The ruler of Southern Han came to see him, but he looked pale and his steps were unsteady, just like he was drained by alcohol and sex. This guy was stubborn and refused to surrender before the war. But Guo Shao still followed the agreement with the ministers and did not kill him. He even made him the Duke of Chu. The ruler of Wuyue had not surrendered yet, so he had to wait and see how the Zhou court treated him.
After meeting the ruler of Southern Han, he also sent for his imperial teacher Fan Huzi to meet him.
In full view of everyone, a woman with a bun and wearing a Taoist robe walked into the hall. On her back was a very exaggerated Bagua pattern embroidered, and she had a beard on her mouth. Even so, she was obviously a woman.
Such an unusual person appeared very unique at the royal banquet, and people looked at her curiously.
It is said that this woman played a big role in the surrender of the Southern Han Dynasty. Cao Bin also kept his word and really brought her to see the emperor, so Guo Shao met this woman.
But Guo Shao soon understood Fan Huzi's intention to meet the emperor. Her meeting with the emperor was not the point. The key was that there was someone beside her, a very beautiful woman.
If one were to compare her beauty with that of her second sister and Zhou Xian, it would be hard to tell who was better, but Zhou Xian and the others certainly did not have the charm and wantonness of this woman.
The woman was wearing a white dress with gold edges and her upper arms were made of translucent gauze. She had a graceful figure and her clothes fluttered in the wind. She walked lightly and elegantly with a unique charm. Her skin was delicate and white like snow. Most women wearing such plain white clothes could not resist the color, but this woman looked even whiter.
Her hair was black and her eyes were bright and white. Her big eyes were not smiling, but they were full of life. She was very bold and didn't stick to etiquette. She looked at Guo Shao with her eyes. It was hard to describe her charming eyes. At first glance, she hinted at some strong feelings. Her eyes were a little resentful, but very bright. With the subtle movement of biting her lips, it seemed as if she was aroused all of a sudden. However, her figure was graceful and there was no place for people to catch her.
This woman didn't smile coquettishly, but she looked like a woman who could let go. Guo Shao sat there holding his breath.
The two of them knelt down and saluted. The woman in white said in a tender voice: "I am the Prime Minister of the Southern Han Dynasty, Lu Qiongxian. Now I have become a minister of a fallen country. No matter how Your Majesty treats me, I have no choice but to obey."
The voice was pitiful and coquettish, and the words were so suggestive that it was easy for Guo Shao to associate them with letting anyone pick them.
Even Fu Ermei couldn't stand it anymore. She turned her head and frowned and said to Guo Shao: I don't like this woman. She has an evil spirit.
Guo Shaodao: Let’s not worry too much about the people Cao Bin brought back.
At this time, Wang Zhong, who was standing beside him, observed Guo Shao's expression. Guo Shao saw the way Wang Zhong understood the emperor's will, and felt a little excited and expectant for a moment.
Guo Shao said calmly: Please take your seats.
Thank you, Your Majesty. The two girls left gracefully.
Guo Shao's eyes were observing Lu Qiongxian's figure intentionally or unintentionally. The days of success and joy made people feel comfortable and relaxed. The charming Lu Qiongxian had an advantage that she was more relaxed. Otherwise, how could she flirt with Guo Shao without any pressure in front of her former master Liu Jixing
At this moment, Wang Zhong clapped his hands lightly, and the musician immediately played a piece of music. A group of dancers entered the palace one after another. Zhou Xian, who was wearing a dance costume, came out last. She only wore white socks, and her steps were light, but she was also beautiful and charming. Zhou Xian walked onto the wooden platform, looking a little shy, and said softly: On this festive occasion, I will present a feathered dress dance for your majesty and the queen. Please forgive me for making fun of you. After that, she bowed gently.
Guo Shao laughed, stretched out his hand as a gesture of invitation, then turned to Fu Ermei and said: Zhou Ehuang danced very well.
Fu Ermei also watched with interest and a smile. She seemed to have no prejudice against Zhou Xian. Zhou Xian was decent and dignified, not frivolous.
The sound of the piano rose and fell, and the dancers on the wooden stage did not stop, dragging their long skirts and walking in a circle. Zhou Xian also gently blended into the crowd. The circle became smaller and smaller. With the sound of a melodious flute, the women suddenly leaned back, their waists were very flexible, and Zhou Xian stood up from the middle, and stretched his long sleeves to both sides. The satin flew into the air like a cloud, which immediately impacted people's vision.
Guo Shao discovered that today's colorful dance had some new and interesting changes compared to the one he saw last time.
The dancers on the stage were dancing in an alternating manner. Zhou Xian's dance was different from everyone else's. If you listened carefully, you could hear the crisp sound of metal hitting underneath the musicians' drums, and the two rhythms blended seamlessly into one.
Zhou Xian's body jumped lightly into the air, and everyone was shocked. Even Guo Shao was wondering if she could do Qinggong.
Upon closer inspection, it turns out that she is not flying, but a visual illusion caused by dancing. Because the dancers around her are dancing very fast, she leaps into the air relatively slowly, and her figure is very steady, with her long sleeves fluttering, as if she is flying lightly.
His Highness, his ministers, and their wives all applauded.
Guo Shao also gradually got into the mood and laughed. The red lanterns on the palace were dazzling and the dancing of the beauties was dazzling. Guo Shao was dazzled. It was very pleasant to feel so happy and indulgent occasionally.
After the song was over, Zhou Xian stepped down, changed his clothes, and went to the guest seat to participate in the banquet.
The palace maids served wine and food one after another, the singing and dancing on the stage continued, and cups and plates were intertwined in the hall.
After the excitement, General Yang Biao and Zuo You went on stage to perform the military drama. The two were well-known figures in the court, and everyone knew them. Seeing their acquaintances making jokes, they became even more involved, and the hall was filled with laughter.
Seeing Yang Biao's silly look, Guo Shao didn't care about his appearance and laughed so hard that he fell forward and backward. Even Fu Ermei used her sleeves to cover her red lips and curved eyes, and her shoulders were shaking.
When everyone was enjoying themselves, only Jingniang noticed a eunuch walking quickly towards them. She also smiled, but her eyes kept glancing at the eunuch who was walking quickly with his head down.
The eunuch quietly walked up the steps and looked at Jingniang. Jingniang made a slight gesture, and the eunuch walked up to Guo Shao, bowed his head and whispered: "Emergency news from Hebei: Khitan invaded last night, took advantage of the slackness of Yizhou during the festival, opened the city gates, and captured Yizhou."
Guo Shao's smile suddenly froze on his face, and instantly became very ugly.
It was so sudden, just like a basin of cold water suddenly poured on a hot coal fire.
The joyful laughter immediately became shrill, and the crowd in front of him seemed so stiff, as if their souls were suddenly sucked out. Guo Shao felt a little dazed.
Fu Ermei's voice said: Husband, what's wrong? What happened
After the coolness, a wave of anger gradually rose. Mid-Autumn Festival is a festival of reunion. The Khitans actually invaded the border at this time. If I remember correctly, Mid-Autumn Festival is also a festival that the Khitans celebrate.
Guo Shao took a long breath. Not wanting to get angry in front of everyone, he stood up and said to Fu Ermei: I'll be back soon.
Yang Biao and Zuo You, who were performing the military drama, also noticed that Guo Shao had left the stage, so the performance came to a halt. Everyone stopped smiling and looked over, confused.
Guo Shao left the main hall and retreated to a study in the back hall. Soon Wang Pu, Wei Renpu and several generals followed.
Guo Shao took the urgent report from the eunuch and read it. It described in great detail the scene of the Khitans rushing into the city on the eve of the festival, burning, killing and looting. The more Guo Shao read, the more angry he became. He suddenly slammed his palm on the table, but the wood was not very strong and the table collapsed immediately.
The inkstone above fell to the ground with a clanging sound.
The people in the study were horrified and knelt on the ground, shouting: "Your Majesty, please calm down.
Wang Pu raised his head and looked at the eunuch Wang Zhong calmly. Wang Zhong bent down to pick up the report on the ground and handed it to Wang Pu, and several people passed it to each other.
Guo Shao said: "You all should get up. I am not angry with you. It is really the Khitans who have gone too far. They are like beasts and have no humanity at all."
Seeing Guo Shao's face flushed with anger, everyone dared not speak. Only Wang Pu advised: "Since ancient times, the northerners have been plundering the border for a thousand years, and this is inevitable. Now it is autumn, and the horses in the north are strong and fat. Sun Xingyou, the governor of Yizhou, neglected autumn defense, which led to the breach of the city. He must be punished."
Guo Shao frowned and said: In the past, the Khitan invaded the border, only plundering farmland, rarely occupying the city. Now they are heading straight to Yizhou City. What do they want to do
Wei Renpu pondered and said: "I think that the Liao army is also here to plunder and harass. They are unlikely to march into Juma Henan. In the past, the Khitans were unwilling to defend the city. They only defended Youzhou in the entire northern Hebei. Once my army marches north, the Liao army will retreat."
Generals such as Wang Pu and Li Chuyun said: We second the motion.
Li Chuyun sighed: "It's just the autumn harvest, and the granaries in Yizhou are full. This is a bargain for the Liao army. The people in Hebei have just finished the autumn harvest, and their food has been robbed. I'm afraid there will be famine next year."
Guo Shao was furious and paced back and forth. He thought for a long time and said with a sullen face: I will lead the army in person and drive the Khitans north in the near future.
Wang Pu advised: "Your Majesty, please think twice. The Liao Kingdom is not strong enough to advance southward at this time. It must be a harassment. When the imperial army went north, the Liao army had already fled far away. The losses in Hebei were not enough to cover the cost of mobilizing the imperial army once."
Guo Shao originally wanted to march north, but he didn't expect the Liao people to start the war first. He immediately said: According to the strategy discussed by the court before, there is no way to take shortcuts in the war with the Liao Kingdom, and we can only fight for a long time. Since the Liao people have started the war today, we don't have to give in. You can discuss the strategy of marching north in the near future and share my worries.
The ministers looked at each other and said nothing.
The next morning, Fan Zhi was the first to write a letter opposing the Northern Expedition. The reason was that the national treasury was in deficit due to years of war, and the people were exhausted. The war with the Liao Kingdom had just been launched at the beginning of this year, and two major wars could not be carried out in a year.
This time is different from the last time. Many people questioned the success of the Northern Expedition, but some people were unwilling to report it.
... ...