Before the first month came out, the imperial court ordered Yang Yue, the left servant of the Ministry of Rites, as an envoy to go to Shu to appease the rebels.
Yan Sikong and Yang Yue knew each other on Jingyan, they had a little friendship, and they knew that this person was weak and timid, and he only focused on making money on weekdays, so it was embarrassing to use him. Recruiting is a hard job, and if you are not careful, you will die. You also have to coordinate the hatred between the court and the rebels.
Facing the imperial court's recruitment, most of the rebels would be pacified at first, and took the opportunity to open their mouths and demand endlessly. If the imperial court had the spare power to satisfy their greed, they would have used it for disaster relief. Even if they really gave money, so many mouths would have to eat , I've run out of food, I've tasted the sweetness, and I'm going to fight back, so I'm done with it, I'm done with it, it's the so-called normality.
The day before Yang Yue's departure, all those who had personal acquaintances with him went to the mansion to practice for him. His expression was solemn and solemn, and he said goodbye today, which might be the last time. Obviously his mind is still clear.
Yan Sikong looked at Yang Yue indifferently, thinking to himself, this is indeed the last time, from the moment he was ordered, the ending was already doomed.
Just as Yan Sikong expected, Bao Yunyong, the leader of the rebel army, boldly proposed that the emperor should make him a king on the spot, enjoy the hereditary salary and fiefdom of the vassal king, and asked for 200,000 taels of silver to comfort the generals.
When Yang Yue's memorial arrived in Beijing, Emperor Zhaowu was so angry that he scolded Yang Yue as a coward in the early court. He had the face to decide such a negotiation condition, which was a shame to the royal majesty and punished Yang Yue.
Yang Yue's popularity is good, many people said please for him, and the thief's situation is urgent, and it will take a lot of time to get rid of Yang Yue at this time, and then send people there. In the end, Emperor Zhaowu told Yang Yue to commit crimes and meritorious deeds, and took out 80,000 taels of silver from his internal funds (read lying), which meant very clearly that if the 80,000 taels could be caressed, he would be caressed, and if he could not be pacified, he would be suppressed. At the same time, The imperial court has ordered Luoyang to organize an army of 20,000 troops and go out at any time.
Yang Yue lived up to his prestige, and really used the emperor's private treasury to recruit nearly 30,000 rebels.
Emperor Zhaowu was very happy, but Yan Zilian bluntly remonstrated, saying that the money was just a tactic to delay the army, and the rebels would definitely rebel again, so he must order the Luoyang Ping rebels to send troops as soon as possible.
This incident led to a protracted war of words in the court. Yan Zilian's faction believed that the characteristics of the rebel army in the early stage were that they had more family members, 30,000 soldiers and relatives, at least 100,000 mouths to eat and drink, 80,000 taels of silver, at most It took two months to spend, and it was bound to be reversed by then.
Xie Zhongren's faction believes that this is just Yan Zilian's own guess, and in two months' time, the spring will bloom, the earth will recover, the people will not let go of their fields, and they will return to farming, and most likely they will not. Twenty thousand soldiers, chariots, horses, armor, food and grass, all of which need to be considered, cost thousands of silver a day to raise troops. If the rebels are so honest, wouldn't the money be wasted
The two factions were both reasonable, and it was difficult to overwhelm the other for a while, so Emperor Zhaowu was hesitant.
Yan Sikong had already planned in his heart, and he predicted that the rebels would turn back. This snowstorm froze all the crops to death, and most of the cattle froze to death. Even if they returned to farming, it would take several months to harvest. Could it be possible to drink the northwest wind for these few months
If the rebels really did not rebel for two months, he would send assassins to kill Yang Yue and blame the rebels.
In the end, Emperor Zhaowu did not order the Luoyangping rebels to go out. In fact, Xie Zhongren's meaning may not really be Xie Zhongren's meaning. Imperial power and eunuch power have always complemented each other. The birth of eunuch power was originally used to strengthen imperial power to check and balance relative power. Also show off. Therefore, no matter whether Xie Zhongren meant it or not, it was Emperor Zhaowu's meaning.
Yan Zilian was so angry that he fell ill, he was nearly seventy years old, this illness really took a toll on his vitality.
Yan Sikong went to Yan's mansion every day and served Yan Zilian before his bed. He was more filial than his own son. Naturally, other disciples also came to visit him, but his face was not as thick as Yan Sikong's, and he did not stay on the sick bed.
During his illness, Yan Zilian was in a low mood, saying that the eunuchs were in the way, and that he was unable to achieve his ambitions, discouraged, and thought of retiring and returning home.
Yan Sikong comforted him patiently and understood the righteousness. He knew that Yan Zilian was very sad because of his illness, and he just complained a few words. How many people have there been in ancient times who can retire bravely and retire when they can? To be able to live a good death is to be a good person. Power is like poison. Knowing that the poison will attack the heart, you can afford it and can't let it go.
Besides, even if Yan Zilian really had the mind of a sage, he would not dare to become an official. He had fought with Xie Zhongren for decades, once power was delegated, how could Xie Zhongren not take the opportunity to liquidate. In the end of these two people, only you die and I die.
Yan Zilian was partly ill, partly resentful and didn't want to go to court. He had been lying at home for a whole month, but he was not behind on any matter in court, big or small. Ever since Wang Shengsheng was demoted, he had completely controlled the cabinet.
However, the imperial court lost its chief assistant, and it was running wild. Due to the inefficiency of the cabinet, many affairs had to be piled up in front of the emperor. When he got up, how could he bear this kind of labor, he issued two imperial edicts in succession, sending the imperial physician and the panacea, seeing that Yan Zilian still didn't come out of the mountain, he went to Yan's mansion to visit him.
What an honor it is for the emperor to visit him in person. Looking at the chief ministers of the cabinet, there is no such honor. It may be the most glorious moment in Yan Zilian's life. Xie Zhongren, who accompanied the emperor, must also show concern look like.
After saving face in this way, Yan Zilian went down the slope to donkey land and returned to court after recovering from his illness. However, Emperor Zhaowu still did not let go of the matter of suppressing the rebel army. Obviously, the 80,000 taels of private treasury silver made him feel extremely painful.
—
Yan Zilian recovered from his illness, Yan Sikong had time to visit Feng Ye.
In order to meet him, Feng Ye returned to the city from Jingshan camp when he had time, and he had already been in vain twice. This time, he had a lot of dissatisfaction with his words, all of which turned into passionate clouds on the couch.
The two of them hadn't seen each other for more than a month, but it seemed as long as years, their eyes were full of unconcealable affection, Yan Sikong knew it shouldn't be like this, he warned himself repeatedly, but he still fell down uncontrollably.
After a heat wave, the two hugged each other tenderly and chatted about the affairs of the court.
"I heard that Yan Ge always pretended to be sick, so that the emperor went to visit him in person?" Feng Ye stroked Yan Sikong's smooth back with his slender fingers, and the thin layer of sweat made his skin glow.
Yan Sikong is like a lazy cat, lingering in Feng Ye's arms, softly said: "It's not pretending to be sick, it's really sick." He smiled again, "But the teacher is still in good health. Enough."
Feng Ye chuckled twice: "Elder Ge has some tricks... It's a pity that the emperor still refuses to send troops to suppress the rebellion. It's just a disease."
"You also think that the rebels will fight back?"
"Bifan, after taking this step, who wants to turn back? I can't go back." Feng Ye said in a muffled voice, "If you let me lead the army, you don't need 20,000. Give me 2,000 to put down the rebellion. A gang of mobs , it must collapse at the first touch.”
Yan Sikong smiled and said: "I believe you, but unfortunately His Majesty will not let you lead troops."
Feng Ye's eyes showed disappointment.
Yan Sikong comforted: "Feng Ye, you are only nineteen years old, so don't feel hopeless, you have all the strategies and martial arts, and I, Dasheng, will definitely use you in the future, trust me."
Feng Ye smiled wryly: "Of course I think so too, but I don't know when."
"Waiting is also practice."
Feng Ye kissed him: "Konger knows me."
"By the way, is there any movement from Wala?"
"It's spring now. My father said that when the glaciers melt, the spring grass fills the fields, and the cattle and sheep are full, Wala will send troops."
"Then... His Majesty has a decision?"
Feng Ye shook his head: "This matter is too confidential, father will not say it in the letter, but I guess..."
"you guess?"
Feng Ye sighed, and stretched out his arms to hug Yan Sikong tightly: "My father has been fighting for years, and his body is constantly suffering from new injuries and old diseases. As he gets older, his health is getting worse and worse. His ambition in life is to eliminate Oala and restore peace to the border. He is most afraid of dying before his ambition is fulfilled, he has waited for this opportunity for thirty years, and based on what I know about him, he will definitely fight."
Yan Sikong frowned deeply, and said sternly: "If so, I would like you to persuade Your Highness not to go to battle rashly, for a general who has not yet gone to battle, he will have the mentality of putting all his eggs in one basket, which violates the taboo of military strategists. "
Feng Ye nodded: "I understand, and my father naturally understands too. He has been a soldier all his life, has acted extremely cautiously, and rarely fails. I trust him."
Yan Sikong nodded, feeling a little relieved. After all, when it comes to leading troops to fight, who dares to show off in front of Feng Jianping, a modern hero, if he can really wipe out Wala in one fell swoop, Feng Jianping will surely be famous forever.
There was light in Feng Ye's eyes: "I believe that my father will be able to eradicate Wala. His whole life's hard work will never be in vain."
"Wala must be eliminated!"
Feng Ye drew Yan Sikong's cheeks with his fingertips, with a smile in his eyes: "Kong'er, do you know? I have a bad temper and I can't get along with others, but being with you makes me feel comfortable and happy." , you understand everything I say, and I love to listen to everything you say. There are only two people I talk to in my life, one is you, and the other is my elder brother..." At the end of the speech, his expression was already sad.
Yan Sikong caressed his temples: "You can also treat me as your elder brother." He is born with a penetrating nature and can see people's desires, so he is very good at winning people's hearts. Flattery. This is usually his way of being a human being, but now facing Feng Ye's innocence and sincerity, he feels... ashamed.
Feng Ye pinched his waist: "Nonsense, whoever wants to treat you as a brother, I will treat you as a daughter-in-law."
Yan Sikong couldn't help laughing: "You're talking nonsense, am I still comparable to you?"
Feng Ye turned over and pressed him under him, with a wicked smile on his face: "I won't say it, I will do it."
"Fengye! You... um..."
It's been a long night.