The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 514 The first year of showing virtue
At the end of the twelfth lunar month of the third year of Guangshun in the Great Zhou Dynasty, the emperor died in Zide Hall with a longevity of 51 years.

Chai Rong summoned civil and military ministers and invited the Daxing Emperor's Legacy System, which was announced by Feng Daodang: "Jin King Rong can take the throne in front of the coffin, and the obedience, month and day will be the same as the old system."

Chai Rong ascended the throne as emperor according to his will, changed the fourth year of Guangshun to the first year of Xiande, and granted amnesty to the whole country.

Immediately, a series of reward promotion orders were issued.

An Shenqi, the king of Nanyang, ascended to the throne of Chen, and moved to Xiangzhou; Fu Yanqing, the king of Huaiyang, ascended to the throne of the Wei Dynasty and was appointed as the governor of Tianxiong Army; Gao Baorong of Jingnan ascended the throne and was granted the title of King of Nanping; Li Yiyin of Xiazhou ascended to the throne of Xiping.
Zhu Xiu was promoted to the second rank of Duke of the founding county. The rest of the commanders and ministers who had meritorious service in the Yuan Dynasty were given the title of Tongping Zhangshi, and were called envoys or ministers, or were promoted to Duke of the country.

The prime ministers in the DPRK have also been adjusted. Feng Daojia, the Grand Master, is still ranked first among the prime ministers, Fan Zhijia, Zuopushe, the Minister, is ranked second, and Wang Pu, a bachelor of Duanming Palace, was promoted to Minister of Zhongshu on the orders of Emperor Daxing. Tongping Zhangshi entered the prime minister's train.

Zheng Renjie, the military governor of Zhenning in Chanzhou, returned to the court and served as the privy envoy, adding Tongping Zhangshi.

Among the four prime ministers of the new dynasty, Feng Dao was the first, Fan Zhi was the second, Wang Pu was the third, and Zheng Renjie was the fourth.

In terms of military affairs, Wang Renhao was transferred to Yongxing Army Military Envoy; Wude Envoy Wang Lingwen was transferred to Chenzhou Military Envoy.

Li Chongjin was transferred to Yuhou, the governor of the Ma Bu Army of the Guards, to lead Wu Xinjun's military envoy, and to inspect the school's Taibao; Fan Aineng was the commander of the Ma Jundu Guards, the military governor of Yangzhou, and to inspect the school's Taibao; He Hui was the commander of the Guards and Infantry Army, and to inspect the school's Taibao. The Lizhou Jiedushi envoy and the Taibao who inspected the school were added.
The commander in front of the palace was taken over by General Zuowei and Captain Zhang Yongde.

The chief and adjutants of the temples of the provincial supervisory departments have changed, and the new ruling team of the Great Zhou Dynasty completed the formation as quickly as possible.

~~~
In Zide Hall, in front of Emperor Daxing's Zi Palace, Chai Rong observed mourning.

Zhu Xiu, dressed in plain clothes, walked into the palace, bowed down and kowtowed, and said softly: "Your Majesty, please show your condolences!"

In just a few days, Chai Rong lost a lot of weight, his face was sad, his cheekbones were slightly convex, and his eyes that he revealed inadvertently became increasingly sharp.

"Get back on your feet." Chai Rong sighed.

The emperor was still kneeling in front of the huge coffin. Zhu Xiu naturally did not dare to get up and could only continue to kneel beside him.

Early this morning, he received the Jinjue's imperial edict, and he specially entered the palace to thank the emperor for his kindness and visit the new emperor along the way.

Since the late emperor's grand tour, Chai Rong has officially ascended the throne and taken power. He has been busy arranging state funerals, appeasing old ministers with rewards, and also has to deal with a set of complicated etiquette procedures.

It was only today that he had time to watch the late emperor's mourning in the Zide Hall. Zhu Xiu heard about it and hurried into the palace to meet the emperor.

Chai Rong added a handful of millet stalks to the brazier in front of him and said softly: "Before his death, the late emperor told us that state funerals should be quick and simple. Zi Palace will not stay in the palace for a long time. The mausoleum does not use stone pillars, only bricks and stones, and burials are carried out in tile coffins and paper clothes." Can.

Also don't guard the mausoleum palace people, don't allow stone people and beasts, call [-] households near the mountain mausoleum to be mausoleum households, and guard and sweep from generation to generation.

The Shinto stele only needs to be engraved: "The Emperor of Zhou came to Yan and made an appointment with his successor. Because he was very frugal in his life, he was only buried in a coffin made of clay and paper."If you violate this, the Yin spirit will not help you. '

Zhu Xiu, I feel uneasy about the late emperor being buried so poorly."

Zhu Xiugong cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty is extremely filial to his father, and has always been praised by the world. Since the late emperor died, he only needs to do as a son and minister.

The late Emperor's integrity, diligence and frugality will surely be praised by his subjects all over the world. "

Chai Rong looked tired and mournful, and murmured: "The late emperor felt that most of the tombs of the eighteen emperors of the Li and Tang Dynasties were destroyed, and wanted to imitate the method of Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty to bury them sparingly. However, the late emperor fought and worked hard all his life. Now that the mountains and mausoleums have collapsed, I think about it very much." Ai Rong, I am worried about violating the late emperor’s last wishes, which is really embarrassing!”

Zhu Xiu comforted him and said: "When the late emperor ordered your majesty to supervise the country, he once sighed: 'I have no regrets.' It means that the late emperor has finished his affairs in the earthly world, and it is time to go to the country of the afterlife to enjoy the bliss. Your majesty only needs to follow the orders and cook, and there is no need to worry about anything else." "

Chai Rong murmured, "Really?"

"Everyone in the court knows the late emperor's will, so there is no need for your Majesty to worry."

Chai Rong was silent for a moment and sighed: "In that case, let's follow the late emperor's order.

The late emperor ordered me to bury a pair of swords and armor in Puzhou and Yedu in the middle of the river, Tongtian crown and crimson gauze gown in Chanzhou, and a flat sky crown and Gunlong suit in Tokyo. You go to Puzhou on my behalf, and Li Chong enters Ye In the capital, Zhang Yongde goes to Chanzhou, and Kaifeng is personally presided over by me. Each of you will go on my behalf to fulfill the late emperor's order. "

"I obey the order!" Zhu Xiu kowtowed.

After thinking for a while, Zhu Xiu whispered: "Your Majesty, last month Liu Chong sent General Qiao Yun into the Koufu Prefecture, but he was repulsed by Zhe Deku after being retained by Fuzhou Jiedu. At the beginning of the new year, Zhenzhou, Zhaozhou and other places again attacked. Reports have been sent one after another that a small group of Khitan soldiers and horses have invaded the territory. The Khitan and Liu Chong may have the intention of spying on our country's defensive retreat, so we must be on guard!"

Chai Rong was stunned: "What do you mean?"

Zhu Xiu said solemnly: "Last year, the late emperor returned from Yedu, Liu Chong and the Khitan people had already known about the serious illness of the fall from the horse, so since last month, soldiers from the Northern Han Dynasty and Khitan soldiers have frequently violated the border in an attempt to probe into our dynasty's movements. , I judge that the two parties are not good-natured and may have a conspiracy!

Once the news of the late emperor's death spread, Liu Chong and the Khitan people would not miss this opportunity! "

Chai Rong's increasingly majestic face gradually showed anger: "You infer that Liu Chong will collude with the Khitan people to take advantage of the mourning of the Great Zhou Dynasty and lead an army to invade when my throne is not stable?"

Zhu Xiudu believed: "Judging from the current movements on both sides, it is indeed possible!"

Chai Rong's face was full of anger. If the person who said this was not Zhu Xiu, he would have couldn't help scolding him.

In Chai Rong's view, if Liu Chong and the Khitans really raised troops to go south at this time, it would be a naked contempt for him, the new emperor of Zhou Dynasty, and an insult and disrespect for the previous emperor!

It's like a family is preparing for a funeral, and the enemy suddenly knocks on the door, smashes the mourning hall and burns the coffin. Needless to say, both sides must fight hard.

Chai Rong was angry and a little unsure at the same time. It was freezing cold at the moment, and the barren land east of the river did not have much ability to use troops in winter. The Khitan people were also busy breeding horses. No matter how you looked at it, this was not a suitable place for using troops. good season.

Chai Rong said in a deep voice: "In your opinion, how should we deal with it?"

Zhu Xiudao: "It only takes two steps to make the Northern Han and Khitan surrender! First, your majesty can issue an edict and order the guard king Fu Yanqing to lead the Tianxiong army north to Jizhou to inspect the border defenses, stock up on food and grass, repair siege equipment, and set up a plan. A posture that can swing troops northward at any time!

Second, he ordered Li Jun, the military governor of Zhaoyi in Luzhou, to strengthen his military armaments, and at the same time transferred Liu Ci from Xingzhou to station in Liaozhou to threaten Taiyuan. Liu Chong must have panicked and could only deploy troops to defend.

Liu Chong and the Khitan could not figure out the purpose of the Zhou army, so they naturally did not dare to act rashly! "

Chai Rong frowned and thought for a while, then said: "I have not been in power very long, and if I mobilize the army without showing any signs of the enemy, I am afraid that I will attract criticism from the ministers.

If things go wrong and Liu Chong and the Khitan mistakenly think that the Zhou army is going to the Northern Expedition, and thus look for opportunities to start a war on the border, it will be bad! "

Zhu Xiu hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I judge that as long as Da Zhou is fully prepared, even if Liu Chong and Khitan intend to collude, they will not dare to go south easily."

Chai Rong waved his hand and did not let him finish his words: "I have just ascended the throne, and I still focus on stabilizing the situation of the government. Your suggestions are not wrong in terms of general strategy, but they are also easy to implement. Well, I will issue a decree to King Wei and Li Jun ordered them to pay close attention to the movements of Liu Chong and the Khitans."

Zhu Xiu smiled bitterly, but Chai Rong still didn't quite believe his judgment.

According to normal thinking, this season is not the best time for either side to use troops.

But in history, it was under such unexpected circumstances that the coalition forces of the Northern Han Dynasty and the Khitan invaded the south, forcing Chai Rong, who had just succeeded to the throne, to fight in person. This led to the famous Battle of Gaoping.

But in Zhu Xiu's view, the battle of Gaoping was extremely risky. Zhou Jun's victory was quite lucky. If he were not careful, it would be a disaster for the country!

It would be best to help Chai Rong avoid a dangerous war related to the fate of the country when he first came to the throne. Unfortunately, Chai Rong didn't seem to believe his reasoning.

This can't be blamed on him. As the emperor of Zhou Dynasty, the position of his butt is different from that of Zhu Xiu, so he must be more thoughtful and detailed.

Zhu Xiu sighed inwardly, it seemed that some things were destined to be hidden, so he could only take one step at a time.

Chai Rong took out a finely crafted gold order: "From now on, you will serve as the Wude Envoy and be in charge of the Wude Department. With this golden order, you can directly enter the palace at any time, and you can also mobilize less than five hundred guards in front of the palace. "

Zhu Xiucheng was afraid of prostrating himself: "I thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

Holding the golden order in both hands, Zhu Xiu said again: "I would like to invite someone to serve as deputy envoy. Please allow your Majesty's permission!"

Chai Rong smiled and said, "Who is it?"

"Worship Officer Cao Han!" Zhu Xiu smiled calmly, looking directly at Chai Rong with a pair of clear eyes.

Chai Rong's eyes flashed with gleams, and there was a smile on his lips: "You're the only one with a lot of thoughts, get up, I'm sure."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhu Xiu kowtowed and got up laughing.

Cao Han followed Chai Rong in Chanzhou for many years. During that time, Chai Rong was the most depressing time. Now that he has gotten over it, it will only be a matter of time before Cao Han will be reused.

Unlike Zhu Xiu, Cao Han was Chai Rong's absolute confidant. As long as the emperor gave the order, Cao Han could die on the spot without blinking an eye.

The relationship between Zhu Xiu and Chai Rong is much more complicated. They are monarchs and ministers, brothers-in-law and close friends who have known each other for many years.

Zhu Xiu is not alone. He is involved in too many interest entanglements. Cao Han is much simpler. He has no choice but to rely on the emperor.

Wu Desi was independent from the judiciary and only obeyed the emperor's orders. He was a veritable minion of the emperor. Zhu Xiu's appointment as envoy showed Chai Rong's trust and reliance on him.

By letting Cao Han serve as deputy envoy, Wu Desi's every move could not be hidden from the emperor. In this way, Zhu Xiu could feel at ease, and so could Chai Rong.

"Okay, please step back." Chai Rong said with a smile, "You went to Puzhou to fulfill your filial piety for me. Go back quickly and don't play around on the way! The eldest lady is about to give birth. Please ask your wife to come to the palace to accompany you more in the near future. , if the sisters are together, the eldest lady will not be too nervous."

"I obey the order! Your Majesty, don't worry. I will rush back after paying homage to the late emperor. I will not delay." Zhu Xiu respectfully resigned.

At this time, even if Chai Rong asked him to go out to play, he would not dare. Liu Chong from the north might call at any time.

Chai Rong watched Zhu Xiu's figure disappear outside the hall, turned around to face the huge Zi Palace, heaved a long sigh, knelt down respectfully, and continued to guard the spirit of the late emperor.
Just as Zhu Xiu was about to leave the right Changqing Gate, a voice came from behind him: "Mr. Zhu, please stay!"

Looking back, Wang Lingwen appeared out of nowhere, wearing a red official uniform, and his silver beard and hair were even more eye-catching.

"It turns out to be General Wang!" Zhu Xiu hurriedly stepped forward and saluted.

Wang Lingwen looked at him with a smile: "Wude Secretary Jin Ling, has County Duke Zhu got it?"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "The old general is still so well-informed! Thanks to His Majesty's grace, I have been appointed to take over the post of envoy!"

Zhu Xiu took out the gold token, Wang Lingwen took it, and gently fondled it: "This thing has been with this old man for more than three years, and now it has finally changed hands."

Zhu Xiudao: "Don't worry, old general, I will definitely not disgrace the reputation of Wude Si!"

Wang Lingwen returned the golden order to him and said sincerely: "The Wude Secretary has a special status. Although the Secretary is only a fourth-grade official, in the eyes of the courtiers, he is no different from a savage beast.

This makes it difficult to be in charge of the position. He has the emperor at the top and hundreds of officials at the bottom. His power is astonishing, but he is also facing an abyss, and the dangers are unpredictable!
You have to be careful with the proportions! "

Zhu Xiu chuckled and said, "Don't worry, old general. I have asked the envoy Cao Han to serve as deputy envoy. I have passed the first test before your majesty!"

Wang Lingwen was startled, stroking his beard and laughing loudly: "Mr. Zhuxian has an exquisite heart with seven orifices. No wonder he has been favored by emperors of two dynasties! If I had half as much brains as you, I wouldn't have to go out to the feudal town when I reach sixty. Alas~~ The fate of a person is determined by God!"

Zhu Xiu looked at him with some sympathy.

Wang Lingwen's position in the court was actually very embarrassing. On the one hand, he was indeed a close confidant of Guo Wei. Over the years, he had offended hundreds of officials in charge of the Wude Division and was loyal to the Great Zhou Dynasty.

On the other hand, his merits are not enough to support him to take a further step in his official career. Coupled with his age, there are actually not many options to choose from.

When Chai Rong came to the throne, such an important position as military commander must be assigned to a reliable person. Wang Lingwen started his career following Guo Wei and had little interaction with Chai Rong, so it was impossible for him to continue to serve.

It is also difficult to stay in Beijing, after all, he has offended too many people over the years.

Putting Chenzhou outside is the best choice.

Chenzhou is Zhoukou in later generations. It is not far from Kaifeng and is considered a prosperous place. It can be seen that Chai Rong expressed his gratitude for his past achievements and asked him to go to a good place to enjoy his old age.

At his age, Wang Lingwen had a clear eye for glory and wealth. He took a few steps closer and said with a low smile: "I followed the agreement and did not reveal a word to the late emperor about what Lord Zhu Hou did in Jiangning. I have nothing else to do." Please, I only hope that Mr. Zhuhou can help my royal family when they are in trouble in the future. I don’t ask for wealth and honor, but only for endless heirs.”

Zhu Xiu smiled slightly and bowed solemnly: "Don't worry, old general, I will never break my promise!"

"In this way, I can go to Chenzhou to take up my post with peace of mind. This may be the last stop of my official career."

Wang Lingwen sighed deeply, and the two bowed farewell to each other. Zhu Xiu watched him walk out of the Changqing Gate, and took a carriage to the right gate of the palace city.

Zhu Xiu couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Once the emperor and his ministers came together, old ministers like Wang Lingwen who were old and not favored by the new emperor were destined to be marginalized.

They will only get farther and farther away from the core of the country's power until they die and become a name in the history books, leaving behind a piece of the past, that's all
(End of this chapter)