The dream of a lonely hero

Zhao Guangmei's irritable mood calmed down a little, but he became angry again at his words, and shouted:"Fan Teng is a tiger! I was a thief in Jizhou, extremely cruel. In order to avenge my father, I cut open the heart and liver of my enemy to sacrifice to my father's tomb. I fled to the end of the world and was later killed." King Yue's father-in-law, Fu Tianjun Wang Jinduo, ordered the king to take you in and recommend him to the palace of King Gu. If the king hadn't been out of favor with his father-in-law, he would have kicked you out! Now King Gu is planning to discuss with all the advisers, but you don't know how high the sky is and how high you are. , there are no rules, and the prince's face has been lost to you!"

Fan Tenghu returned depressed.

A royal official hurriedly ran into the main hall and said:"I'm reporting to your highness! Prince Futian is seriously ill. He sent his servants to ask your highness to go quickly and tell him something important."

Zhao Guangmei was irritable and said:"Oh! It's all a matter of fact. It's all a matter of course! Qiao Lian, Wang Jian, Zhao Qiong, and Yan Zhong will go with the lonely king." Then he ordered his servants to change his clothes and go to the palace of Prince Futian.

Zhang Duo, the military envoy of Zhenning Army under the command of Wang Jinduo of Futian County, was the third contributor to the founding of the Song Dynasty. In the first year of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty rewarded him for his contribution to Yidai and named him Marquis of Yu, the capital of the Ma Bu Army, the bodyguards and pro-army, and became the deputy chief of the bodyguards and pro-army department. The following year, Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty released his military power over a glass of wine, and Zhang Duo was dismissed from his post as guard of the pro-army Ma Bujun Du Yuhou, and became the military envoy of the Zhenning Army. In order to show that he and Zhang Lingduo"share wealth and honor", Song Taizu married Zhang Duo's third daughter for his younger brother Zhao Guangmei. Zhang Duo became Song Taizu's in-laws after Gao Huaide. Zhang Duo was ordered to leave the town and return to Beijing to recuperate. For three to five days, he felt that the sun was fading and there was not much time left, so he hurriedly asked his son-in-law, Fangjun Wang Zhao Guangmei, to come and see him.

Zhao Guangmei entered the palace of the Prince of Futian County, and was led by the palace officials through the hall. From time to time, he came to the bedside of Zhang Duo, the commander of the Futian County Prince Jin Duoling Wang Zhenning and Ningjun Jiedushi, and bowed and saluted. Zhao Guangmei's entourage Qiao Lian, Wang Jian, Zhao Qiong and Yan Zhong stood outside the house.

Zhang Duo was in his sixties, with an earth-colored face. He lay on his side on the bed and ordered the maids and servants around him to retreat. Zhang Duo's eyes were sunken and his breath was like a gossamer, and he said:"Your Highness, come here." Zhao Guangmei sat on the edge of the bed and said:"My father-in-law, please do not address me as your highness. My son-in-law listens to your father-in-law's teachings."

Zhang Duo said:"I am about to be buried. There's something

I can't let go of." Zhao Guangmei said:"Don't worry, Mr. Yue Zhang, you have gone through hundreds of battles, and this minor illness will be cured in a few days."

Zhao Duo said:"Wen Wen (Zhao Guangmei's word) doesn't need to be comforted.! I can’t let you go!"

Zhao Guangmei looked at him and said,"My father-in-law, my son-in-law is unworthy, and I’m causing you to worry about me!"

Zhang Duo said,"You—you are young and impetuous, and you are not like a man who has passed his thirties.. Zhao Guangyi is very scheming, and you - you are no match. Kong Changzheng, the descendant of Confucius, who is close to you, Pei Zhongzai, the eighth generation grandson of Tang Xiang Yaoqing, the eighth grandson of Tang Xiang Yaoqing, the former prime minister, the prince, Taishi, Duke of Qi, Wang Pu Nephews, the number one scholar Zuo Si Jian Xue Qizhi, the number two right Si Jian Jia Yizhong, Jin Shi Fang Langzhong Qian Keshui, Jin Shi Shi Yushi Lu Renlang, collectively known as the"Bianliang Eight Yan"; these seven are just the flow of talkers and calligraphers, Hao Shou Qiong Jing, although there are thousands of words in the pen, there is really no strategy in my mind. I can only give you a facade. Where is the talent for helping the world? Li Mu, the long history of your family, is just a white-faced scholar. Yan Ju, Sun Yu, and Zhang Ping are all They are generals. Yan Huaizhong, Wang Jixun, and Fan Deming are all incompetent people, and you can't count on them. Fan Tenghu and Zhao Huailu are from humble backgrounds, and you sneer at them, but they are loyal people! Ahem! Look at which dynasty and which generation founded the country. How can generals and generals who do not come from the grassland be able to help the world economically?"

Zhao Guangmei pondered for a moment and said,"I hope Lao Taishan can give me some advice."

Zhang Duo said,"I gave you some advice the year before last. You are looking for a genius, Fan Yong, whose courtesy name is Minghe. He was originally the watchman of Zhao Guangyi's house. I saw that he was not an ordinary person, so I exchanged him for a native dog from Zhao Guangyi's house. His intelligence is as good as that of the Sui Dynasty. He Jiqiang Lu Jia, then Zhao Guangyi is really short-sighted!" Then he ordered his subordinates to invite Fan Yong to see him.

Not long after, a man in his sixties came in. He was slender, energetic, and had a godly beard.

Zhang Duo said:"Wen Hua quickly greet Mr. Minghe."

Zhao Guangmei bowed.

Zhang Duo scolded:"Hey! How can Wenhua be so indifferent to Mr. Minghe? You have to treat Mr. Minghe as a teacher."

Zhao Guangmei stood up in a hurry and bowed deeply to Fan Yongna.

Fan Yong quickly turned sideways and bowed in return, saying:"I don't dare to accept it! I've met Your Highness before."

Zhang Duo said:"Minghe is well-deserved! Culture, I will leave it to you." Fan Yong hurriedly kowtowed and said:"I have entrusted you with my kindness, my dear. I dare you not to dedicate yourself to your whole life!"

Zhang Duo showed a smile of relief on his face, and then summoned the commander of the right squad of the Golden Spear Squadron of the Forbidden Army School Yuhou Yuchiling, the commander in front of the palace Huangfu Ming, and the commander of the left squad of the inner palace. Yuhou Fang Zhonglin and Yulong Bow and Arrow went straight to Yuhou Huiyan Zhen to see him.

Zhang Duo said:"Wenhua, I leave it to you!"

Yuchiling, Huangfuming, Fang Zhonglin, and Hui Yanzhen kowtowed hurriedly and said:"We all followed the old king Ling to crawl out from the pile of dead people. Ling Wang Junyu We will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

The next day, Wang Jinduo of Futian County ordered Wang Zhenning's military commander Zhang Duo to return to the west. The funeral was very grand. Emperor Zhao Kuangyin sent his confidant eunuchs into the palace to serve Dou Tong. Everyone in the province knew about Dou Tong. , Zhang Qing, the Imperial Guard and Provincial Supervisor, entered to express condolences, and officials from both the government and the public came to pay their respects. Zhang Qing, who entered the imperial palace and became a eunuch, was Yan Yun's Meiyuan sworn brother as mentioned above. How he entered the palace and became a eunuch will be explained later, so I won't tell you for now.

After the mourning period for Zhang Duo, the military envoy of the Ning Army, King Jinduo of Futian County passed, Fan Yong, the"Mr. Tujie", entered the palace of Fang County and became Zhao Guangmei's counselor. One day, Zhao Guangmei and Fan Yong were talking in the back hall.

Zhao Guangmei was at a loss what to do and paced back and forth, saying:"Zhao Guangyi made great achievements in Zhangzhou and was awarded the title of King of Jin. It won't be long before he goes to Beijing. When he resumes his official position, Prince Yin Jing will be the crown prince! What should I do? What should I do? ?"

Fan Yong said:"It's nothing to worry about."

Zhao Guangmei couldn't believe his ears and said in surprise:"It's nothing to worry about!" He said eagerly,"Sir, the plan is about to be settled!"

Fan Yong said tepidly:"Your Highness, please be patient. Chaos! What else is Zhao Guangyi besides a prince now?"

Zhao Guangmei said:"The governor of Zhangzhou."

Fan Yong said:"The governor of Zhangzhou is also a sixth-grade foreign official, is he a prince? He is indeed noble, but he has no real power.——"

Zhao Guangmei hurriedly interrupted him and said:"What if he returns to Beijing and Yinjing (to take charge of Kaifeng Mansion in Kyoto)?"

Fan Yong said:"Your Highness has a good question! Your Highness does not want him to return to Beijing and Yinjing. Can Your Highness have any control over this matter?" ? His Zhangzhou meritorious service only made him the King of Jin. Why hasn’t he returned to Beijing for so long?"

Zhao Guangmei said:"Why?"

Fan Yong said:"Not only does His Highness not want him to return to Beijing quickly, but also the official family."

Zhao Guangmei said:"The official family ?"

Fan Yong said:"Exactly. Zhao Guangyi has been in charge of Kaifeng Mansion for more than ten years, and his roots are deep. His gang members are all over the capital. How can the officials not take precautions?"

Zhao Guangmei said:"My younger brother, Prince, has been away from home for a long time, and he is a sixth-grade official. , this will never last long."

Fan Yong said:"Yes! In my humble opinion: the officials are also thinking about how to place this ambitious younger brother."

Zhao Guangmei said:"Oh! How to place him?"

Fan Yong said:"The officials are letting the family go. Zhao Guangyi, but will not let him be idle. Your Highness might as well give him a chance to make contributions. Tomorrow, he will ask the officials to appoint Jin Wang Zhao Guangyi as the commander of the camp in front of the mountain. Youyun Sixteen Prefectures."

Zhao Guangmei said:"What if he really succeeds?"

Fan Yong was confident, smiled slightly, and said:"Impossible! Zhao Guangyi loves to command soldiers, but he has no talent in generals. He led General Zhou Ying, Dai Xing, Wang Neng, Zhang Ning, Lu Bin, Zhang Xu, etc. were all brave men; the civil servant Jia Su followed the rules and was cautious; Chai Yuxi was eloquent and rhetorical; Song Qi, Lu Ping, Zhang Xun, and Liu Ao recited poems and poems in white; Liu Chang wanted money to be the governor, Yang Shouyi did fortune-telling, Zhao Rong danced and wrote, and An Xi was a sensual dog and horse; besides, the horse and infantry troops of the thirteen counties in front of the mountain were all a ragtag group of local Xiang armies, and the expedition and decisive battle formations were by no means comparable to the Forbidden Army. Furthermore, what he faced was You. The tiger and wolf warriors of the Yunliao Kingdom are driving sheep to devour tigers. How can Zhao Guangyi be undefeated?"

Zhao Guangmei was still a little confused.

Fan Yong said:"Your Highness is not at ease. If you try to get a position deployed by the capital of Yingzhou from the officials, the food and grass for the horse infantry of the thirteen counties in the front of the mountain will be supplied by Yingzhou. The war will only be about money and food. Even if Zhao Guangyi wins by chance, your Highness will still be able to win." All kinds of excuses are used to cut off his food and grass, and it is difficult for Zhao Guangyi to remain undefeated."

Zhao Guangmei thought for a moment and said,"Will the officials play it accurately?"

Fan Yong said,"The officials are waiting! One is to frustrate Zhao Guangyi's energy, and the other is to test The truth and falsehood of the Liao Kingdom's side court; Zhao Guangyi's defeat is also expected by the officials, and he will lose the bargaining chip for his restoration." Then he took out the memorial drafted for Zhao Guangmei in advance,"Please read it, your highness, and make a copy if you can. I will report it to the officials tomorrow morning."

Zhao Guangmei was impressed by Fan Yong's foresight and even more admired his father-in-law Zhang Duo's vision for recognizing talents. Zhao Guangmei finished copying the memorial at his desk, dried the ink, and said:"Sir, the strategizing skills are profound and far-sighted, and Liangping is no better than him. He is really the talent of Wang Zuo!"

Fan Yong said:"Your Highness, you are too complimentary! I am old and vulgar, and I am old and useless. I have to be a Jinshi. His Highness once said:"No one who is not a Jinshi can enter our house." It is enough for an old man to make a living in front of His Highness."

Zhao Guangmei heard the implication and said with an apology on his face:"Mr. How can a scholar of classics and a Jinshi compare! Having a gentleman alone is like King Wen, Taigong and Gaozu getting a ovary, and they will have no worries from now on!"

Fan Yong said:"I really don't dare to take this position!"

The two exchanged pleasantries. Fan Yong said:"I don't know if I should speak out about my foolish opinion?"

Zhao Guangmei said:"Mr. Gu Yu is called the king, minister, master and servant, but he is actually his disciple and mentor. Sir, feel free to speak frankly!"

Fan Yong stopped being polite and said:"His Royal Highness's staff comes from a single source. There are ten bajiu scholars and noble family backgrounds who are unworthy to associate with Kusano and his ilk. However, Kusano and his ilk are not necessarily mediocre and incompetent people. They foolishly believe that recruiting civil servants and generals should be based on their ability and their ability, which is multi-layered. , select and utilize talents through multiple channels and multiple spaces, and do not rely on family background. As Ju Laosen knows, Fan Tenghu, who was"ill to retain filial piety" the year before last, recommended Li Pin,"Langli Hulu" and"Tiebei Hulu" of the Crocodile Gang Qiu Bing,"Handi Hulu" Cao Qing, and"Chudong Hulu" Gong Feng, His Highness kicked them out in less than a year. These gangsters also have their own uses. They can do things that are difficult for white people in official circles, and They did it without anyone noticing. Last year, the prince Xima Wang Yuanji, the prince Zhongshe Wang Zhi, the warehouse official Chen Yu, the supervisory censor Lu Qiu Shun, Yi Ding Jiedu envoy Tongping Zhangshi Sun Xingzhou, Cangzhou Heng The navy's right-leading army guard general Shi Yanzuo and the Huazhou Yicheng army's right-hand Qianniuwei general Sang Jinxing were assassinated in Kyoto. It was probably the work of gangsters. I don't think it belonged to His Highness. Handwriting, right? Besides, the imperial censor Zhang Mu, Zong Zhengqing Zhao Li, staff member Li Yue, and Cai Hegang officer Wang Xun were sentenced to death when Zhao Guangyi was in charge of Kaifeng Mansion. Isn't it just corruption of ink? Are these people related to His Highness's family? Is it related?"

Zhao Guangmei thought for a long time and said:"How to recruit talented people is very true. Wang Yuanji, Wang Zhi, Chen Yu, Lu Qiu Shun, Shi Yanzuo, Sang Jinxing have nothing to do with Gu Wang, Gu's subordinate Liu Zhijin originally They wanted to recruit Sun Xingzhou from the outside vassal to his subordinates, but who would have thought that Sun Xingzhou was unruly and not only did not buy the face of the lonely king, but even the officials did not look down on him. He was very likely to raise troops to rebel. Good death! Zhang Mu, Zhao Li, Li Yue, and Wang Xun have some personal relationships with the Yuhou Wang Jixun in the palace, but they are not enough to be under the command of the lonely king."

Fan Yong frowned and fell into deep thought. Zhao Guangmei looked at him for a while and said,"Why are you so anxious, sir?"

Fan Yong said,"Is this just a fight between His Highness and the King of Jin, Zhao Guangyi? These dead people are neither His Highness's nor the King of Jin's. Who is behind this? The pond water is deeper than I thought!"

Zhao Guangmei said:"No matter who he is, the King of Jin has been expelled from the capital. This is not a favor to Gu. This is called unintentional planting of willows and willows."

Fan Yong spoke solemnly. Said:"Your Highness, you must not worry about it! Who is the person behind the scenes? Is it an enemy or a friend? You don't know anything, how can you not worry? Your Highness and the King of Jin are in the open, and it is easy to hide from open guns and hard to guard against hidden arrows!"

Zhao Guangmei had some understanding. , said:"What should we do?"

Fan Yong said:"Knowing your enemy and knowing yourself will make you safe in a hundred battles. Your Highness must not take it lightly and entrust his confidants to secretly investigate carefully. This master behind the scenes will always show up one day."

Zhao Guangmei said:"Sir, this Will the memorial be sent to Datian tomorrow?"

Fan Yong said:"Of course it must be sent, without delay!"

Besides, Zhao Guangyi of Zhangzhou was awarded the title of King of the Jin Dynasty. He was so happy that he held a banquet for more than ten days. The prefectural government office was even more lively than the Chinese New Year, and before the excitement was over, I received the appointment of the commander of the Shanqian camp, the commander of the Zhixiong prefecture government office, and the horse infantry of the thirteen prefectures in Shanqian to collect the imperial edict from Youyun sixteen prefectures. I was overjoyed and celebrated again.. Not long ago, the king of Jin Zhao Guangyi led the palace officials to the mountain to camp and deploy Xiongzhou to take office. The assistants include Jia Su, Chai Yuxi, Cen Chongxin, Cheng De, Chen Xin, Wang Yuanyou, Dai Xing, Sangzan, Yan Yun, Lu Bin, Taoist Liaoran, Ge Ba, Yuanda, Shang Feng, Wang Neng, Zhang Xu, Fu Qian , Wang Rong, Wang Xijie, Yang Mao, Mi Chao, Gao Qiong, Wang Zhao,"Hua Dao Tian Wang" Wang Haozhong,"Hua Qian Tai Sui" Wang Zhaoyu,"Golden Retriever Lion" Zhang Baoyang,"Double Hammer Competition Cao Zhang" Pei Zhongpu ,"Eight-Armed King Kong" Li Jun,"Sai Yingbu" Fu Dun Fu Sirang,"White Faced Tiger" Li Bin,"Hengjiang Iron Dragon" Geng Quanbin. Mi Chao followed Yan Yun back to the Zhao sisters, returned to Zhangzhou, and became a follower of the King of Jin on the recommendation of Yang Mao.

The King of Jin, Zhao Guangyi, had briefly served as a general of the imperial army since the founding of the Song Dynasty. In less than a year, he was promoted to the governor of Kaifeng Prefecture and never held the command of a military force again. He was very obsessed with military power. This time he was in charge of more than 100,000 soldiers and infantry troops in the thirteen counties. He was impassioned and excited. His inner excitement was beyond words. He was determined to regain the Han people's lost land in Youyun Sixteen States in one fell swoop, make great achievements, and win the crown prince. The position accumulates fame. When they arrived at Xiongzhou, they immediately passed down the command to deploy commanders in the camp before going down the mountain. They mobilized more than 100,000 troops and infantry troops from the thirteen counties in front of the mountain to gather in Xiongzhou to prepare for the attack on Bianting Tanzhou of Liao Kingdom. Xiongzhou has to support 100,000 soldiers and horses, which is obviously insufficient. One hundred thousand troops and horses have not yet set off, and the food and grass can last for ten days at most. Yan Yun was urgently ordered to go to the Yingzhou Capital Deployment Department to urge the transportation of grain and grass. Yan Yun left for three to five days without any news. Jin King Zhao Guangyi was impatient and ordered his troops to send troops to Tanzhou, planning to capture Tanzhou in three days to relieve the food shortage. He ordered Jia Su, Chai Yuxi,"Ferocious Wu Ben" Lu Bin, Cen Chongxin, Cheng De, Chen Xin, Ma Wei, Wang Yuanyou, Yang Mao and Mi Chao to lead 20,000 troops to guard Xiongzhou. Ling Renyong's deputy lieutenant"Yu Yong Jun Ke" Shang Feng was the first pioneer of Zhengyin. Beizhou Jiedu Yuan Hu, Wozhou Tuan Lian Wu Yi,"Fierce and Yong Jun Ke" Ge Ba, and"Jian Yong Jun Ke" Fu Qian The first deputy vanguard led 20,000 troops. Renyong's deputy lieutenant"Fierce Wu Ben" Dai Xing was the second line of Zhengyin pioneers, Enzhou regiment coach Wang Lu, Fanzhou regiment coach Zhu Yu,"Cao Meng Wu Ben" Wang Neng, and"Zi Meng Wu Ben" Zhang Xu were the second Deputy Lu led 20,000 troops. Wang Rong and Wang Xijie commanded 10,000 troops and rear.

King Zhao Guangyi of the Jin Dynasty led the governor of Bazhou, Wang Fangcai,"the brave military guest" Sangzan, Yuanda, Chen Congbao, Gao Qiong, Wang Zhao,"the king of flower swords" Wang Haozhong,"the flower gun Tai Sui" Wang Zhaoyu, and the"golden retriever lion" Zhang Baoyang,"Two Hammers Sai Cao Zhang" Pei Zhongpu,"Eight-Armed King Kong" Li Jun,"Sai Yingbu" Fu Dun Fu Sirang,"White Faced Tiger" Li Bin,"Hengjiang Iron Dragon" Geng Quanbin led an army of 50,000. Chinese army. They were mighty and murderous, rushing towards Tanzhou to kill.

When the governor of Tanzhou in the Liao Dynasty heard that his younger brother Zhao Guangyi, the king of Jin in the Song Dynasty, had led an army of 100,000 to attack Tanzhou, he hurriedly summoned the civil and military officials to discuss countermeasures. Most of the officials advocated abandoning the city and leaving. Facing the powerful troops of the Song Dynasty, Governor Wang was suppressing the territory. Tanzhou had only a few soldiers, and he had long wanted to abandon the city and flee. However, it was inconvenient for him to say it out. Seeing that all the Cao officials advocated abandoning the city, he went with him and ordered to pack up and head for the northern secluded area. The state retreated.