I will be the master of Xuande

Chapter 665: Invite Mr. Dong to Beijing

"Dong Gong, after you, who is the person in this world who can continue the new policy of the imperial court without being abandoned by the prominent families in the Central Plains?"

"There is only one Prime Minister Liu today. You can't deny this, Mr. Dong, right?"

Anyway, these words touched upon Dong Zhuo's vital point.

He fell silent then.

Yes, Dong Zhuo lived for more than 60 years. He had done everything in his life, whether he was a frontier official or a powerful minister in the court.

He had suffered hardships, experienced glory, promoted the New Deal reforms, and had others killed in the border wars. It can be said that Dong Zhuo's life was worth living.

But Dong Zhuo's life is worth living, but what about the Dong family?
Dong Zhuo offended many people in his life. He held a high position and implemented the New Deal, and had formed an undying trend with the prominent families in the Central Plains.

As Fazheng said, after his death, once the New Deal is abolished, the prominent families in the Central Plains who control the overall situation of the court will inevitably liquidate his Dong family.

By that time, if he is dead, who will protect his Dong family?
Pointing at these Xiliang generals under his command?I'm afraid it's simply impossible.

If he died, these generals would all go their separate ways. Dong Zhuo knew this very well.

As for his brother Dong Min, his nephew Dong Huang... well, or his son-in-law Niu Fu... they are not very powerful people. They can deal with ordinary people, but they can't deal with those old fritters in the court. I'm afraid they have to eat up all the bones and dregs.

Dong Zhuo saw Fazheng and said, "What are Liu Deran's plans?"

Not wanting to, Fazheng asked: "How does Mr. Dong think this matter should be handled?"

Dong Zhuo frowned: "What do you mean by this? I don't understand."

"Dong Gong, the Dong family is your family, and as an important official of the current dynasty, you naturally have the responsibility to think of a good future for the family. In your opinion, where is the future of the Dong family?"

This question is quite heartbreaking.

Under today's circumstances, Dong Zhuo certainly knew where his family's future lay.

Fazheng had already analyzed it for himself just now. Now Dong Zhuo has been completely tied to Liu Jian's boat because of the implementation of the New Deal.

If the Dong family wants to ensure that they are not exterminated, they can only support Liu Jian and ensure that Liu Jian continues to implement the New Deal. Only in this way can they be saved.

Dong Zhuo understood, but he felt a little aggrieved.

Logically speaking, he was originally the most powerful person in the world, but now he has been reduced to asking Liu Jian to protect his family.

Even Dong Zhuo couldn't accept this huge ups and downs for a moment.

But now for Dong Zhuo, he himself doesn't matter. After all, he is already at this age, how many years can he live?
But if his family suffers disaster because of his own arbitrariness, then he will become the eternal sinner of the Dong family.

In this patriarchal society, what could be more important than family?
Personal interests are not interests at all, only family interests are real interests.

Even if you are from Liangzhou, you are not exempt from vulgarity in this aspect.

Family is always a pain in the hearts of people in this era, and it is also an unparalleled support for people in this era.

When he thought of this, Dong Zhuo's heart couldn't help but twitch.

He turned around and saw Dong Min standing beside him. Looking at Dong Min's helpless and nervous look, Dong Gong sighed.

Alas, if there was another person in my clan who was just like me, why would this be the case?
But unfortunately, there are no ifs in this world.

The prominent families in the Central Plains were at odds with him, and although Liu Deran was very cunning and good at making schemes, Dong Zhuo knew that he was a man of his word.

Over the years, Liu Jian's reputation in the Han Dynasty was really good, especially his treatment of his subordinates and friends, which could be described as affectionate and righteous. Even Dong Zhuo believed in him.

Dong Zhuo and Liu Jian had no hatred before. On the contrary, they had a good relationship, so Dong Zhuo felt that Liu Deran would not lie to him on such a matter.

After thinking about it, Dong Zhuo let out a long sigh and said: "Yes, Fa Xiaozhi, you are right, my life does not matter, but my family still needs to continue to survive in this world. "

"Okay, then I'll follow what you said."

"When you return to Chang'an, tell me that I am willing to cooperate with Liu Deran. As long as he is willing to protect my family, I am willing to let my brother and nephew submit to him."

"It's just that I must not condescend to him! I have decided to retire and return to my hometown in Liangzhou to take care of myself. Isn't this too much to ask for?"

"I have spent half my life, and after many ups and downs, I have finally achieved the status I have today! Now that I have reached this age, I can never help others anymore!"

"Please tell me this to Liu Deran!"

Fa Zheng said to Dong Zhuo respectfully: "There is no need to return to Chang'an for this matter. Fa Zheng can reply to Duke Dong now. The Prime Minister has already given the order before coming here. The Prime Minister knows that Duke Dong will not succumb to the Prime Minister." of."

Dong Zhuo couldn't help but look surprised when he heard this.

"Has he even calculated this?"

Fazheng shook his head and said: "This is not the Prime Minister's magical plan, but the Prime Minister knows what kind of person Dong Gong is."

"The Prime Minister said that Duke Dong was a man of great talent and great strategy. His life was full of ups and downs. He only entered the court in his later years and initiated new policies. It can be said that he was a late bloomer."

"Gong was arrogant all his life. When he was young, he endured humiliation and served Yuan Wei. Because he was born in Liangzhou, he was repeatedly despised and bullied by Yuan Wei, and he was even exploited several times by the Yuan family."

"Today, with a public heart, I will never be willing to succumb to others even if I die."

"The Prime Minister understands Mr. Dong very well. The Prime Minister considers himself a friend of Mr. Dong and is not willing to force his friends to do things he does not want to do. The Prime Minister is only considering the overall situation. As long as the overall situation is stable, it does not matter even if Mr. Dong is above the Prime Minister."

Dong Zhuo was very moved after hearing this.

He sighed and said: "Liu Deran is really my confidant."

"Now that things have happened, he still respects me so much!! If nothing else, from this point alone, he can really be regarded as my friend. The friendship from back then is still the same."

Fa Zhengdao: "It's just that the prime minister doesn't want Duke Dong to return to Liangzhou like this. After all, Liangzhou is now dominated by the rebels. In the past, Duke Dong fought several fierce battles with the rebels. If he returns to his former residence in Liangzhou this time, he will be relieved of his military power." , wouldn’t it be planned by others?”

Dong Zhuo laughed loudly after hearing this: "I have lived to this age, am I still afraid of death?"

"If Ma Teng, Han Sui and others want to take my life, then just come and take it! Let them kill me, which will make me famous, and my name will go down in history."

Fazheng shook his head: "Dong Gong, your idea is too naive."

"Not only will Ma Teng and Han Sui not kill you, they will treat Mr. Dong as an honored guest and treat him with courtesy."

Dong Zhuo was stunned when he heard this.

"Why is that so? I am their enemy!"

Fazheng sighed: "Dong Gong, think about it carefully. Who was the leader appointed by the rebels earlier? He was Yan Zhong, a famous scholar in Liangzhou."

"Now that Yan Zhong has died of illness, Ma Teng and Han Sui are not as popular as others in Liangzhou." "But if they want to survive for a long time, they must still hope to use a prestigious Liangzhou hero as the leader of the rebel army."

"Now, they are struggling to find this person so they put the matter on hold. If Dong Gong returns to Liangzhou and Fa Zheng dares to guarantee his life, Ma Teng and Han Sui will definitely force him to become the leader of the rebels. Even if Dong Gong does not From now on, they will also spread the news that Dong Gong is the leader of Liangzhou, ruining Dong Gong's reputation, and forcing Dong Gong to submit even if he doesn't want to."

"If this is the case, the reputation and achievements Mr. Dong has accumulated over the years will be completely destroyed."

When Dong Zhuo heard this, he couldn't help but feel excited all over.

Fazheng's words touched on the pain point deep in his heart. As a native of Liangzhou, Dong Zhuo didn't care about reputation at all. He only did everything for profit. He never thought that he would become a famous person in the history of the Han Dynasty. A person who has made great achievements.

But when he really achieved this goal, Dong Zhuo found that he couldn't bear to leave this achievement.

How could Dong Xiangguo of the Han Dynasty become the leader of the rebels, even if he was coerced?

When he thought of this, infinite fear suddenly arose in Dong Zhuo's heart. For his age, he was really not afraid of death.

But he still cares about his reputation after death.

At that moment, Dong Zhuo bowed his hands to Fazheng: "The words of filial piety are very good. It is only thanks to Xiaozhi that I can think of this! Alas, if I return to Liangzhou now, I am afraid that I will be in danger of death."

Hearing Dong Zhuo talk about the four words "no protection at night", Fazheng couldn't help but feel happy in his heart.

Then Fazheng was seen giving Dong Zhuo another long salute.

"The Prime Minister is also worried about this. After all, Dong Gong is also a top priority for the imperial court. If he is hijacked by Ma Teng, Han Sui and others as the leader of the rebellion, then Dong Gong, as the initiator of the New Deal, will definitely be used by the local wealthy people. Attack the New Deal for some reason! The New Deal may be hindered by then, which is something the Prime Minister never wants to see."

Dong Zhuo said: "Then how do you, Prime Minister Liu, plan to arrange for me?"

When Fazheng heard that Dong Zhuo called Liu Jian Prime Minister Liu, his heart suddenly became clearer.

It seems that Dong Zhuo has slowly begun to accept the fact that Liu Jian replaced him as the host of the court. Otherwise, he would never have called Liu Jian Prime Minister Liu.

Fa Zheng was very happy in his heart, but he didn't show anything unusual on the surface.

He followed Dong Zhuo's words naturally: "The Prime Minister hopes that Mr. Dong can return to Beijing and take up the post of Grand Tutor in Beijing."

Dong Zhuo was stunned after hearing this.

Then he saw him laughing: "Hahaha! Liu Deran is indeed much smarter than me! In order to keep me in the capital, he actually came up with such a trick? Yes, yes, he is the prime minister, and he can indeed be in charge of the court. All military and political affairs are above those of the ministers, but for me to become the Grand Tutor, with a distinguished status but no real power, just the name of a teacher of the emperor, it is a completely empty position, and I will not be able to interfere in the government affairs at all in the future."

Fazheng said very naturally: "Dong Gong, isn't this the best destination in life for a minister? Dong Gong was born in a border county, and he also carried out vigorous reforms in the imperial court. How many people in the world hate Gong Gong?" My teeth itch with hatred, how many people in the world say that Duke Dong is a powerful minister?"

"If you think about it carefully, Mr. Dong, if the position of Grand Tutor is not the best destination for you, then what is the best destination for you?"

"Does Mr. Dong really think that he can replace the Emperor of Han?"

When Dong Zhuo heard what Fazheng said, his face suddenly darkened: "Stop talking nonsense!"

Fazheng smiled and said: "That's right, that's right. It's Fa who is talking nonsense. Please don't blame Mr. Dong."

Dong Zhuo sighed loudly and seemed to have some understanding: "What you said is right, I understand... Then how should I return to Chang'an and become the Tutor? I think you, Prime Minister Liu, have already made it clear, right?"

Dong Zhuo has also been in charge of the court in recent years and has extremely rich experience. He naturally understands that Liu Jian must have more plans.

……

……

A few days later, Fa Zheng left Ji County and returned to Chang'an.

After Fazheng left, Dong Zhuo did not meet anyone. He still handed over the affairs of the Xiliang army to Dong Huang and Dong Min, while he lived in seclusion and saw no one else.

The news of Fazheng's arrival and return soon began to circulate among the Xiliang army.

This immediately caused an uproar among the generals of the Xiliang Army.

Many generals in the Xiliang Army did not have a very good impression of the imperial court and Liu Jian.

Among them were Hu Zhen, Yang Ding, Li Meng, Wang Fang and many other Xiliang warlords.

These people all came under Dong Zhuo's command as Liangzhou tycoons. Although they obeyed Dong Zhuo's orders, they each had their own power and autonomy.

Many troops in the Xiliang army are their own soldiers and horses.

In fact, among the Xiliang princes, these people only fear Dong Zhuo. If it were not for Dong Zhuo, they would not be convinced by anyone else.

This even includes the imperial court.

After learning that the imperial court sent Fa Zheng to meet with Dong Zhuo and that he left safely, these people immediately began to murmur in their hearts.

Liu Jian took away the prime minister's foundation, but the prime minister didn't kill his envoy?
In the recent period, in order to compete for the highest command of the Xiliang Army, these people were not in harmony with each other, but the current situation was beyond their imagination, and they did not dare to continue such internal strife.

Hu Zhen quickly invited several Xiliang army generals to his commander's tent, and then discussed with them the matter of the imperial court sending people to see Dong Zhuo.

"Everyone, there has been a new emperor in the court. Liu Jian entered Chang'an and became the prime minister. Now he has sent Fazheng to meet with the prime minister. According to your opinion, what is Liu Jian's intention in sending people to meet with the prime minister this time? "

Li Meng said: "They must have come to recruit us!"

"Liu Jian has already decided on the imperial court. For the imperial court, the biggest instability now is me and other Xiliang generals."

"He sent people to see the Prime Minister just to make me understand how to surrender."

"Then shall we surrender or not?"

As soon as this sentence was asked, all the Xiliang generals present fell silent.

They were not in a hurry to speak, but each was contemplating the matter.

When he was young, Fang heard Wang Fang say: "I surrender to Liu Jian. From now on, we will be restricted by him and cannot be indulgent. I am afraid that I will follow in the footsteps of Li Jue and Guo Si."

When Wang Fang mentioned Li Jue and Guo Si, everyone suddenly became nervous.

"Liu Jian regards benevolence and righteousness as the foundation of his life. What he hates most is that he indulges his soldiers and brings harm to the local people."

"Although we have been under the constraints of Dong Xiangguo in recent years and have caused less trouble to the people, who doesn't have thousands of lives in their hands?"

"If we don't completely disturb the people, how will we and the Xiliang army survive?"

"I'm just afraid that Liu Jian won't forgive me and will treat me like Li Jue when he comes back. Then we'll be doomed."

(End of this chapter)