It was late spring at the end of March, and it was still a little chilly in the early morning. Guo Shao got up, put on his clothes, opened the door and stood at the door. When he looked up, he saw the city wall of Songzhou standing in the dim light. The courtyard where he lived was next to the South Gate. It was very quiet all around, and the whole city seemed to be asleep. Every time at such a critical moment, Guo Shao always had trouble sleeping. At this moment, he suddenly had an illusion that even if there were many people around him, the world was still lonely.
Perhaps the higher the position you reach, the more likely you will have this illusion.
He walked into the yard and turned around to see that the door next to him was open. Lu Chengyong, who had not yet taken off his armor, and two soldiers were sleeping soundly on the couch inside. There was a flicker of fire in the gap of the courtyard door, and the low voices of soldiers could be heard faintly outside. Guo Shao did not intend to wake them up. He walked to the well and saw a wooden basin there. He poured water to wash his face. The cold water made him more sober and also extinguished some useless emotions.
In the dim light on the water surface of the wooden basin, Guo Shao saw his face. Even though it had been exposed to the wind and sun for many years, it was still a young face. He subconsciously thought that he was only 24 years old this year. Yue Fei said in his lyrics that at the age of 30, fame and honor would be reduced to dust and dirt, which probably meant that he was already very powerful at the age of 30; and Guo Shao was 24 years old, had reached the highest position among officials and was preparing to usurp the throne.
When he thought of this, he felt inexplicably excited. Of course, if he hadn't had the experience of understanding the world in his previous life, he might not have been able to find the right direction so early.
Even so, he really didn't think of such a big goal at the beginning. Looking back on the past, at first he just wanted to stand out so that his people could live a good life, thinking that he would be satisfied with whatever he had, but once he reached a certain position, his ideas would change.
Guo Shao wiped his hands on his collar and walked back to his room. There were a lot of blueprints and documents piled on the desk, but he didn't look at them now. He just sat there thinking.
Guo Shao's first attempt to usurp the throne was not a second time. He could only succeed or fail once. He had no experience, but he could feel it from his imagination: there were definitely risks. This feeling was like taking a fancy to a certain business. Everyone said that you would definitely make money, but after investing all your wealth in it, you still couldn't feel at ease until the result was revealed.
He put his palm on his forehead and rubbed it vigorously. People consider the pros and cons. Some people in the world have power and influence, but not everything they get is closely related to the power center. These people care most about who is in power and who is in power. There are also some people, such as soldiers and civilians, who are afraid that whoever is in power cannot directly affect their lives, so they are not willing to pay too much for things that are not closely related to themselves.
In addition to the pros and cons, there is also something called a sense of identity. If an unpopular and notorious person comes to power, I am afraid that everyone will sigh and shake their heads. This is why Guo Shao not only needs power and military power, but also popularity and reputation.
Then Guo Shao considered the destructive power. In terms of class, the most powerful people are the general public, followed by ordinary soldiers, and then the powerful bureaucrats and generals. But everyone is not a whole. The most powerful people number tens of millions, but they are scattered across a vast land; individually, they are also the weakest. Who can organize and call them together? As long as they can survive and endure, it is difficult to be called up.
At this moment, Guo Shao noticed someone at the door. He heard Lu Chengyong's voice saying: "My lord has gotten up. I will fetch you some water to wash up."
Guo Shao responded, then collected his thoughts, stood up, and put on his clothes and armor.
He found exactly where he put his toothbrush. If he didn't have a toothbrush, he would soak willow branches in water and chew them. This was his daily routine.
This morning, everything was in order. Guo Shao told himself that he was in good shape and his mind was clear and organized.
He began to pack his things by himself. This place was just a place to stay, so he had to take everything with him. He sorted out his files and put them in one bag, and put his clothes and daily necessities neatly in another bag.
When Lu Chengyong came in, Guo Shao said: These two cloth bags are my things, please help me take them away.
Yes. Lu Chengyong clasped his fists in response.
Another servant from the place brought breakfast over. After the personal soldiers tasted it, they brought it to Guo Shao's room. He ate slowly and carefully until he was full.
Soon, Wang Pu, Li Chuyun, and Luo Yanhuan came to see him. After the greeting, Li Chuyun said calmly: "My lord, are you going back to the central army?"
We have something else to do today, let’s go now, Guo Shao said.
Wang Pu asked: "We should issue an order to the military headquarters now and order all military commanders and above to go to the central army so that everyone can confirm the titles and rewards."
Li Chuyun and Luo Yanhuan turned to look at Guo Shao. Guo Shao paused for a moment, as if he was about to make an important decision. He clenched his fists and said solemnly: Issue the military order immediately.
Wang Pu bowed his hand and agreed. Guo Shao opened his eyes wide and said decisively: "Let's do as we agreed."
In a ship on his father's Bian River, Han Tuozi looked at Han Tong nervously.
Han Tong held the military order he had just received in his hand, asking him to immediately go to the main military tent of the Jiangnan Front Camp Military Headquarters to discuss the details of rewards and punishments for the various troops. He glanced at his son's expression that looked like he was about to cry, and was somewhat moved. After all, his own son cared about him the most. His son's appearance this morning was also different from the past. He usually called him dad, but today he called him father, and his tone was very serious.
Han Tong also felt the atmosphere of the matter. He was just accustomed to being stern and majestic in front of his son and subordinates.
The hunchback said in a sad voice: Father, please don't go.
Han Tongdao: How can we not go? This is a military order. The army is still outside the country. Anyone who dares to disobey the order of the central army will be sentenced to death.
The hunchback said in a deep voice: They are going to do something big. My father is in a high position and holds military power. If he does not conspire with them, this trip will be dangerous.
Holding military power is useless. Han Tong sneered, "The military commanders above the naval commander, the messenger of the central army directly issued the military order. What's the use of me not going?"
Han Tong paced for two steps and pondered: Although I am the commander of the navy and the commander of the imperial guards, not all the people below me listen to me. Their families are in Tokyo, which is controlled by the Great Zhou court; their military pay and military expenses are allocated by the court. And my military power, if you think about it, is also granted by the court. I am the commander of the soldiers, but they are not my private soldiers and I have to obey military orders.
The hunchback said anxiously: "Now that things have come to this, we must stop the generals from going to the central army." My father told the soldiers that Guo Shao was planning a rebellion.
Han Tong shook his head and said: "Will it work? Besides, if I really do that, I have no real evidence, so it will be considered as treason." He stepped forward and patted the hunchback on the shoulder, saying, "Don't be afraid. I have to leave now. You wait for me on the boat."
The hunchback father suddenly fell to his knees and burst into tears.
Han Tong glanced at him, ignored him, picked up his sword and walked out of the cabin.
There were many people riding horses on the river bank heading towards the central army camp. Han Tong took the reins from the guards and led his soldiers straight to the large camp in the distance.
The atmosphere in the military camp was lively, but military discipline was still maintained. The sentries and patrols were all deployed according to the marching formation, without any disorder. The central military headquarters was located in a requisitioned dilapidated manor, which was surrounded by a large military camp.
Han Tong rode to the gate of the camp on horseback, and immediately a general came forward and saluted: "Greetings, General Han."
Han Tong nodded and got off the horse.
The general took out a piece of paper and said: Marshal Guo has ordered that General Han has arrived at the central army, and I will take you to meet him for a talk.
Han Tong was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said: Okay.
He followed the general into the camp, looked back calmly, and someone came forward to greet his personal soldiers, and led them into the camp as well, but not in the same direction.
Han Tong and the general who led the way entered a house one after the other, without saying a word on the way. When they reached a door, they saw a dozen big men in armor and weapons standing on both sides with their heads held high. The general who led the way turned around and said: "General Han, please unsheathe your sword. This is the etiquette."
Han Tong coughed, untied the sword at his waist and called over. The man put it directly on the knife rack at the door and stretched out his hand, saying: Please. Han Tong strode into the door and walked in. There was no one inside, only a chair and a table. There were no doors or windows around, only a small skylight on the tile roof, and the light in the room was relatively dim.
He sat down on the chair, and the general clasped his fists and bowed: "I am leaving now." He did not say why he was leaving, nor did he leave any instructions.
Han Tong sat there, watching the young general leave. He had roughly understood his situation, and suddenly felt a little sad and aggrieved, but that was his nature, and he didn't want to do anything that flattered him. He just thought Guo Shao was not an unreasonable person who didn't care about his merits. Now he realized that no one in the power field is kind, everyone is cruel and ruthless, and would rather betray the world than be betrayed by the world.
He felt very sad when he thought about how he had fought in countless battles, both big and small, throughout his life, but ended up dying in such a simple and dim corner.
It would be better to let me die in the battle among thousands of soldiers. Han Tong held his breath and looked around. There was only one door in the house. He thought that the person who took action would only come in through the door.
He had no weapons in his hands, but the chair he was sitting on could be used, and he could also use it to shoot arrows from the crossbow. Han Tong was ready, and he would stand up before he died, even if he was just an ordinary man.
He held his breath, staring at the door, his hands resting on his knees as he waited. The morning light shone through the door, and he took a last look at the world. It was still very quiet, and the noise of the military camp was mostly blocked by the walls, like the calm before the storm.