Fu Jinzhan had been sitting for a long time, so she leaned forward, brushed her sleeves and placed her hands on the armrests on both sides. The eunuch standing behind the curtain looked at her calm and composed movements and subconsciously bent down.
She leaned back in her chair in a relaxed manner, squinting her eyes and showing a hint of smile. She didn't care what Guo Shao wanted to do, but felt that he did a good job.
Wang Pu's words were harsh, but Fu Jinzhan knew that he was just like that. Wang Pu was not good at pleasing others, but he was still very talented. At this moment, Fu Jinzhan coughed lightly, and the dispute outside stopped abruptly. The three of them saluted together.
Fu Jinzhan was very satisfied when he saw this, and said coldly: Envoy Wang, I have something to ask you.
Wang Pudao: I am all ears.
Talking to such a person, Fu Jinzhan asked directly: "My Great Zhou Dynasty needs to be balanced and stable. Envoy Wang, please come up with a strategy. The whole plan must stand up to scrutiny and truly achieve stability."
Wang Pu:
Fu Jinzhan saw that he was also stumped by the question, so he asked again: Do you think General Guo is loyal and reliable? Is he planning a rebellion
Ren Wangpu said whatever he wanted and liked to expose other people's shortcomings. If he dared to expose this matter, Fu Jinzhan would truly respect him.
Wang Pu hurriedly said: I did not say that General Guo's loyalty is unreliable, but
But Fu Jinzhan's tone is so aggressive. I don't put people I can trust around me, but I put people who may plot against me and the emperor at any time in the inner guards. Are you trying to learn from Wang Jun during the reign of Emperor Taizu
Wang Pu immediately knelt on the ground and said hurriedly: "Empress Dowager, Wang Jun is a military man. He also serves as the Privy Councilor, Prime Minister and Military Governor. He has tremendous power. I don't have that ability."
Fu Jinzhan sneered: What do you think of Guo Shao's advice
Wang Pu said: It’s up to the Queen Mother to decide.
Wei Renpu hurriedly said: "General Guo has contributed to the enthronement of the emperor and his loyalty is evident. He is also a relative of the Empress Dowager. I ask the Empress Dowager to appoint General Guo as the head of the Palace Front Office."
At this time, Guo Shao said: Queen Mother, calm down, you have misunderstood what Wang Shijun meant. Wang Shijun's implication was that he only explained the pros and cons, and did not object. The decision still had to be made according to the Queen Mother's order. Wang Shijun was a loyal minister. He was just stating a fact. My power would increase; too much power would easily give rise to ambition, just like Zhao Kuangyin. But I am not Zhao Kuangyin. I will always be loyal to the Queen Mother.
Outside, Wang Pu glanced at Guo Shao slightly, as if expressing gratitude.
"Stand up," Fu Jinzhan said softly.
Wang Pu wiped his sweat silently and said: "I would like to resign from the position of Privy Councilor. I have only been in the position for a short time and I am not qualified for this important position."
Fu Jinzhan was still a little angry, and stopped trying to speak politely. He said coldly: "Privy Councilor, just keep doing your job. Are you afraid?"
Wang Pu lowered his hands and said: I thank the Queen Mother for her kindness.
Fu Jinzhan said bluntly: There is one more thing. I think Li Jixun will definitely rebel.
Wang Pu immediately said: The Queen Mother is absolutely right, and we also have this judgment.
Fu Jinzhan said: Therefore, the court must make drastic changes to the imperial guards and restore stability and vitality as soon as possible. Otherwise, if a rebellion in one place cannot be quickly quelled, the whole country will be in chaos. This is an urgent matter. Who will clean up the situation then? How can you live in peace in Tokyo
Wang Pu pulled out a roll of paper from his sleeve, unfolded it to reveal a rough map, bent down and held it above his head, waiting for Cao Tai to come out and take it. He said: "I and Deputy Envoy Wei have also been thinking about this matter these days and were about to report it, but unexpectedly the Queen Mother was already alert."
He waited for the map to be presented before he said: Li Jixun resigned as the commander of the imperial guards infantry the year before last, and was sent to govern the three cities of Heyang, the northern part of today's Luoyang City, and governed the three states of Menghuaize. There were not many elite soldiers in the outer town, but Li Jixun had a lot of territory and money, and his strength should not be underestimated.
Li Jixun led a large group of elite troops in the Huainan Campaign, but was defeated by the famous Southern Tang general Chai Kehong, and was attacked and impeached by many people. However, Chai Rong was very kind to him. Although he was transferred from the imperial guards, he was appointed as the commander of the three cities of Heyang, and his status and position did not decrease but increased.
Wang Pu continued: "Li Jixun has few capable soldiers under his command, and it is foolish to attack Dongjing directly to the east. In my opinion, he raised an army to protect himself, and he must have incited Li Chongjin in Hedong to retreat and support Li Chongjin as the second best option to support the north and the south."
But Li Chongjin and Li Jixun were sandwiched by Li Yun, the governor of Zhaoyi Army in Luzhou. They would definitely try to get Li Yun to join them. If the three Lis joined forces, they would form a united front from Hedong and Heyang. They should also win over Wang Rao, the governor of Zhangde Army in Xiangzhou, Hebei. If the four of them joined forces, they would form a united front from Heyang to Hebei, forming a siege on Tokyo, which would be very difficult.
During the reign of Liu Zhiyuan of the Later Han Dynasty, Wang Rao, Li Yun and Bai Zairong launched a mutiny together to cut off the Khitan's wings and surrender to Liu Zhiyuan. They had a long-standing relationship and mutual trust.
After hearing this, Fu Jinzhan secretly admired Wang Pu. This man was not only knowledgeable, but also had a good understanding of the details of various people inside and outside the family. For example, the relationship between Li Yun and Wang Rao was the first time Fu Jinzhan heard about it.
Guo Shao didn't say much. Wang Pu had said everything, so he didn't need to say anything.
Li Jixun might raise an army, and he had thought about it but was not sure if he had the courage. Wang Pu and Fu Jinzhan both confirmed it, which made him believe it. Li Jixun was also one of the ten brothers of Yishe. Among the ten brothers, four of them, including Zhao Kuangyin, escaped, and the rest, except Li Jixun, were killed. Li Jixun was so scared that he couldn't sleep at this time. Taking risks and fighting hard was the way of the generals of this era.
After a while of discussion, they were all talking about military affairs, and indeed no one mentioned the troubles of the Southern Tang Kingdom. In the minds of Fu Jinzhan and his ministers, the threat of the Southern Tang Kingdom was not even as great as that of Li Jixun, the governor of Heyang.
Guo Shao naturally didn't mention it either.
Not long after, Fu Jinzhan was heard behind the curtain saying: I am a little tired. Today is Mid-Autumn Festival, so let's stop here. My second sister is not in Tokyo. General Guo is my brother-in-law. Please come to the back hall of Jinxiang Palace to have lunch with me at noon.
Guo Shao hurriedly bowed and said: I obey your command.
At noon, in a gorgeous dining room in the back hall, there was a large table of delicacies on the table in front of Guo Shao, but only two people were eating. However, it seemed that the food was not wasted. The unfinished food could be given to the eunuchs and palace maids. They did not despise it, but were proud to eat the leftovers of the superiors. If you did not have a certain status, you would not be able to eat it.
There were many palace maids standing around to serve meals, and precious calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls. The environment was very quiet and peaceful. As soon as Guo Shao came in, he felt that this place was very high-end, at least higher than a modern five-star hotel. He also heard Qingxu say that the dishes in the palace were delicious, so he prepared to enjoy a good meal.
After a while, Fu Jinzhan came in. She had changed into a fitted light red silk dress. She had a smile on her face and her mood had improved. She was no longer as cold as before.
I have seen the Queen Mother and thank her for the banquet. Guo Shao bowed and said.
Fu Jinzhan smiled and nodded, then walked over with light lotus steps.
In such a high-end environment, Guo Shao suddenly felt that he had become very elegant and as if he had become an elegant person.
He walked to the upper seat, moved the chair away, and held the back of the chair. Fu Jinzhan was slightly startled, and sat down slowly. Guo Shao then let go and returned to his seat. At this time, more palace maids came in one after another and served more hot dishes.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, will the palace hold a dinner to enjoy the moon at night? Guo Shao said slowly.
Fu Jinzhan had a graceful demeanor, occasionally looking at Guo Shao with an inadvertent look, and said softly: Although the national mourning is over, it is not long past. I have no interest in that lively place, so let's just stay like this.
Yes, festivals are just for a happy mood. If you are in such a mood, the festival will be meaningless. Guo Shao also said seriously. There were many palace maids and eunuchs standing around him, and he was very careful about his words and behavior.
It was his first time to dine in the palace, and in such a high-end environment, he was a little nervous.
Fu Jinzhan was very casual, she said nothing, and the maids put the dishes from various places into the small white porcelain bowl in front of her. Guo Shao observed carefully, she seemed to like the light-colored, crystal-clear and beautiful sweets, but Guo Shao liked to eat all kinds of braised pork.
Fu Jinzhan gradually smiled, bowed and said with a smile: "Li Yu and his wife from the Southern Tang fled to Tokyo. You know that, right?"
I have heard of this. Guo Shao's face was slightly hot. It was not because he was with Zhou Xian last night, but because he remembered that he had let Fu Jinzhan down and felt a little ashamed.
Fu Jinzhan covered her mouth and laughed: Zhou Ehuang is very beautiful and she came right to my door.
I have something to say. Guo Shaodao said lightly, Zhou Ehuang was a concubine married to the king of Southern Tang, but she was asked to be a concubine of a military commander. I am afraid she would not be willing.
Fu Jinzhan pursed her lips: Why do you care whether she is willing or not
If he were to commit suicide out of sadness, wouldn't that be a pity? Guo Shao pondered.
Fu Jinzhan raised her eyebrows and said softly: "You don't really understand women. Women can live longer than men. Only men think about how to die, while women think about how to live."
After listening to this, Guo Shao seemed to be thinking about something and praised: The Queen Mother's casual words are full of profound truth.
Don't compliment me, I'm your sister. Fu Jinzhan looked at his face and smiled, isn't it
Guo Shao's expression changed even more, and he managed to control himself without losing his composure. He picked up a piece of burnt-yellow meat with chopsticks and started eating it. After swallowing it, he said: I don't know what spices were used, but it smelled really good.
Then eat more, you're welcome. Fu Jinzhan said with a smile.
Guo Shao said again: I still don't want to force Zhou Ehuang to stay, please ask the Queen Mother to agree.
Fu Jinzhan smiled and said: You make it sound like I'm forcing you.
Guo Shao pondered for a moment and said: I heard that Li Hongji launched a coup in Nan Tang, poisoned his uncle, and led his troops to rush into the palace to force his father to seize the throne. He seems to be a ruthless person. Li Yu is a scholar, and in the long run, he may be more beneficial to the Great Zhou Dynasty. Nan Tang has the natural barrier of the Yangtze River. If it can pay tribute every year, we'd better not attack Nan Tang first.
Fu Jinzhan said: Let’s eat first.