldn't believe it was real.For a long time, he murmured: "You, you let the spies who came back from Beijing come to see me."

The Marquis was about to turn around and go out, but Liu Buxing called him again: "Wait! You go and call Jia Cong and Xu Zhuben together."

……

After a while, Tanzi, Jia Cong, and Xu Zhuben all entered the army tent.

The spies came back from the capital and uncovered a notice, which clearly stated that the imperial court appointed Zhu Nao as Chengdu Yin, and several huge official stamps were stamped on it. This matter cannot be faked at all.

Xu Zhuben was also dumbfounded when he heard the news, he snatched the notice and read it back and forth several times. If there were no witnesses and material evidence, he would suspect that this was also a good show arranged by Zhu Nao.

Liu Buxing paced back and forth anxiously in the military tent: "How could this be? How could this be? How could it be Zhu Nao?"

Only Jia Cong stood aside calmly, not surprised.

Liu Buxing turned around, saw the calm Jia Cong, and asked unsteadily, "You, why aren't you surprised?"

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, it suddenly sounded that it was Jia Cong who proposed that Xue Baohui wrote a letter to the court to ask for his order because of his famous teacher. He was shocked and said, "Could it be that you have expected it a long time ago?"

Jia Cong lowered his head humbly: "This subordinate did not expect it. It's just that the matter has already happened. After thinking about it, this subordinate feels that the court's move is very reasonable, so I am not surprised."

"Reasonable??" Liu Buxing asked incredulously, "How is it reasonable? Why is it reasonable??"

Before Jia Cong had time to explain, Xu Zhuben on the side hastily interjected: "General, the eunuchs in the court have always been greedy for money. Zhu Nao must have sent people to buy off the eunuchs with a lot of money, so there is such an absurd appointment!"

When such a thing happened, Xu Zhuben was afraid that Jia Cong would rob him of his limelight, so he hurriedly started to make up for it.

Liu Buxing looked suspiciously at Xu Zhuben, then at Jia Cong: "Is that so?"

Jia Cong lowered his head and said, "Maybe... yes."

Liu Buxing couldn't think of any other possibility, so he accepted the reason.Thinking about it carefully, it is true that even though Xue Baohui had a good background, he only governed Qianzhou and didn't have much money in his hands.Zhu Nao governs the entire Chengdu mansion, how can Xue Baohui compare in wealth?It can only be that Zhu Nao spent a lot of money to bribe the eunuch.

He scratched his head and asked, "Then what should we do now?"

Xu Zhuben rolled his eyes and didn't dare to say anything.

Jia Cong said unhurriedly: "General, since the imperial court has officially appointed Zhu Nao as the Yin of Chengdu, he has taken over both in name and in actual power. If we still insist on sending troops to fight against him, the chances of winning may be too small. .”

Liu Buxing nodded: "Yes, yes."

Although he didn't like Jun Nao before, he actually had a little bit of concern, worried that Jun Nao would be stronger than he thought, so he stayed put.Now that his worries have become a reality, he is even less likely to send troops.

Jia Cong said: "I suggested to the general that he killed Xuezhou Mu, robbed Qianzhou of grain, went south to Gui and Liu to recruit troops and buy horses, and build bases for a long-term plan. It's not too late now."

Liu Buxing frowned in confusion, waved his hands and said, "No, no, Gui and Liu are poor places, and the miasma is pervasive all the year round. I don't want to go to that kind of place unless I really have nowhere to go."

He is currently in Qianzhou, and it is not a problem to rely on the support of the Qianzhou government to be popular and drink spicy food.But if you really want to go south to the barren land, you can't eat the delicious ones, and you can't drink the spicy ones. It is estimated that all living expenses have to be made by yourself.Unless it's for escape, what's the purpose of hiding in that kind of place?

Xu Zhu had already figured out Liu Buxing's attitude, so when the time came for him to play, he hurriedly said, "General, I have a clever plan."

Liu Buxing hurriedly said, "Say it quickly."

Xu Zhuben said: "Right now, Zhu Nao has been formally conferred the title of Yin of Chengdu by the imperial court, and the general sent troops to attack him again. It is true that some people come from unknown sources. We might as well go and join him."

Liu Buxing was taken aback: "Huh? Go to him?"

Xu Zhuben continued: "Yes. Think about it, General. Xue Zhoumu took the initiative to write a letter to ask for orders, but the court ignored him. It can be seen that Xue's family is indeed in decline, and Xue Bao's ashes are useless. The general might as well take his head and dedicate it to him. Zhu Nao made a gift. Right now, the Chengdu government is short of soldiers, and the general took five thousand elite soldiers to join him, so Zhu Nao couldn't be happier?"

Liu Buxing thought about it, nodded again and again, and obviously thought it was a good idea.In fact, his plan all along was to find a competent and promising civil servant to cooperate with.After all, he needs a reliable government to provide him with supplies, so that he can support so many soldiers under him.He didn't choose Junao at the beginning, but he didn't see Junao's future.In fact, as long as you can let go of your prejudice against Junao's background, now it seems that this is indeed a good choice.

Seeing Liu Buxing nodding his head, Xu Zhuben gave Jia Cong a smug look first, and said while the iron was hot: "Now Zhu Nao has only 5000 people under his command. I heard that his officers are all selected from bandits and refugees. Isn't that true?" Are you messing around? Those people know how to lead troops? After the general goes, the general will become the biggest military officer in Sichuan. At that time, he can even use the excuse of helping Zhu Nao to train his soldiers. Wait until The military power is in the hands of the general, so if Jun Nao is obedient and capable, he will be kept. If he is disobedient, kill him and replace him with another."

Liu Buxing was overjoyed to hear that.yes!Originally, the purpose of his hooking up with Xue Baohui was also to occupy the land of Shu. If he joined forces with Zhu Nao to occupy the land of Shu without having to fight, that would be great!

At that moment, he had already decided in his heart to adopt Xu Zhuben's suggestion.Why go to Liuzhou, Guizhou?Don't want the Land of Abundance, but go to the barren land to open up wasteland, isn't it full of food?

However, he also has concerns: "If I really go to seek refuge with Jun Nao, will Jun Nao be willing to accept me? I have been stationed here for so long, and he should know that I originally wanted to send troops to fight him."

Xu Zhuben said: "Hasn't the general sent troops yet? Just put everything on Xue Baohui, say that he was bewitched by Xue Baohui earlier, or simply say that he was lurking in Qianzhou to see through Xue Baohui." Baohui's trick is to help Zhu Yushi eradicate the disaster. As long as Xue Baohui's head is offered, why doesn't Zhu Yushi accept it?"

Liu Buxing thought to himself, now all the princes are recruiting troops, and his 5000 troops will be popular no matter where they go.Even if there had been quarrels before, there was no reason for Zhu Nao to reject the five thousand troops. ——This matter can be preserved!

He glanced at Jia Cong again, and asked, "Staff Jia, what do you think?"

Jia Cong lowered his head and said respectfully: "This subordinate thinks it's feasible."

Liu Buxing nodded in satisfaction.This Jia Cong is sometimes very smart, and sometimes he is bizarrely stupid.Just like just now, the great Chengdu Mansion ignored him and forced him to go to Guiliu, which is simply inexplicable.

Now that the two staff members have agreed, Liu Buxing himself has a satisfactory plan, so without any further delay, he immediately said: "Quickly, order me down, order a thousand troops to enter Qianzhou, and take down the man surnamed Xue." Human head! This is Lao Tzu's vote, don't let him run away!"

All the people ran out of the camp and hurriedly ordered soldiers.

No one saw that Jia Cong walked last, shaking his head slightly, a strange smile appeared on his face, which was fleeting.