The three-day banquet at Jinxiang Hall was filled with singing and dancing, and the emperor and his subjects celebrated together. During the morning court session, rewards were given according to merit, from civil officials and military generals who stayed in Tokyo to soldiers from various departments. Naturally, the gold, silver, copper coins and silk in the imperial treasury flowed out in carts, and by now more than half of them had been emptied.
Guo Shao held a banquet on the 100th day of the month, and in the evening he visited the empress and concubines one by one, leaving no one behind.
After a few days of revelry, Guo Shao felt extremely tired, even more tired than when he was fighting on the front lines. It was like the Chinese New Year holiday, after which everyone was weak.
The smell of the banquet in Jinxiang Hall had not yet dissipated, and Guo Shao did not go to court, but returned to the Yangde Hall in the East Hall where he usually stayed. On the table was a pile of important memorials and files that had been handled over the past year, as well as various files.
Guo Shao hadn't dealt with domestic political affairs for a long time, so he felt a headache when he saw these things.
He decided not to look at it. Turning around, he saw that the eunuch on duty was Cao Tai, so he said: Go to the Privy Council and call Wang Pu to talk to me.
Cao Tai hurriedly said: I obey your order.
So Guo Shao sat on a couch behind a table and waited for the minister he wanted to see. There were no officials on duty in this place, and even the palace servants stood far away outside the door. The surroundings became quiet, and his impetuous mood seemed to gradually settle down.
Countless storms have subsided, and Guo Shao has calmed down. Amidst the chaos, there are two things he cannot let go of. It is time to try to control the world. Now no one can stop his will, and he can make the world run in the way he thinks is right.
Besides that, he had to fulfill a promise to a person. It was not only a promise, but also something he was willing to do.
Fu Jinzhan is the most important person to Guo Shao in his heart. Without Jinzhan, Guo Shao would never be where he is today. Back then, she was a queen from a noble family, and Guo Shao was nothing, but Jinzhan still placed everything on him. If Jinzhan wants something now, she deserves it no matter what.
If Guo Shao cannot share everything with Jinzhan and cannot compensate her, I am afraid that even if Guo Shao becomes the captain, he will still feel empty inside.
Just then, Wang Pu walked in. He lowered his eyes and glanced at the red silk that Guo Shao was playing with in his hand. He bowed and said: "This old minister is here to see you by your order."
Guo Shao said: There is no need to be so formal. Please take a seat, Envoy Wang.
Wang Pu came over, looked at the pile of files on the table, sat down carefully, and said: Your Majesty, there are two things in the court.
Oh Guo Shaodao.
Wang Pu said: The important thing is that not long ago, the ruler of Wuyue, Qian Chu, submitted a memorial to the court, wishing to come to Dongjing in person to pay tribute. The Council of State Affairs has decided to approve Qian Chu's request, and Your Majesty happened to be outside Dongjing City, so the memorial was sent to the East Hall of Jinxiang Palace.
The Wuyue Kingdom was about to surrender. Guo Shao was immediately surprised.
Wang Pu said calmly: I am afraid that is true. Wuyue is facing the sea on one side and the Great Zhou on three sides, isolating the southeast; the general trend of world unification is irresistible, and the Great Zhou must conquer Wuyue. Now your Majesty has the power to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, and even the Liao Kingdom is no match for the Great Zhou. How dare Wuyue be an enemy of the Great Zhou? If it resists with force, its people will be destroyed. Qian Chu surrendered because he had no choice.
Guo Shao said: Wuyue has always been a country that has always been respectful to the Central Plains and humble. When attacking Southern Tang, it fought side by side with the Great Zhou army and made great contributions. Today, its ruler has taken the initiative to give up his ancestral foundation for the sake of saving the army and civilians from the calamity of war. I will treat him well and ensure that his descendants will enjoy the blessings of a gentleman for five generations.
Wang Pu bowed and said: Your Majesty is wise and benevolent.
Wang Pu added: "There is another matter. Your Majesty has previously issued an order to ask the Arabs to build ships and sail to the Southern Han Kingdom. I have asked Li Xin to obtain it, and now Jiangning Port is imitating and improving the sea vessels."
Guo Shao was delighted after hearing this: "Wang Shijun and Li Xin are very helpful. Who is Li Xin?"
Wang Pudao: It was originally about the Privy Council of the Eastern Han Dynasty. At that time, the people of the Eastern Han Dynasty tried to capture our armor-making craftsmen and ordered Li Xin to be responsible for imitating them. The Eastern Han Dynasty was destroyed, and Li Xin was imprisoned for this crime. He was released a few months ago.
Guo Shao was in a good mood because both of the two reports he heard today were good news. He immediately said: Hedong was originally the land of the Nine Provinces, but now it has returned to the Central Plains, and its subjects are all innocent. Li Xin has made great contributions and will be rewarded handsomely.
Wang Pu immediately said: "I acted on my own initiative and promised Li Xin in advance that after the matter was completed, I would ask for an imperial decree to appoint him as the envoy of the Ministry of Guests. I am asking for an imperial decree now. I wonder if it is appropriate."
Guo Shao smiled and said: How can I let a dignified Privy Councilor break his promise? I can immediately give him a letter of appointment and send someone to commend his merits.
He then flipped through the pile of files on the table, wondering where the shipbuilding blueprints were.
Although he was originally overwhelmed by seeing so many things, Guo Shao suddenly developed a strong interest in the more advanced ships.
Wang Pu said: Li Xin only submitted a memorial, but no drawings of the ship. It is said that the construction drawings are quite complicated, and it is likely that a few words will not be enough to make it clear.
Guo Shaodao: Ask Li Xin to send someone knowledgeable to the capital to meet the emperor, and I will talk to him.
Wang Pudao: I obey your order.
Guo Shao said generously: First build a few sea vessels for sea trials. If they are suitable for use, the shipyard can report to the Ministry of Revenue or the Imperial Treasury and request the allocation of money and grain. I fully support this matter.
Now the Northern Expedition has been very costly, and the treasury is becoming increasingly empty. But Guo Shao is very willing to give up such technological progress, after all, his ideas are very different from those of the ancients.
When Wang Pu returned to the Privy Council from Jinxiang Palace, he immediately sent someone to the relevant department to get the appointment letter in the name of the imperial edict. He also sent someone to ask Li Xin to come to the Privy Council for a meeting.
When Li Xin entered Wang Pu's study to meet him under the attention of the officials of the Privy Council, Wang Pu took out the appointment letter and said directly: I said before that you would be the guest provincial envoy, and this is the appointment letter.
In the Zhou Dynasty, being an official was still the most popular path. It was as difficult as ascending to heaven for those without connections to be appointed an official. However, Wang Pu lightly fulfilled his official position. The position of the guest minister was not low.
Li Xin hurriedly expressed his gratitude.
Wang Pu added: “In the future, the court will send officials to commend Li Shijun, and the government will also reward him with money.”
I dare not. Li Xin heard the call and answered hurriedly.
Wang Pu is a smart man who uses practical benefits as a means to control others. But one good thing about him is that he keeps his word. He says that the guests are more considerate and will never make excuses to shirk his responsibilities afterwards.
Li Xin was rescued from prison by Wang Pu, and he soon realized what kind of person Wang Pu was, so he was still very attentive to his work. It was good that way, there were no more twists and turns. We officials do things just to get promoted, make money, and bring honor to our family. Why talk so much nonsense
At this moment, Wang Pu glanced at the door and gave a wink.
Li Xin bent over and glanced at the door, not understanding what he meant. He walked to the door, thought for a moment, and was about to close the door. Turning back and seeing Wang Pu nod, he quickly closed the door carefully.
When he came back, he heard Wang Pu say in a deep voice: The emperor is very satisfied with what you have done. If you work hard, you will have a bright future. Li Shijun, you know that the guest envoys of this dynasty are not ordinary. Zan Jurun used to be a guest envoy. Now he is assisting the cabinet. He is a minister summoned by the emperor at any time. He has the hope of becoming a prime minister in the future.
Li Xin glared and said: "I dare not overestimate my ability. I am a criminal. I am very lucky to be able to get a position."
Wang Pu sneered and said: Being granted a title of nobility and appointed as prime minister, there is nothing wrong with that if you think about it.
Li Xin hesitated for a moment and asked, "What do you want, Lord Wang?"
Wang Pu said: At the next grand court session, you will make a memorial in front of all the civil and military officials, requesting the emperor to change the country's name and establish a new imperial court.
Li Xin was so shocked after hearing this that his sleeves began to tremble.
Wang Pudao: After the Tang Dynasty, there were Liang, Tang, Jin, Han and Zhou dynasties. The country was divided into five parts, and the Khitan invaded and occupied the mountains and rivers. Now the emperor has destroyed all the countries, unified the country, expelled the Khitan, and restored the orthodoxy. His great achievements are unparalleled in ancient and modern times, and he should rebuild the foundation for eternity.
Li Xin said in a trembling voice: Didn't the emperor recognize the founding emperor of the Great Zhou as the Taizu? If you say this, you won't be exterminated.
Wang Pudao: Zhou Taizu is not from the same lineage as the present emperor. Although they are of the same clan, they are actually two families. The present emperor was favored by the Great Zhou Dynasty and was granted the Xu Kingdom. If it were not for his great achievements in civil and military affairs and his great contributions to future generations, this old minister would not support this move. But today, with his achievements, he can be called a saint and is qualified to revive the great unity of China.
Li Xin was so frightened that his face turned pale, because this matter was too serious.
Wang Pu said coldly: I am giving you a chance. Fortune and wealth must be sought through risk. Most people who want to get involved don’t have the opportunity or way to do so.
Yes, yes. Li Xin did not comment.
Wang Pu asked: Are you afraid that I will use you as a pawn and send you to your death
Li Xin hurriedly said: "I dare not, I have no such intention."
Wang Pu's words are so harsh that he can't even embellish them.
Wang Pu said calmly: "You don't have to have such thoughts. It was me who pulled you out of prison and recommended you to Empress Duanci, and I also asked for an official position for you. Today, I invited you to my study for a private talk, and everyone in the Privy Council was watching. In the eyes of others, you are no different from my cronies. If this matter is a pit of fire, if I let you jump into it, I will be implicated."
Yes, it was Li Xin who was speechless.
Wang Pu spoke very sharply and directly: "Don't worry, Li Shijun, I have seen it clearly. If we don't go, someone else will." I didn't go into battle myself because major events must have a process and cannot lose the order. With your official position and status, it is just right to write a letter, which will also save the emperor's face. People who don't know think that people like Li Shijun are eager to seek official positions and want to gain a foothold in the court, so they take risks, and it is definitely not the emperor's suggestion.
Li Xin's face looked particularly ugly. After all, he was a scholar and it was really uncomfortable to be spoken of so badly. Fortunately, there was no one else here, and Wang Pu was the Privy Councilor, so he had the qualifications to say a few words to belittle him.
Anyway, even though Li Xin got promoted and became rich thanks to Wang Pu, he didn't have a good impression of Wang Pu.
Wang Pu added: “It is urgent to talk about it today, so you should go back and prepare with peace of mind. While you are taking up your post in the guest province, you can think about this matter at the same time.”
Li Xin hurriedly said: Thank you very much, Envoy Wang, for your advice.
Wang Pu waved his hand. Li Xin left immediately.
When he came out of the Privy Council and left the Imperial City, he was still a little dazed when he got on the carriage. He looked back and couldn't remember how he got out of the Imperial City.