Warrior in Turbulent Han Dynasty

Chapter 54: Words are precious as gold

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Guo Shao said it was a misunderstanding and invited Wang Pu to a teahouse outside Xihua Gate for tea and snacks. Unexpectedly, Wang Pu was very gracious and sent someone to send his son Wang Yizheng home first, and then had morning tea with Guo Shao.

Outside Xihua Gate, to the north is the Jinshui River. There are many wine shops, tea houses and restaurants on the south bank of the Jinshui River, which can earn money from the people who eat the emperor's food; because there are many government offices inside and outside Xihua Gate. There are many government officials working and doing activities here, so it is normal to see people wearing official uniforms and armor. Many waiters have seen high-ranking officials at the prime minister level.

Wang Pu and Guo Shao found a quiet place with a street outside and sat down. Wang Pu probably knew that Guo Shao was a military commander, so he naturally did not talk about elegant topics such as poetry and songs. If he wanted to talk, he could only talk about Xiao Ya Mo Xiao Er Lang, just joking.

Guo Shao took the initiative to speak: "I heard General Xiang say last time that when the army returned from the Jinyang Campaign, the government rewarded the troops according to their merits. Thanks to the recommendation of the prince, I was able to be promoted to the Inner Palace Guard. I have always wanted to come to your house to thank you, but I was afraid of being abrupt. I am grateful, please accept my greeting."

Wang Pu waved his hands and said: "Forget it, forget it. The market is not the place for bowing and saluting. I recommend talents to the emperor, which is just my duty. There is no need to thank me. Besides, my recommendation is just icing on the cake. I dare not take credit for it. The queen also appreciates Guo Lang's loyalty and bravery."

Wang Pu was so kind to him today that the prime minister was easily invited out by a mid-level officer. He probably thought that Guo Shao had connections with the Queen's Fu family.

Guo Shao then told the truth: When I was young, I served as a soldier in Prince Wei's palace.

Wang Pu saw that he was unwilling to talk, so of course he did not ask any more questions. But it seemed that Wang Pu did not believe Guo Shao's explanation at all. There were too many soldiers in the Fu family's mansion. Could it be that everyone who had worked for the Fu family could be promoted by the queen herself

At this time, Wang Pu said: Guo Lang is going to change his military post in the Imperial Guard Department, and then go on a western expedition with Xiang Xun. You should have heard about it.

Yes, I have heard the news. Guo Shaodao, it’s just that I’m suddenly in charge of so many soldiers. I have no experience before, so I’m still a little uneasy.

Wang Pu said: "It's not difficult. The military power is in your hands. Except for not being able to mobilize troops in Tokyo without authorization, you have the final say in other matters in the army. The power of life and death, reward and punishment is in the hands of others. How dare those generals disobey your orders and please you?"

"What the Lord Wang said is absolutely right," Guo Shao pondered. He heard that Wang Pu was willing to talk about this matter, but he hadn't said anything useful yet, so he wanted to continue to encourage him.

He thought to himself: It is obvious that the Queen wants to promote me. She has promised to marry Fu Ermei off. She is not just talking. But the Queen is a member of the harem after all. Not only can she not personally support me, but it is also not good to send people from the inner palace too frequently and too conspicuously. It is inconvenient for the Queen to be behind the scenes.

In this situation, how could Guo Shao rely on the queen for everything? He only hoped that the queen could help him at a critical moment, which was very rare. He had to figure out what to do specifically. Right now, he was trying to find a way out and make plans with Wang Pu.

Guo Shao pondered and said: Having said that, after all, I am young and inexperienced. If the soldiers are not obedient, using torture and severe punishment to suppress them is not a solution.

Wang Pu nodded, paused for a long time, and then said softly: The day after tomorrow, Shi Yanchao will inspect the outer city defense in the south. After he said that, he stood up and said: It is time for the morning shift, I can't delay for long, I have to return to the government office. We will talk another day.

Just now the two of them were chatting leisurely, but suddenly Wang Pu became anxious, as if to express with body language: That’s all I have to say, take care of yourself.

Guo Shao hurriedly said: I will see the prince off.

Shi Yanchao The most important person in Wang Pu's words today is Shi Yanchao. When mentioning this guy, Guo Shao first thought of him beheading innocent women who were captured by the rebels without asking any questions; then there was the scene where he was pierced with arrows like a straw boat borrowing arrows. Although Guo Shao also figured out that Shi Yanchao's behavior was normal in this era, he still had a resistance to his attitude of completely disregarding human life. Anyway, Guo Shao didn't have much good feelings for Shi Yanchao privately.

Of course, this does not affect the main business. Guo Shao has come to this point. If he follows his personal preferences completely, how can he still try his best to make things happen

If Shi Yanchao had not died in Xinkou, how could Wang Pu have said that he would inspect the city defense

This guy was the vanguard commander during the Jinyang Campaign, Guo Shao knew that at the time; Wang Pu must have known what position he held after returning to the capital, but he didn't say it. Wang Pu was a man who talked a lot of nonsense, but was very frugal when it came to the key points. Damn, if he had said it more clearly and in more detail, he wouldn't have to bother thinking hard in the barracks now.

At this time, Wang Shenqi came into the room and asked: Is that young man the son of Prime Minister Wang Pu

Guo Shao nodded: Yes, that's right, but he was taken home by his father for discipline.

The two of them laughed for a while.

Guo Shao thought: Wang Shenqi might know what Shi Yanchao is doing now, so it would be easier to ask him. But Guo Shao recalled that Wang Pu's voice was very soft when he said that, and he was leaving without saying anything more. Maybe this matter should not be publicized.

At the last banquet in Xiang Xun's mansion, Wang Shenqi came in chatting and laughing with Zhao Kuangyin's group, so he should be Zhao Kuangyin's man. Guo Shao certainly knew that Zhao Kuangyin was a great man who later became Emperor Taizu of Song, but precisely because of this, he subconsciously became wary and cautious.

What's more, Wang Shenqi and his men are all military officers of the Palace Front Division, and Guo Shao will soon leave the Palace Front Division and go to the Guard Division. It is not a good idea to ask them about irrelevant matters.

Guo Shao planned to ask Zuo You. Zuo You had always been a minor official, but he seemed to be very familiar with and concerned about some official affairs. Last time he was asked to go to Kaifeng Prefecture to handle the matter of Yuzhen Temple, he did it very well.

No one knows where Zuo You has gone these past two days, and he hasn't been seen at all. After returning to Beijing, this guy quit his job as a clerk, and all day long he either helps Guo Shao with his work or is idling around.

Guo Shao went out of the camp and found Luo Mengzi. He told him not to stay on duty in the camp, but to wait at Zuo You's house. Once he found Zuo You, he asked him to meet him at Guo Shao's house at 4 p.m.

At the hour of You, Guo Shao went straight home and, as expected, ran into Zuo You in front of the mansion gate. He then invited him to talk in the living room in the outer courtyard.

Zuo You said: "My lord Shi Yanchao, why are you still asking about Wang Shenqi? Why don't you just come back and ask me? I heard that you were promoted to the Hujie Army of the Imperial Guard. I have already asked everyone related to the Imperial Guard about everything."

Guo Shao was overjoyed, thinking who said that scholars in troubled times were useless, fortunately he had Zuo You to help him. This man was unknown and unknown, so it was easy to get him, but it was true that many military generals could not get one or two truly useful staff members. Zuo You was not very good at treating wounded soldiers. I remember that on the way to Wuqi Town, people were constantly killed by him. However, when he returned to Tokyo, he was quite familiar with the officialdom, far beyond the knowledge of an ordinary clerk.

Zuo You said: Shi Yanchao lost all the elite cavalry of the vanguard camp in the battle of Xinkou, and was first demoted to the left wing commander of the Hujie Army and the governor of the Gande Army; but after returning to Tokyo, the emperor reiterated his bravery and selfless record in the battle of Gaoping and promoted him again. Now he is the military commander of the imperial guard Sima Bujun and the governor of Zhenning.

In addition to Shi Yanchao, I also know other people in the Imperial Guards Division, and the commander-in-chief is Li Chongjin. My lord must have heard of Li Chongjin, he is the nephew of Taizu Guo Wei; Taizu is his biological uncle. Zuo You paused and stepped forward and whispered, Taizu is the uncle of the emperor, but he adopted the emperor as his adopted son. Taizu and Li Chongjin are even closer, at least they are related by blood; the emperor is a relative of Taizu's wife, but he is an adopted son. With what I said, can my lord figure out what the emperor thinks of Li Chongjin

Guo Shao thought for a moment and nodded slightly.

Zuo You added: "However, Li Chongjin was also a military general of the Palace Front Division before. During the Taizu period, he served in the Inner Palace, the Small Army, the Imperial Household Inspector, the Palace Front Division Commander-in-Chief, and other positions. He has been working in the Palace Front Division. He was only transferred to the Imperial Guard Division at the beginning of this year when the emperor ascended the throne. I am afraid that his foundation in the Imperial Guard Division is not deep enough."

Just now, the lord said that Prime Minister Wang only mentioned Shi Yanchao, and he probably thought so. Shi Yanchao was different. He worked from the Tiger Jie Army to the Dragon Jie Army, and then to the Imperial Guards Ma and Infantry Division. He has been here all the time. After thinking about it and speculating, it is certain that Shi Yanchao has many acquaintances in the Imperial Guards Division and has a deep foundation.

Guo Shao nodded frequently, saying that Zuo You was good at this, and he would share everything he knew. Guo Shao also felt the difference between powerful and grassroots writers, the world of difference between Wang Pu and Zuo You.

Wang Pu was the prime minister. Even though he knew that Guo Shao had a relationship with the queen, he gave him face, but he always pretended to be cool and arrogant, which made you half-understand him. Zuo You, on the other hand, was different. He was a minor official with no family background and no connections from his parents. He had almost no way out. When he met someone who appreciated him, he no longer cared about his moral integrity and devoted himself to following him.

Zuo You added: "Prime Minister Wang mentioned Shi Yanchao because he wanted you to use his prestige to build up your prestige in the army before you go to war. Although Shi Yanchao will not directly lead the Tiger and Defeat Army, he is the best candidate because you, my lord, saved his life."

Guo Shao frowned and said, "I don't think he appreciated it much. General Xiang Xun has done more than me. He has lost most of his capital to save Shi Yanchao's most elite troops. What is Shi Yanchao's attitude?"

Zuo You chuckled: My lord, you are also a general, and you don't understand the ways of the world. Shi Yanchao is just trying to save face and suffer. He thinks he is the best in the world and is too humble to do anything. In fact, as long as you take the initiative to find him and give him enough face, Shi Yanchao will definitely go down the stairs.

I'm begging for support for fighting ghosts. I've fallen down the monthly ticket list. Give Xifeng a chance to explode. I'm crying and begging everyone to help.

Summary of tips: A small payout of 100 coins and a large payout of 10,000 coins are more cost-effective, the one in between is not cost-effective.