The sun had just risen. The winter sunlight was too weak to dispel the chill of the early morning, but the bright light gave people the illusion of relaxation. Guo Shao sat on the upper chair, his body straight, his helmet placed neatly on the table next to him, and his clothes and armor were clean and tidy.
When the roll call was just started, everyone turned to look at him. Posture and temperament can influence the people around him. When everyone saw Guo Shao's image, they were all in awe. No one joked anymore, and even Shi Yanchao listened obediently.
Guo Shao also spoke very straightforwardly and concisely, without any nonsense or quotations, and he talked about recent events in a short time, so as not to waste everyone's time. His speech was not fast, so everyone could come back to their senses, but he spoke very fluently.
At this time, a young general came in and reported: "The envoy Wang from the Privy Council has arrived." Guo Shao said: "You are welcome."
After that, he led the generals out of the hall and waited at the door to see Wang Pu. Not long after, Wang Pu came over quickly. Everyone clasped their fists and saluted to see him. Wang Pu bowed and said: It just so happens that the garrison will rotate on duty in a few days. I will send you the deployment map of each army. I will skip the red tape. I have to go to the Guard Department later.
Wang Pu walked into the hall and sat down on a chair next to him. He then carefully took out a few sheets of paper from his arms, flipped through them and handed them to Guo Shao. Guo Shao also glanced through them and said, "Give Xihua Gate to the Inner Palace Guards."
Yes. Wang Pu said that the Huben Army was the main field force of the Palace Front Department, and there was no need to complicate the palace defense too much. This was also the Queen Mother's intention.
Guo Shao nodded and handed the order to the general of the Palace Front Department to confirm the deployment order. He thought: It seems that Fu Jinzhan is still very resourceful. Judging from the situation, she has gradually controlled all the squads. She will do this only when she is assured.
Everyone checked it and said that there was no problem. The military order was delivered by the Privy Councilor himself, so there was basically no problem. At this time, Guo Shao casually said politely: "Since Envoy Wang is here, please go to the study and have some tea."
Unexpectedly, Wang Pu said directly: Okay.
Guo Shao was a little surprised, as Wang Pu had just said that he was going to the Imperial Guards Department. He said to everyone: "If you have nothing else to do, please go away."
So he took Wang Pu to his office to entertain him. Wang Pu sat down and waited for the clerk to serve tea before he said: The imperial guards have been reorganized. When General Guo met with the Queen Mother, did he mention where he planned to start the foreign war
Guo Shao pondered for a moment, wondering whether the option of attacking Shu was a wise one, after all, Wang Pu was the Privy Councilor.
At this time, Wang Pu said calmly: The Central Plains has been in war for many years, and the population has been killed, injured, or fled too much. There are only so many people and such a large territory. No matter how you govern it, it will not work. If you want to enhance your national strength, the fastest way is to seize the territory of other countries.
Indeed, Guo Shao almost agreed with both hands, but then asked calmly, "There is no big threat in the south of the Central Plains now. Envoy Wang does not advocate continuing to attack Youzhou."
Wang Pu was stunned. He seemed to think of the battle in the north of Zhuozhou at the beginning of the year when the Zhou army was completely at a disadvantage. He slowly said: This is a different time. Now that the previous emperor has passed away, the country has finally stabilized. Attacking Liao and taking risks is not the best way. It is safer to attack the south first.
Guo Shao took out a small knife from his waist, walked to the table, cut a piece of paper with the knife and handed it to Wang Pu. After he finished, he remembered that Wei Renpu had done this before. It turned out that people are easy to influence each other.
Wang Puyi: Shu
Guo Shaodao: I am thinking about this place for the time being. What do you think of this place
Wang Pu pondered and said: We must first take Hanzhong and Jingnan. Jingnan originally served the Central Plains as the main force. If they are willing to surrender, that would be the best. Otherwise, we can borrow the road. The main thing is the Hanzhong Shannan West Road. Taking Hanzhong can shorten the route for our army to supply grain; while the Shu army can only travel a long way across the Bashan Mountains to supply grain and transport troops.
Guo Shaodao: By then the Queen Mother will summon the ministers and discuss the matter in front of her before making any arrangements.
Very good. Wang Pu responded, then stood up and said, "I'll take my leave now."
Guo Shao sent Wang Pu away, and then took out the military deployment order and pondered it carefully. The specific deployment was to be assigned to the military commanders of each army, but he had to figure out the path from the intention of deployment to the implementation process; he couldn't do something without knowing that he had done it; fortunately, he had worked in the Imperial Army for many years and was familiar with the deployment from the top to the bottom. Guo Shao was used to paying attention to the various steps and details of a certain thing, probably because of his thinking habit, because he had always understood the world as composed of molecules, atoms and other particles.
He stayed in the Dianqiansi Yamen until noon, casually asking about some specific military affairs that appeared before his eyes. When he was on duty, he usually had to spend at least half a day in the Dianqiansi. These were not things he wanted to do, but he was used to spending his time on them. He felt more at ease doing his best. There were only one or two important things in his plan for a period of time.
After lunch, Guo Shao neither went to the military camp nor went straight home today. Instead, he went to Mrs. Chen's yard in the west of the city.
On a sunny afternoon, Mrs. Chen's house was very quiet. Guo Shao waited for a while in the hall while drinking tea, casually looking at the scene here. The mansions of all levels in Tokyo are similar, but the atmosphere of each person's residence is different; Mrs. Chen's house has a very deliberate elegance. At first glance, the decoration is simple and the colors are monotonous, but for example, the antique furniture imitating the Qin and Han dynasties can show her affectation. Some people decorate simply to save trouble, but Mrs. Chen is purely deliberately pursuing that kind of elegance.
However, Guo Shao did not feel disgusted by her pretentiousness; instead, he found it interesting.
Soon, Madam Chen came out. She was wearing a light-colored skirt, without any extra colors, but it was obvious that the material was tailored to fit her body very well, and her face was covered with a very thin layer of gauze. "I have met General Guo." Madam Chen saluted, and her eyes were lowered to the appropriate movements, which were very particular. Guo Shao estimated that a real lady from a noble family might not be as good as her.
Guo Shao smiled, without standing up, and pointed to the cushion next to him and said: Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Chen.
Chen Jiali knelt down beside him with deliberate shyness, took the teapot with one hand, held the bottom with the other, and poured the tea into Guo Shao's cup very accurately. She reached out and picked up the cup again, saying softly: "It's not too hot or too cold, just right."
Guo Shao took the teacup, sniffed the tea, took a sip, put it down and said: "I asked Madam Chen to prepare the betrothal gifts last time. I wonder if Madam Chen has helped me prepare them."
Chen Jiali glanced slightly, and Aunt Sun, who was standing at the inner door, turned and went in. Chen Jiali said softly: General Guo, please wait a moment, Aunt Sun will go get the gift list.
Guo Shao looked satisfied, and after a moment's silence, he said: Madam Chen is originally from Southern Tang. I suddenly became curious. If one day the Zhou Dynasty wants to attack Southern Tang, I would like to infiltrate your business group as a spy. Madam Chen, would you be willing
Chen Jiali said: If General Guo asked me personally, I would naturally not refuse.
Very good. Guo Shao said with a smile.