The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 337 Heroes Create the Times

Guo Wei glared at Fan Zhi angrily, but Fan Zhi calmly picked up the teacup and took a sip as if nothing happened.

Zhu Xiu winked at Wei Renpu worriedly, gesturing for him to say a few words of persuasion to prevent Fan Zhi from offending Guo Wei and leaving him with an impression of being arrogant and arrogant.

Wei Renpu shook his head nonchalantly, lowering his eyelids and not intending to interfere.

Guo Wei suddenly raised his head and laughed, which scared Zhu Xiu.

"No wonder you are a 22-year-old high school Jinshi, and you have been an official for 18 years, and you can't even afford a decent house in Kaifeng.

Like you, a veteran minister who has served for three dynasties, who has not achieved fame and power?
Only you, Fan Zhi and Fan Wensu, with every change of dynasty, your official position became smaller and smaller. You were transferred from the rank of Minister of the Sixth Ministry to the Hanlin Academy, and you lived with nothing to do with the title of Hanlin Bachelor.

After meeting you today, I finally solved the doubts in my heart!
It is a miracle in itself that a person with such a smelly and stubborn temper like you can survive the turmoil and change of the political situation!
But looking at it from another perspective, this is not the way to save your life!
Fan Wensu, Fan Wensu, you are such a wonderful person! "

Guo Wei pointed at Fan Zhi and laughed.

Fan Zhi smiled lightly, bowed slightly and said, "Guo Situ is very open minded, and it is precisely because Fan knows that Guo Situ is tolerant, that Fan dares to talk in front of Guo Situ. If it were someone else , Give Fan ten courages, but he wouldn’t dare to be so speechless.”

"Oh? What would you do if someone else was sitting here talking to you?" Guo Wei asked with a joking smile.

Fan Zhi was silent for a moment, cupped his hands and said: "I am sincere and frightened, and I must obey you!"

Guo Weihu glared, raised his head and let out a burst of heroic laughter: "You pretentious scholars, your shameless looks are exactly the same!"

For some reason, when Guo Wei said this, his finger touched the tip of Zhu Xiu's nose.

Zhu Xiu spread his arms and said aggrievedly: "The commander-in-chief should not hurt innocent people by cursing!"

"Hmph!~ You are worse than that!" Guo Wei scolded with a smile.

Wei Renpu stroked his beard and smiled lightly, then moved his chair further away from Zhu Xiu calmly.

Zhu Xiu pouted, forget it, you are the boss and you have the final say.

"Fan Zhi, your imperial edict is well written. When your heir succeeds to the throne, I will definitely ask for credit for you truthfully."

After a while of laughter and scolding, Guo Wei seemed to have forgotten the disagreement he had just had.

Fan Zhi said sternly: "I dare not be praised by Guo Situ alone! Although this imperial edict was written by Fan, the content of the article was thanks to Zhu Jun's suggestion. If there is any credit, it should be half of it between us."

"Scholar Fan is being humble. I just helped him clarify his thoughts. How can I take half of the credit?" Zhu Xiu said politely.

"Without Zhu Jun's advice, Fan would definitely not be able to write an imperial edict that would satisfy the Queen Mother and Guo Situ." Fan Zhi looked serious.

Guo Wei waved his hand: "You two don't need to be humble. All the merits of the imperial edict are yours."

After a pause, Guo Wei glanced at Zhu Xiu, "But your boy has made a lot of contributions since he started the army in Yedu. He is enough to be among the best in the merit book, and this one is not missing. This time, it will all be attributed to Wen Su." .”

Zhu Xiugong cupped his hands and smiled from ear to ear: "The commander-in-chief is overly praised! All credit for the imperial edict should go to Bachelor Fan."

What else did Fan Zhi want to say? Guo Wei said in a deep voice without any doubt: "With immediate effect, Fan Zhi will be promoted to the position of Minister of the Ministry of War, and will be temporarily in charge of all affairs of the Ministry of War. The Queen Mother will prepare the imperial edict and the Zhongshu appointment document, which will be issued later."

Fan Zhi was stunned, but he didn't expect that Guo Wei would entrust him with important tasks as soon as he opened his mouth. He was directly promoted to Minister of the Ministry of War, and became one of the chief officials of the Six Departments of the Secretariat.

"Servant Fan, why don't you thank him quickly!" Zhu Xiu gently kicked him and reminded him in a low voice.

Fan Zhi came to his senses, stood up and took a few steps back. He dropped his robe and prostrated himself, his tone unable to contain his excitement: "My lord Fan Zhi, I will definitely live up to Duke Guo's expectations!"

Guo Wei said calmly: "You will be in charge of the Ministry of War for the time being, and cooperate with the Privy Council to handle the affairs of moving troops and horses to towns in various military prefectures. After two days of discussion between the Japanese commander and the Queen Mother, your position will be transferred."

Fan Zhi's head was buzzing. He only kowtowed and did not understand the meaning of Guo Wei's words.

Zhu Xiu understood it and looked at Fan Zhi enviously.

Uncle Guo told him that being the Minister of War was just the starting point, not the end. Work on it first. Your position might change in a few days.

This means that it is obviously going to be of great use to Fan Zhi.

It is true that he lived in poverty in the Hanlin Academy for several years, and now spring is finally coming.

Guo Wei gave a few more instructions and asked Fan Zhi to step aside first.

Only Guo Wei, Wei Renpu, and Zhu Xiu were left in the front hall of the Privy Envoy's office.

After Fan Zhi left, Guo Wei's expression became much more relaxed. He was leaning forward with one foot on the other leg, looking quite lazy and leisurely.

Zhu Xiu and Wei Renpu have long been accustomed to this.

In private, Uncle Guo is such a person who does not follow etiquette and does not change his reckless atmosphere.

"This Fan Zhi is indeed a talent, and you have good taste." Guo Wei gave Zhu Xiu an approving look.

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "Commander, don't forget to add one more thing to my credit book."

Guo Wei seemed to be smiling but not smiling: "You are really greedy. What, is it possible that I will still want you to be made a prince of the country in the future?"

Zhu Xiu rubbed his hands with a coy look on his face: "It's not impossible! The commander-in-chief loves me so much, how dare I refuse? I can only accept it with shame~"

"Hahaha~ What a shameless brat!" Guo Wei pointed at him and scolded him with a smile.

Wei Renpu smiled leisurely and said: "Zhu Xiu has made great contributions. In the future, the general will create the foundation of the country and reward him based on his merits. It is not an exaggeration to be granted a title of Duke. However, in turbulent times, the title of Lord is more of a symbol of honor, which is far less important than fulfilling actual duties and mastering the power of the country." Real power matters.”

Guo Wei shook his head and smiled: "Fu Yanqing fought for half his life, and it was not until his great ancestor Taiyuan raised troops to take over Kaifeng that he got a title from the Duke of Wei. Although in the war years, even the emperor was in danger, and the title was even less valuable, but Zhu Xiunian was only twenty, and suddenly he was granted the title Being the Duke of the country is enough to shock the world. So, you kid, stop dreaming about being the Duke of the country."

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "As long as I can serve the commander-in-chief, even if I am asked to carry a knife and a gun to guard Xuandemen!"

Guo Wei rolled his eyes: "You're so hypocritical! If I really want your kid to guard the palace gate, I'm afraid you'd give up immediately!"

Zhu Xiu spread his hands: "Serving the commander-in-chief, it doesn't matter how high or low the position is. If the commander-in-chief asks me to guard the palace gate, doesn't it mean that the world is already clean, the country is safe, and there is no room for me. Then I will do it for you." The commander-in-chief guarded the gate of Yueyue Palace, then submitted his resignation and returned to Tanzhou to live in seclusion and observe filial piety for his mentor."

Guo Wei pointed at him, glared at Wei Renpu, smiled and scolded: "Look at this kid, he is threatening me in his words! He is telling me that if the rewards in the future do not satisfy him, he will resign and return home." Damn it! There is such a bold brat in this world!"

Guo Wei was so angry that he blew his beard and stared, while Zhu Xiu smiled playfully and was not afraid at all.

After following Uncle Guo for so long, he had already figured out Uncle Guo's temper.

When can you be a little more unrestrained, act mischievous, and act rogue, and when should you be more serious? Zhu Xiu knows the right balance very carefully.

Wei Renpu smiled and said: "Don't worry, with your talent, no matter how angry the commander-in-chief is, you won't be asked to guard the palace gate."

Guo Weihu scolded with a face on his face: "That's not certain! If you really want to make me angry, I will simply kick you to Yingling, where you will be the companion of Emperor Yin, and you will never come back for the rest of your life!"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "If the marshal really wants to punish me to guard Yingling, I won't be afraid! I was not afraid of Emperor Yin when he was alive, and there is nothing to be afraid of after he is dead! What's more, he was frightened by the marshal's domineering aura. Zhen, how dare you run out and cause harm to the world!"

Guo Wei was speechless for a while, pointing at Zhu Xiu and wondering whether to laugh or cry.

"Okay, you kid, stop being so messy. When the big thing is settled, I will never treat you badly.

You met the Queen Mother in Kunning Palace. Do you have any instructions? "Guo Wei laughed.

Zhu Xiu bowed her head and thanked her, then flattered her with a stern look on her face: "The Marshal is really good at predicting things. Before I even said anything, the Marshal had already guessed the Queen Mother's thoughts. The Queen Mother wanted to invite the Marshal. Let Liu Yun live, and she is willing to personally persuade Liu Yun and his son to surrender to the commander!"

Guo Wei's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said nothing with a cold face.

Wei Renpu twisted his beard and thought for a while, then frowned and said: "The Queen Mother is a woman after all and has lived in a deep palace for a long time. Her ideas are too naive. Liu Chong and Liu Yun father and son hold military power. As members of the Liu Han clan, how can they be willing to surrender easily?

If the father and son were really willing to surrender, they should have come to court as early as the day the commander-in-chief entered Kaifeng.

Now his father and son, one in Taiyuan and the other in Xuzhou, have blocked the Chengguan road, and have not even seen a statement sent to Kaifeng, indicating that they will not compromise easily.

If it hadn't been for the commander-in-chief's proposal to make Liu Yun the emperor, I estimate that Xuzhou had already raised the banner of King Qin, and Liu Yun and his son would have used the banner of the hidden emperor to compete with the commander-in-chief. "

Guo Wei said coldly: "Liu Yun, a child with a yellow mouth, is nothing to be afraid of. But Liu Chong is very cunning. He is stationed in Taiyuan, and his Hedong army is strong and strong, occupying the dangerous area of ​​​​Hedong. Once he becomes an enemy of our dynasty, I am afraid that he will become a trouble in his heart."

Wei Renpu worriedly said: "Liu Yun is easy to deceive, but Liu Chong is an old fox. Once he smells something wrong, he will be extremely vigilant. It will be very difficult to trick him into leaving Taiyuan."

The front hall fell into silence for a while, and no one spoke.

Guo Wei and Wei Renpu both looked sad.

Zhu Xiu comforted him: "The Marshal and Mr. Wei must not worry too much. Although Liu Chong is not easy to deal with, as far as Taiyuan, Hedong is concerned, as long as the Marshal takes the throne and creates a new dynasty, and all the vassal towns in the world change their flags, Hedong will instantly become a lonely place." In Taiyuan, Liu Chong is an enemy of our dynasty, so he is the one who should be worried!"

Guo Wei and Wei Renpu looked at each other, and both felt that what Zhu Xiu said was reasonable.

They were worried that Liu Chong would rebel in Hedong, and Liu Chong was not worried that Guo Wei would proclaim himself emperor in Kaifeng, and the Liu Han Dynasty would collapse in an instant, and the Hedong Army would become a lone army, surrounded by enemies on all sides.

In the worst situation, Liu Chong faced much greater pressure than Guo Wei.

"So the most urgent thing is to ask the commander-in-chief to ascend the throne as soon as possible, so as to reassure the people of the world!" Wei Renpu said.

Guo Wei said in a deep voice: "Liu Chongyuan is in Taiyuan, and the land east of Hedong is full of dangerous passes. It is not easy for our army to conquer Hedong, and it is not easy for Liu Chong to go south. Hedong can ignore it for the time being.

However, Xuzhou is located in the prosperous hinterland and close to the Huaihe River. It is an important source of tax revenue for the Jianghuai area, and it is also the front line of the confrontation between our dynasty and the puppet Tang Dynasty. If Xuzhou is unstable, Kaifeng will be in danger.

Xuzhou has a serious problem that must be solved as soon as possible. If Liu Yun is not eliminated, I will not be able to securely ascend the throne. "

Wei Renpu sighed: "I hope Feng Dao and Guo Chong will send back the news as soon as possible. Feng Dao is experienced and will definitely find a way to stabilize Liu Yun. Commander, please don't worry."

Guo Wei added: "There are also 10,000+ forbidden troops in Kaifeng City, many of whom are sitting on the fence and watching. Once the situation worsens, these people will jump out to oppose me, so we must be on guard."

"We have to find a way to get these people to leave Kaifeng to avoid chaos at the critical moment." Wei Renpu stroked his beard and thought.

Zhu Xiu rolled her eyes and grinned: "Why don't you, in the name of going on an expedition, ask the Queen Mother to grant the military power in a legitimate manner? Then the commander will take the imperial army out of Kaifeng, find an appropriate time, and directly declare his accession to the throne in the army, and then Return to Kaifeng and use the general situation to force the subjects of Kaifeng to compromise! As long as there is no chaos in Kaifeng, major issues will be settled! After that, the commander-in-chief will spread the decree in the name of the emperor and order all the feudal towns in the world to surrender!"

Guo Wei frowned and remained silent, while Wei Renpu's eyes lit up and he said hurriedly: "This method is very good! Take the forbidden troops away from Kaifeng and mix them with the Ye army. With the officers and soldiers of the Ye army suppressing them, there won't be any trouble if the forbidden troops come."

Without Kaifeng, the Forbidden Army is like duckweed without roots and can only obey the orders of the commander!

All the soldiers supported the commander-in-chief as the emperor. This was an act of obedience to nature! "

Guo Wei hesitated: "Is this method really feasible?"

Zhu Xiudao: "As long as Xuzhou sends back the news and gets rid of the confidant's troubles, the commander-in-chief will be favored by everyone, and he will naturally become the best candidate for the emperor! At that time, we will use a little trick to arouse the generals of the Ye army. Under the general situation, the commander-in-chief proclaims himself emperor." It’s natural to ascend the throne!”

Zhu Xiu said a few words in a low voice, and Guo Wei and Wei Renpu looked at each other. Zhu Xiu's idea seemed simple, but under the corresponding circumstances, it might produce unexpected results.

Wei Renpu thought for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "What Zhu Xiu said makes sense, Commander, you might as well give it a try!"

Guo Wei clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, hesitated for a moment, and shouted: "Dang Duan continues to suffer the consequences! Okay! Just do as Zhu Xiu said, success or failure depends on this!"

"Yedu is the foundation for the commander-in-chief. If we can declare the emperor in Yedu, we will be safe! But Yedu is too far away, and leading the army north will take too long in terms of the itinerary." Wei Renpu shook his head.

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "It's better to stay in Chanzhou! Most of Chanzhou is the old department of the two generals Wang Yin and Li Hongyi, and most of the soldiers in Chanzhou are descendants of Hebei. The generals raised troops in Yedu, and Chanzhou also responded to the call. The soldiers and civilians of Chanzhou , I have been looking forward to the commander-in-chief for a long time!"

Guo Wei nodded slowly and uttered one word with a heavy breath: "Yes!"

Wei Renpu laughed and said, "Then, on the grounds of Khitan's invasion of the south and the instability of Hebei, the commander-in-chief led the imperial army to go north to Chanzhou! When they arrive in Chanzhou, there should be news from Xuzhou."

Guo Wei stood up with a cry and shouted coldly: "That's it! The news of the Khitan invasion will be arranged by the military advisor. Zhu Xiu will go back and wait for the news. Don't leak anything about today's discussion!"

"Follow the commander's orders!"

Zhu Xiu and Wei Renpu bowed to accept the order.

(End of this chapter)