Zuo You reported his work to Guo Shao. Guo Shao listened carefully and praised him: Mr. Zuo did a good job. Then he immediately said: Zhou Xingfeng surrendered.
Yang Biao, Luo Mengzi, and Jing Niang were also in the hall, and everyone showed a surprised expression. Zhou Xingfeng was the governor of Wuping, and he controlled part of the former Chu State's territory in Hunan. Guo Shao looked at the reactions of several people and said: I just learned about this this morning, and I didn't expect it to happen so soon. The Southern Tang Kingdom transferred Lin Renzhao away, and after Li Chuyun surrounded Langzhou, he sent people to explain the benefits of being isolated and helpless, but Zhou Xingfeng really surrendered.
Yang Biao snorted and said: Li Chuyun is really capable, this time Shi Yanchao has nothing to say.
Zuo You said: Once the upper reaches of the Yangtze River are pacified, the imperial court will soon go to war with the Southern Tang Kingdom.
This matter had been roughly discussed in Jinxiang Hall this morning. Guo Shao said, the strategy has not changed much, and it is difficult to have another way. The three-way siege strategy. The western route goes down the river from the upper reaches, the eastern route orders the Wuyue Kingdom to send troops to attack its front and back, and the main force of the northern route's imperial army attacks the lower reaches from the north of the river.
Yang Biao raised his head and said: The road of Southern Tang is always easier than that of Shu. Everyone is just waiting for money and promotion.
When Luo Mengzi heard about dividing the money, he touched his head and his face was broken with laughter.
The deployment will take some time, General Yang can't be impatient. Zuo You said with a smile.
Guo Shao thought that it was already August, and the territory of Southern Tang was very large. After conquering Southern Tang, it should be at least winter or next spring, which is the season when plum blossoms bloom. For a while, he spoke less.
The group talked about the war for a long time, and they were no longer interested in laughing at Meng Chang. After a long time, Yang Biao and Luo Mengzi left the mansion, but Zuo You lingered. At this time, he said to Jing Niang calmly: I have something private to say to the lord, Jing Niang
Jingniang turned around and walked out without saying a word.
Guo Shao laughed and said: "Even Jingniang can't listen to what you say."
Zuo You sat down beside the tea table, pondered for a long time, and then said: My lord, you conquered Shu and then conquered Southern Tang. You have made great contributions but you have no title to show for it.
Guo Shao stopped smiling and said calmly: Promotion is no longer meaningful to me.
That's true. Even Li Chuyun, Yang Biao and other generals of the imperial guards actually don't have much room for promotion. Zuo You said slowly, with a measured tone, "I have a question for you. My lord, there is no room for promotion. Why do you keep fighting in the south and the north?"
Although Zuo You was an aide to Guo Shao, he was too familiar with the matter. Guo Shao would not tell him that for the sake of the overall situation of the world and the prosperity of the country, speaking in official language was just a waste of time. He thought: When you reach a high position, you want to stand firm.
When Guo Shao heard this, he had already guessed what Zuo You wanted to say, but he still pretended to be confused and listened to how Zuo You wanted to persuade him to ascend the throne.
Zuo You nodded: Not only does the lord think so, but everyone thinks so. No one wants to sit in a high position, then be driven down after tasting the taste of it. But who can guarantee our status? Everyone is fighting hard in the front, and the emperor of the Zhou Dynasty in the deep palace can't see or understand; the generals can only gain the trust of the lord and find their own foothold in front of the lord.
Zuo You said solemnly: Many people hope that the Lord will make further progress.
Guo Shao snorted to show that he was listening. He was also thinking about Zuo You's words. In fact, Guo Shao had already had this idea without Zuo You's persuasion. Having reached this position, only the legitimate emperor would be the safest position. Otherwise, as a minister, the greater the power, the more dangerous it is.
However, there are countless people who want to be emperor, and it is not possible to sit on the throne safely just because you want to. Before, Guo Shao knew that he had enough military power, but his prestige and recognition from the people of the world were not enough; after destroying Shu and Tang, this may change.
Zuo You continued to persuade him, saying: "In today's world, military generals are only willing to obey strong men who are good at fighting, such as you. You are more capable of winning people over with virtue. Looking at the whole court, there is no one who can make everyone live in peace better than you."
Zuo You was not persuading the emperor to ascend the throne just for Guo Shao. He thought that he also wanted to be granted a title of nobility and appointed as prime minister to bring honor to his family by virtue of his merit in supporting the emperor. In this world, military men could fight and gain merit, but the quickest way for civil servants was to support the emperor and follow him.
However, Zuo You was still good at speaking, and after hearing what he said, Guo Shao was very happy and felt that he was understood. Many people questioned Guo Shao's soft-heartedness as a military commander, but the accumulation of time proved the benefits of this approach. Long-term soft-heartedness was certainly not conducive to his establishment of authority, but precisely because of this, everyone did not feel threatened; after all, even Shi Yanchao was fine, and they felt that they would generally not be forced into a desperate situation.
This kind of thing is just like when Guo Shao was threatened by Zhao Kuangyin; if Guo Shao had not determined that he would die without a burial place if he failed, it would be difficult for him to take the extreme step of fighting to the death as long as he could really see a safe way out. The current attitude of the civil and military officials towards Guo Shao should be exactly the same; some people may not want to betray the Zhou Dynasty, but it can be seen that Guo Shao would not do anything to them if he came to power, so it is difficult for anyone to be willing to fight.
Guo Shao pondered. Zuo You said again: I risked my life to make this suggestion because I felt that the fall of Southern Tang was the best time. In the past two years, the lord has suppressed rebellions in Jinzhou, conquered Shu, and pacified Southern Tang. He has won every battle. According to experience, people in the world are used to thinking that the winner of every battle must be the lord. It is the expectation of the people to take a further step at this time.
Not everyone in the world wants me to be in power, only people in our circle have such a wish. Guo Shao said in a deep voice, there must be people who are extremely reluctant, and there are also people who are watching from the other side. We must not be complacent and act rashly.
Although Guo Shao did not agree, he did not refute it either. For such a serious matter, his attitude was already very positive. Even if he was the legitimate successor, he would have to refuse three times before he agreed reluctantly, let alone a usurper.
As soon as Guo Shao expressed his opinion, he found that Zuo You's face was flushed, and his eyes were full of excitement. This guy was even more anxious than himself. Compared with most people in the world, Zuo You was indeed a legendary figure. A few years ago, he was still a penniless official, but in the blink of an eye, he had the opportunity to be a marquis and a prime minister; this was something that many people dreamed of.
Zuo You had clearly shown his true intentions, but he pretended to be calm and said, "My Lord, you are absolutely right. That is why I am trying to persuade you in private and I dare not be rude. We need to think about this matter carefully."
I understand. Guo Shao said calmly, I am still loyal to the Great Zhou Dynasty and the Queen Mother. I am not willing to do anything too extreme unless it is absolutely necessary.
At this moment, Lu Chengyong walked to the door. The two stopped talking for the time being.
Lu Chengyong said something at the door, then walked in, handed over a letter, and said: A letter sent by Mrs. Dong Gao.
Guo Shao opened the letter and saw that it said there was something very important and he needed to meet as soon as possible.
At this time Zuo You stood up and said: I will go back and think about it first, and then meet you, my lord, in two days.
Guo Shao reminded: This matter has only reached the initial stage, so the secrets should not be spread yet.
"My lord, rest assured. I understand." Zuo You bowed.
Guo Shao paced back and forth in the living room, thinking about Zuo You's words and thinking about Gao's letter, wondering what the important matter was. At this time, Jingniang came in again, picking up the teapot and pouring tea into Guo Shao's cup.
I have to go to Dong Zunhui's house. Guo Shao calmed down and said.
Jingniang then asked someone to prepare the carriage and horses, and went out with Guo Shao. The attendants around him were usually the same people, Jingniang, Lu Chengyong, Dong Er and others.
Sitting in the carriage, Guo Shao parted the bamboo curtain and looked outside. The ancient scenery flashed before his eyes, and what Zuo You said was still lingering in his mind.
His heart was in ups and downs. Occasionally, when he reached a high point, he felt that he could do anything. The whole era and the whole world were running under his will. He could change and create anything at will, and let everything run according to his will. Occasionally, when he reached a low point, he was a little panicked, afraid that he could not control the situation and that things were beyond his ability. After all, Guo Shao was only a young man in his twenties. Counting his past life experience, he was also a young man in his past life.
This kind of panic is vaguely like a young man who has just grown up and is about to leave home to venture out. He no longer has the protection of his parents and teachers. He will be responsible for his own actions. Now he is responsible not only for his own fate, but also for the people around him and even the entire country. There is no longer a far-sighted and powerful leader to take responsibility for the fate of the country. He will dominate the direction of the world.
Excitement and tremendous pressure exist in Guo Shao's heart at the same time.
At this time, Dong Zunhui arrived at home. When Guo Shao stepped out of the carriage, he saw Gao Shi waiting at the gate. Her expression was very strange when she saw Guo Shao, as if a drowning person grabbed a life-saving straw.
"I hope you are well, sister," Guo Shao said politely.
Gao bowed deeply and said: You are finally here. I have something important to discuss with you.
Guo Shao followed Gao into a living room. Gao dismissed the servants and told them not to serve tea. She immediately bowed and approached Guo Shao and whispered: I am pregnant.
Guo Shao was a little absent-minded at first, thinking about other things, and was stunned when he heard this.
Gao stared at his face: It was General Guo's last birthday. Do you believe me? I really only had that kind of thing with you.
Guo Shao immediately said: Of course it's mine.
Gao was relieved and said: I was worried, but I didn't expect you to be such a responsible person. But what should I do as a widow
Guo Shao pondered for a moment and said: Go live in seclusion somewhere else and let me raise the child after it is born.
Where to go to live in seclusion Gao frowned.
Guo Shaodao: This is a bit sudden. I will think of a solution first and then come to pick up my sister. Don't worry, I will handle it properly.
The updates during this period may be unstable. It's the New Year and there's a lot going on. Please understand.