Cao Bin learned from the spies that Liu Jixing was really preparing to burn down the imperial palace in Xingwang Mansion with his army at the gates of the city. The moat of Southern Han was turned into a pond to plant lotus flowers, and it was said that all the weapons and armor were embroidered. It was really absurd that the ruler of Southern Han did not want to organize the army to prepare for war, but wanted to burn his own palace and property. However, there were rumors that Liu Jixing was incompetent, and Cao Bin believed that he was really going to do such a stupid thing.
Cao Bin had to admit that Liu Jixing's trick was somewhat effective. In the past two years, the imperial court had expanded its military and waged wars year after year, which had consumed a huge amount of money. The monarch and his ministers attached great importance to the property that would be confiscated from the capital of Southern Han.
Apart from fighting a war with Wu and Vietnam, the Southern Han Kingdom also had many years of recuperation and accumulated a lot of wealth from overseas trade with various countries, making it very wealthy.
But Cao Bin could not agree to Liu Jixing's terms. The army had traveled thousands of miles and was not far from the capital. However, Prince Xing's palace had no military preparations and even the city walls were frivolous. It was impossible for Cao Bin to withdraw his troops.
Just when Cao Bin was in a dilemma, Qianniu Bei Lu Duan asked for a meeting.
Lu Duan offered a suggestion: This matter of Cao Gong can be solved by persuading one person to surrender.
Cao Bin was at a loss, so he asked: Who
Fan Huzi. Lü Duan said.
Cao Bin suddenly understood. The last time Lü Duan gave advice on military affairs, Cao Bin thought it was stupid and taken for granted, but this time he thought it was more clever. Cao Bin was even a little annoyed: It's such a simple thing, why didn't I think of it? Maybe he is not good at thinking in an unconventional way.
Fan Huzi was originally a witch who pretended to be a god and sold talismans and water that could cure all diseases. One day, she claimed that the Jade Emperor had appeared in her dream and told her that she was the state teacher and that the emperor needed her to ensure peace and prosperity for the country. The ruler of Southern Han actually believed her and hurriedly appointed her as the state teacher.
Fan Huzi recruited a group of women and eunuchs as his followers, spoke on behalf of the emperor, and recommended these people to Liu Jixing. The Southern Han Dynasty gained another female prime minister, Lu Qiongxian.
If he could really win over Fan Huzi and ask her to speak for the gods, since the King of Southern Han is so stupid, maybe he would really listen.
Cao Bin asked: How can we win over such people? What conditions do we need
Lu Duan looked calm and composed, as if he had completely forgotten the last time he was scolded for giving advice, and said: I don't want anything.
He went on: Just giving her a wake-up call is enough.
Cao Bin asked again: Which sentence
Lu Duan said: When the Xingwang Mansion was destroyed, the ruler of Southern Han might still be crowned a king or a marquis. How could she escape
After hearing this, Cao Bin paced a few steps in the tent, turned around and looked at Lu Duan and said: "Lü Qianniu is going to Xingwang Mansion as an envoy. If you can handle this, I will personally ask for credit for you."
Lu Duan looked embarrassed, as if he didn't want to do this job. Cao Bin knew the reason very well. Now the Zhou army was fighting with the Southern Han army. No matter what, going to the capital of Southern Han would definitely be life-threatening.
Cao Bin advised again: "Lu Qianniu, you know that in my opinion, Lu Duosun will become the prime minister sooner or later."
Lü Duan then said: "I don't care much about fame and fortune. But since this plan came from me, it's not convenient to pass it on to others."
Cao Bin nodded and praised: Lu Qianniu is very sensible.
Lu Duan said: To be honest, I am a very confused person.
More than a month later, the ruler of Southern Han suddenly changed his attitude and sent a letter expressing his willingness to surrender. Cao Bin immediately looked at Lu Duan with admiration.
When he met Lü Duan again, Cao Bin said: Fan Huzi is not short of money. The Great Zhou court is not the Southern Han Dynasty. It is impossible to give an official position to a woman who pretends to be a ghost. In addition to asking for the protection of her life and property, what other conditions did Lü Qianniu agree to for Fan Huzi
Lu Duan bowed and said: Fan Huzi and his entourage want to see Your Majesty.
Cao Bin frowned and pondered for a moment, then asked, "Have you seen Fan Huzi? How is she?"
Lu Duan said: A middle-aged woman who likes to dress up as a man.
Cao Bin was even more puzzled and asked Lu Duan.
Lu Duan replied: I am confused and don’t understand.
Cao Bin was still puzzled, so he said: As long as it is not a withdrawal of troops, other conditions can be found. Although I have not asked for permission at this time, if I let Your Majesty see someone, I can avoid more casualties and obtain a large amount of wealth from the treasury of the Southern Han Dynasty, and Your Majesty will definitely agree.
Lu Duan bowed and said: I think so too.
The war with the Southern Han Kingdom ended, and the intensity of the fighting was not fierce. When Guo Shao received the victory report, his troops had already entered the Central Plains and would soon reach the capital.
It was already autumn, with an easterly wind blowing in the air, and a chill was already coming in. However, the timing of this western tour was also clever, as we left the northwest at the right time, otherwise the northwest would be even colder now.
After Cao Bin captured Shaozhou, Guo Shao only looked at the map and knew that there was no leader in the Southern Han Kingdom. Now that the news came, he was not surprised, but he was surprised that the battle was so fast.
Wei Renpu, Lu Duosun and others who were accompanying him entered the camp to congratulate on the great victory.
Someone mentioned the Wuyue Kingdom. Now the Wuyue Kingdom was isolated in the southeast, but still had no intention of surrendering. A general asked for permission to lead troops to besiege Wuyue with Cao Bin from north to south, but Guo Shao refused without hesitation: There was no need.
After a moment, Guo Shao added: If the Wu Yue Kingdom does not surrender voluntarily after our dynasty conquers Youzhou, it would be a lack of understanding of the current situation; if we attack now, there will be an unnecessary war.
After hearing this, everyone fell silent, because Guo Shao meant that he had already made up his mind to launch another northern expedition.
After a while, Wei Renpu and others discussed rewards according to merit.
Guo Shao's eyes immediately turned to Lu Duoxun, without any hesitation, Lu Duoxun should definitely be promoted this time. As for Cao Bin and others, the rewards were very clear, just according to the merits.
Some people who are difficult to get promoted, such as Wei Renpu, who made great contributions in presiding over the Western Tour, can be given an honorary position and their salary increased.
There was only one person who made Guo Shao feel a little difficult to deal with: Lu Xiaoniang.
Although the Southern Han Kingdom was weak, Cao Bin was unlucky this time and was trapped by the miasma. If it weren't for Lu Xiaoniang, the outcome of the attack on the Southern Han Kingdom would be unpredictable.
Lu Xiaoniang was a woman, so she could not be given an official title or an imperial decree, and she had not yet married. But Guo Shao was very grateful to her in his heart. He could not say that he had a clear distinction between gratitude and resentment, but he knew very well who had done him a favor.
The positions of one queen and four wives in the imperial palace are now full, and Lu Xiaoniang can only be a concubine at most. In Guo Shao's opinion, apart from a few concubines with higher status, there is not much difference between other palace women and concubines; and once they have a status, being locked up in the imperial palace for life, is it really a good thing for Lu Lan
Many women from the common people still want to enter the palace. If they can gain some status in the palace, it would be a great thing. But that's because most women lack fine clothes and delicious food, so they care about it.
Guo Shao sat in the upper seat and thought: How can I repay her