History of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Chapter 265 What is it like to sleep with a eunuch

What is it like to sleep with a eunuch?

Since Wang Tingcou (Wang Rong's fourth generation ancestor) seized the Chengde Army in Zhenzhou, it has been exactly one hundred years (821-921), and the Wang family has been deeply supported by the people of Zhenzhou. Wang Rong can be said to have been born with a golden key and grew up happily in an extremely comfortable and easy environment.

At the age of 10, he inherited his father's position and was supported by the three armies as the Jiedushi of Chengde Army in Zhenzhou. He sat on the throne of the local emperor of Zhenzhou for 38 years.

The Wang family of Chengde Army became the longest-ruling and most stable vassal state, without a doubt. Especially in the late Tang Dynasty and early Five Dynasties, vassal states in various places were like a revolving lantern, but Wang Rong of Zhenzhou remained unshakable. This was not because Wang Rong was good at fighting and brave, but on the contrary, it was precisely because Wang Rong did not know military affairs and was cowardly and incompetent.

The final verdict of Wang Rong in history books is that he was "benevolent but not violent", and he could not fight nor was willing to fight. Therefore, whenever he encountered a military threat, Wang Rong's first reaction was to spend money to avoid disaster, bribe with a large amount of gold and silver treasures in order to seek reconciliation; otherwise, he would seek help from a third party, using money, food and treasures to invite external reinforcements.

In short, Wang Rong's solution to the dilemma is just one word: money. Give it to the enemy, or to the enemy of the enemy.

Due to the special position of Zhenzhou Chengde Army in geopolitics, it also became the target of surrounding bigwigs' scramble to win over. For example, Zhu Wen married his daughter to his eldest son Wang Zhaozuo, and Li Cunxu married his daughter to his youngest son Wang Zhaohui. Wang Rong thus became the "father-in-law of two dynasties". Even if Wang Rong did not give bribes, the bigwigs would not stand idly by when Zhenzhou was threatened. Therefore, there were many vassal states that wanted to spend money to avoid disaster, but only Zhenzhou did the best.

Wang Rong's policy of spending money to avoid disasters ensured that the people of Zhenzhou were as far away from the ravages of war as possible. The people lived and worked in peace and contentment, the society was prosperous and stable, and the economy developed rapidly. There were more savings to support the policy of spending money to avoid disasters, and the country embarked on a positive cycle.

For a long time, the Chengde Army in Zhenzhou has been playing the role of a supporting actor. Unlike other powerful vassal states, it does not show its presence fiercely, and the impression given by people is not related to passion and enthusiasm. However, the people of Zhenzhou enjoy the precious tranquility and peace in the turbulent times, making Zhenzhou a paradise. Therefore, the people of Zhenzhou strongly support Wang Rong's rule.

Wang Rong had a golden key in his mouth and had a smooth life. In his dictionary, there was no word "bumpy". He never knew what failure felt like or what frustration felt like. He was very simple and never thought of showing off, because everything about him from head to toe, from childhood to adulthood, was envied by countless people. His comfort and ease surpassed most emperors in history.

The life of rich people is monotonous and boring. Wang Rong also admires a life of luxury and debauchery. He was only slightly restrained in his early years due to the strict control of his mother, He.

After his mother, Ms. He, passed away, there was no one in the world who could restrain him anymore, so Wang Rong completely let himself go.

The luxurious and magnificent buildings and palaces are rare in the world; there are so many beauties and more than a thousand concubines. In order to enjoy this kind of fairy life for a long time and to seek spiritual comfort, Wang Rong became obsessed with unorthodox ways and pursued immortality wholeheartedly, praying to gods and Buddhas and refining elixirs.

As for major military and political affairs, they were entrusted to comrades who were worthy of trust, such as Comrade Li Honggui. Li Honggui was a eunuch. When Zhu Wen attacked Zhenzhou urgently, Li Honggui and Wang Rong's eldest son Wang Zhaozuo moved to Bianzhou as hostages.

Li Honggui was trusted by Wang Rong and was entrusted with military and political power. Another eunuch, Shi Ximeng, was also favored by Wang Rong because of his flattery. Conflicts gradually arose between the two eunuchs in their struggle for power.

Taoist Wang Ruone catered to Wang Rong's psychology and lured him to travel around the mountains and rivers to seek immortals. He often returned after several months, and each trip cost a huge amount of money. When visiting the Queen Mother Temple in Xishan, the mountain road was steep and inaccessible, so Wang Rong asked beautiful women to pull him up with brocade and silk.

During the trip, Shi Ximeng, who spoke sweet words, was greatly favored by Wang Rong, and the two even slept in the same bed.

What is it like to share a bed with a eunuch? It is another eunuch's jealous experience. Li Honggui was jealous.

This time, Wang Rong finished his trip in Xishan and was ready to go back home, but Shi Ximeng tried to dissuade him. Because only when Wang Rong was out, Shi Ximeng would be favored and rewarded, and once he returned home, Li Honggui would become a big celebrity. Under Shi Ximeng's sweet talk, Wang Rong decided to postpone his return date indefinitely.

Li Honggui hated Shi Ximeng, so he tried his best to persuade Wang Rong, coaxing and threatening him, saying that the King of Jin sent troops to help us (Later Liang tried to annex Zhenzhou, and Li Cunxu came to help), but now, the King of Jin is braving the arrows and stones at the front line, while you are in the rear, living a life of luxury and having fun. What do you think the King of Jin will think? Besides, you haven't been back home for several months. What if there is a change in the city and you close yourself off to the outside world, what will you do?
Wang Rong was terrified. "That makes sense. Let's set off immediately!"

Shi Ximeng firmly opposed it, and accused Li Honggui of exaggerating, spreading panic without reason, and having ulterior motives. He said that Li Honggui did this just to show off to the outside world that he could change the decision of King Zhao and thereby increase his own authority.

Wang Rong: "That makes sense. Let's play for two more days."

The two eunuchs accused and cursed each other. Wang Rong didn't know what to do and could only call on both sides to remain calm and restrained.

Shi Ximeng is just a flatterer, while Li Hong is the one who holds military power.

Li Honggui led his personal guards, wearing armor and drawing his sword, and rushed directly into the tent, shocking Wang Rong. "Are you planning to rebel?"

Li Honggui saluted with his sword exposed. "I dare not, but the soldiers miss home so much that they want to go home as soon as possible. Otherwise... I really don't know how to explain to the soldiers."

Wang Rong was so frightened that he could not speak.

Li Honggui took a step forward, holding a knife in hand. "Shi Ximeng is plotting a rebellion, so he keeps encouraging the king to travel around and not return to the government office, so as to prepare for the mutiny. King, please act decisively and nip it in the bud!"

Wang Rong waved his hands and said, "I just wanted to have fun. How can you say he was plotting a rebellion? Do you have any evidence? Show it to me."

"Evidence? Your Majesty, you want to see the evidence?"

Li Honggui winked, and the guards rushed forward with agitated shouts, and directly chopped off Shi Ximeng's head. Li Honggui showed Shi Ximeng's head to Wang Rong, "Your Majesty, Shi Ximeng intended to rebel, and I have killed him. The soldiers are enraged and difficult to control... Shall we go home?"

Wang Rong had no choice but to return to Zhenzhou. However, his beloved Shi Ximeng's death could not be in vain, and Wang Rong would not tolerate this rebellious military remonstrance.

On the evening of their arrival in Zhenzhou, Wang Rong sent his eldest son Wang Zhaozuo and adopted son Zhang Wenli to lead an army to surround the homes of Li Honggui and his trusted generals, and executed the entire family. Dozens of families were implicated and massacred.

Wang Rong thought that his team had been purified and he could rest easy from now on. However, things went against his wishes and the gate of his hell just opened.

(End of this chapter)