Chapter 551 Entrustment
After the news that the palace wanted to investigate Han Zhongye reached the Prime Minister's Mansion, Zhuge Liang rubbed his temples with a headache.
The Northern Expedition is approaching, and I am preparing to go to Hanzhong, so there are too many things that need to be arranged as soon as possible.
I have always believed in Ma Su regarding the matter in Hanzhong, but I never expected that I would get into trouble with that kid at this juncture.
The Hanzhong arsenal was newly established. In fact, most of the weapons inventory was sent from Jincheng to be sealed up.
Hanzhong Mansion asked Hanzhong Ye to build weapons. It was just that Ma Di knew what he was planning, so he took precautions and wanted to prepare early.
It's just that Ma Su and Jiang Bin were a little too hasty.
Zhuge Liang smiled bitterly. Now that boy's identity has changed. How can he still be willing to suffer losses? I could only make him lower his head slightly.
The removal of five hundred elite soldiers from Nanzhong was already a hidden loss for him, and it bound his hands and feet for a period of time. Although he endured this, it was right for him to feel unhappy.
These eunuchs relied on Nanxiang to get up, but this happened when he was not feeling well. It would be strange if he didn't jump in.
Thinking of this, Zhuge Liang ordered his subordinates, "Go and invite Jiang Canjun over."
Jiang Wan came over quickly, "Prime Minister, you are looking for a subordinate, but you have something to give me?"
“Gong Yan, please sit down first. I have something to tell you first.”
Zhuge Liang looked a little tired and pointed to the seat, asking Jiang Wan to sit down first.
“I wonder what the prime minister wants to tell Wan?”
Jiang Wan asked after sitting down.
“Your older man may have gotten into trouble with that kid.”
“What does the prime minister mean by this? I don’t understand.”
Jiang Wan was stunned and didn't react for a while.
Isn’t my Dalang in Hanzhong?
There is only one person in the world who can call the Prime Minister "that boy", Feng Junhou. It's just Feng Junhou. Isn't he in Yuexi?
"It's your uncle who got into trouble with Feng Mingwen." Zhuge Liang smiled bitterly, "That boy once commissioned Han Zhongye to build a batch of weapons. I heard that the craftsmanship of that batch of weapons was extremely cumbersome and required a lot of manpower and material resources."
"You also know that last year I set up a new arsenal in Hanzhong to prepare for the Northern Expedition. Youchang (Ma Su) once approached Hanzhong Ye to make preparations for making weapons in Hanzhong as soon as possible."
"I estimate that Han Zhongye delayed the boy's entrustment to build weapons because of the arsenal. In all likelihood, your uncle was involved."
Although the prime minister's words were a bit cryptic, Jiang Wan still understood it, and he immediately felt a toothache.
How should I describe Feng Junhou? When he is generous, he is indeed generous, and he will not blink even if all his money is spent. But when he is stingy, it is normal for him to retaliate, and his temper is extremely weird.
“What do you mean by Feng Junhou?”
Jiang Wan asked out of luck.
“He wants to hold Hanzhong Metallurgical Company accountable.”
I understand, it seems that I really got into trouble with the Ghost King.
In a land where evil spirits are born and demons are rampant, what does the big man think when he offends the Ghost King Feng?
Jiang Wan let out a long sigh, "Wan, can I ask what the crime this Dalang is guilty of is?"
Zhuge Liang understood Jiang Wan's thoughts and immediately said, "Gong Yan, don't worry. This crime is not really serious. It's just that there is something wrong with the weapons customized privately by Yuexun Prefecture."
“Furthermore, this batch of weapons was originally privately commissioned by Feng Mingwen to be built by his family. If they are not military-standard weapons, they are not a big deal.”
Jiang Wan listened and nodded, "That's good. Since it's not a big crime, it's okay to let Dalang suffer some pain."
"Why did Gong Yan say this?" Zhuge Liang originally wanted to persuade Jiang Wan, but he didn't expect to hear this, so he asked in surprise.
"The Prime Minister doesn't know something. Although Dalang has been reading scriptures for a long time, he is too upright and does not know how to adapt. He also thinks too highly of himself and does not understand pragmatism. The last time Wan asked him to work for Han Zhongye, he thought it was a job in the inner palace. Career is not the right path.”
"I did this thing this time because I thought that the arsenal was a state matter and the matter entrusted by Feng Junhou was a private matter, so I made a mistake."
“But he didn’t know that since the arsenal is a state matter, the prime minister has his own arrangements. Therefore, before the prime minister explicitly ordered the recruitment of Han Zhongye, Han Zhongye’s operations were regulated by the palace. What he did was indeed out of order.”
“So this time, it’s better to let him suffer some losses. It will increase his memory and sharpen his temper, so as not to suffer big losses in the future.”
After hearing what Jiang Wan said, Zhuge Liang couldn't help but praise, "Gong Yan's insight is truly something that few people can match!"
He thought for a moment and then asked with a smile, "Isn't Gongyan afraid of that kid's cruelty?"
Jiang Wan smiled confidently, "Although Feng Junhou does not stick to small details, he never fails to pay attention to the big ones. Although Dalang made mistakes, it was for the sake of state affairs. Even if Feng Junhou blames others, he will not be unreasonable and unforgiving."
“Besides, Wan and Feng Junhou have some friendship. For Wan’s sake, Feng Junhou will at most just make Dalang suffer a little, so it should be okay.”
Seeing that Jiang Wan didn't mind this matter, Zhuge Liang finally felt relieved. Otherwise, if one was his right-hand man and possible successor, and the other was the pillar of the country he would leave to His Majesty in the future, there would really be a conflict, which would be difficult to handle. .
So he couldn't help but praise, "Gong Yan is still magnanimous, unlike that kid who can't suffer any loss."
"Prime Minister, you have given me the reward." Jiang Wan said modestly, and then asked hesitantly, "Just Prime Minister, if Hanzhong Arsenal does not recruit Hanzhong Metallurgical Industry Co., Ltd., how will the weapons be made?"
"I was negligent about this matter and did not tell Youchang in advance. I plan to station in Hanzhong, so the generals and supervisors here in Jincheng will transfer most of the craftsmen to the Hanzhong arsenal to form their own weapons. In the workshop, Pu Yuan is appointed as the master craftsman."
Zhuge Liang explained.
Hanzhongye is located in Nanxiang, the land of Nanxiang. It is best not to touch it easily.
Now that the general has Pu Yuan as the supervisor, and there are new techniques for making weapons, why bother to recruit Hanzhongye?
“The Prime Minister wants to enter Hanzhong?”
Jiang Wan was shocked.
"Yes. I am preparing to tell you about this in the past few days."
Zhuge Liang nodded, "I have already written the memorial. Gongyan might as well help me take a look. Is there anything else that needs to be revised?"
Jiang Wan had known for a long time that the Prime Minister had the intention of the Northern Expedition, but he never knew when the Prime Minister would go north. Now that he heard the exact news, although he was surprised at first, besides sighing, he could quickly accept the fact.
In February of the fifth year of Jianxing, the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty came to the table.
As soon as the memorial came out, not only the officials in the court, but also Liu Chan were a little reluctant to give up. "My father-in-law has been marching south to the barren land. He has traveled a long and difficult journey and has not yet settled down. Now he has to go north again. I'm afraid it will be a waste of time and energy."
“It’s better to rest in Jincheng for two or three more years, and let me have more time to learn how to handle government affairs.”
Liu Chan didn't like to study, was lazy by nature, and liked to have fun. In the past, even the affairs in the palace were under the control of the Prime Minister's Office, and he had no freedom at all. Naturally, he wanted to govern himself and gain power.
But in the past three years, the palace has made a lot of money, and the prime minister has no intention of confiscating this money. Now that his desire for fun has been satisfied, his desire to govern has become weaker.
Anyway, even if you are pro-government, as long as the prime minister is still there, the real decision-maker is still the prime minister. So what is the difference between not having pro-government?
Now he feels that his current life is quite good. In addition, in the past few years, his father-in-law has protected him from wind and rain, and he has become dependent on him. All things combined, naturally he is not willing to change his life.
"I have been entrusted by the late emperor with great responsibility, and I have been working hard all day and night. Now that the south is at peace, there is no need to worry about internal affairs. In recent years, there has been an abundance of food in Shu, and there is no fear of shortage of food and grass."
"The only thing we can worry about is that the elites gathered by the late emperor from all over the world are getting old. If it is delayed for a while, no one will be able to take on the big responsibility. If we don't punish the thieves now and restore the Central Plains, how long will it take?"
“The royal nobleman in the palace gave birth to the emperor’s eldest son the year before last. Your Majesty has been a father for more than a year. He is no longer the child he once was. It’s time to learn to handle government affairs.”
That's the bad thing about Xiangfu. He is always too strict with himself. After hearing these words, Liu Chan couldn't help but sigh in his heart, "I know it! When the Han Dynasty is revived, Lao Xiangfu will be there."
Nowadays, all political affairs are decided by the prime minister, no matter how big or small. Even if some of the ministers in the court have objections, they can only remain silent when they see the emperor saying this.
After retiring from the court, Liu Chan returned to the harem. Before he could sit down, he heard a report from his chamberlain: "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister has a secret report of important matters."
Liu Chan was a little surprised when he heard this, "Could it be that Xiangfu has other thoughts about the Northern Expedition?"
At that moment, people were quickly invited in.
Seeing the prime minister, who had turned gray at the temples, walk in, Liu Chan quickly stepped forward and helped him sit down, saying happily, "Did the prime minister change his mind and want to rest in Jincheng for more time?"
Zhuge Liang felt warm in his heart when he saw that Adou's expression of joy did not seem to be fake, "Your Majesty has offended my old minister. There is no reason for your Majesty to sit down and your Majesty to stand. Your Majesty, please sit down first."
Liu Chan said with a smile, "In the old days of the Han Dynasty, when the prime minister came to see the emperor, the emperor would stand up to show courtesy. What's more, not only does the prime minister now have the position of prime minister, but also Zen has been entrusted by the late emperor to do important things like his father. So I Why not stand and listen to the training?"
Zhuge Liang quickly stood up and said, "If your Majesty is standing, I will not dare to sit down."
"Okay, Mr. Xiang, please sit down first. I'll sit down right now." After Liu Chan sat down, he stepped back and then asked, "I wonder what important matter you have, Mr. Xiang, that you need to talk to Zen secretly alone?"
"Your Majesty, I will not change the matters decided by the court easily. But before I leave your Majesty, there are some things that Your Majesty must know. Before I left, I had already made arrangements for all the ministers. Only four of them, I It hasn’t been mentioned yet.”
“But the four people leading the army outside?”
Liu Chan asked.
Zhuge Liang nodded approvingly, "Your Majesty is really smart. Wei Yan, the general in charge of the north, is braver than others. After I arrived in Hanzhong, I wanted to take this man into the palace and assist him in the Northern Expedition. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
“The Northern Expedition will be left to my father-in-law, and there is no need to talk to Chan.”
Liu Chan said very simply.
"Chen arrived in Yong'an and Li Hui in Nanzhong are both loyal and brave people. With these two here, Yong'an and Nanzhong will have no worries. Only Li Yan is protected by the central capital, so your majesty must be careful."
"Li Zhongdu protector?" Liu Chan was shocked, "This man is also a minister of the late emperor Tuogu. Why does the prime minister ask Chan to be careful about him?"
Zhuge Liang let out a long sigh and said, "I dare not hide it from your majesty. After I conquered Nanzhong, all the ministers came to congratulate me, including Li Yan. In his letter, in addition to words of congratulations, there were also many words of praise. ."
At this point, Zhuge Liang hesitated for a moment, looked around again, and then said softly, "Finally, he advised me to accept Jiuxi, become a noble, and become a king..."
Liu Chan trembled after hearing this!
Receive nine tins, become a nobility and become a king?
The last person to do this was Cao Cao, right?
Are you planning to let me learn from the Duke of Shanyang (Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty)?
Thinking of this, Liu Chan suddenly wanted to stand up, but his legs were trembling. He only stood halfway and fell down weakly. He could only look at Zhuge Liang in panic, and uttered two words: "Xiang Liang." father…"
Liu Chan's lips turned white and his whole body was trembling slightly, but he couldn't say a word.
"Your Majesty, don't panic. After I received this letter, I wanted to face Li Yan and reprimand him for his absurd remarks. I just thought that this person was also a person who was entrusted by the late emperor, and he had been guarding the dangerous place of Yong'an for a long time. Therefore, for the overall situation, I could only First I wrote a letter to refute it, and then I tried to find a way to get him to leave Yong'an and let him go to Jiangzhou."
Zhuge Liang felt soft when he saw Liu Chan's appearance and quickly comforted him.
When Liu Chan heard this, his panic calmed down a little. He glanced at Zhuge Liang gratefully, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and said bitterly, "Li Yan is really a rebellious person!"
“Your Majesty, Li Yan went to Jiangzhou and built a big city. He wanted to cut through the mountains and rivers and turn Jiangzhou into a land surrounded by water. He also wanted to carve out five counties into a state and appoint himself as governor.”
Liu Chan almost jumped up when he heard this, "What's the difference between this and treason?"
"Your Majesty, don't be anxious. Li Yan is a person who was entrusted by the late emperor and is highly respected by everyone. Although he is acting rebelliously now, his rebellious intentions have not yet been exposed to others. If he is charged without reason, he will probably disappoint people. "
"What can we do?" Liu Chan asked anxiously, "Since my father-in-law knows that Li Yan has evil intentions, why would he leave me at this time?"
"Your Majesty, it is precisely because I knew that Li Yan had evil intentions that I took advantage of the Northern Expedition to leave Jincheng and let Li Yan think he was successful. Only when he makes a mistake will your Majesty have the opportunity to punish him."
"What if... what if he takes the opportunity... takes the opportunity to learn from Huang Yuan?"
Liu Chan said in a panic.
When the late emperor was seriously ill, Zhuge Liang left Jincheng to visit Yong'an. Liu Chan, who was still the prince at the time, stayed in Jincheng. Huang Yuan, the former Hanjia prefect, heard about this and took the opportunity to raise troops to rebel.
"Your Majesty has no worries. I have sent some Jiangzhou troops to Yong'an a few days ago and put them under the command of Chen Dao. Chen Dao and Li Hui are both loyal and brave people. One of them is in the east and the other in the south. Jiangzhou is sandwiched between the two. In the meantime, Li Yanding does not dare to rebel easily."
"Jincheng is guarded by General Zhao, and Zhang Bao is as brave as his father in Guanxing. With General Zhao as his right and left hand, Jincheng is safe. Yang Hong, the prefect of Shu County, was able to quell the Huang Yuan rebellion. , if there is any change in the elbow or armpit, your majesty can call him and ask him."
"Feng Yong, the chief official of Yuexun, was very good at making changes, had a good understanding of people, and had the ability to lead troops. Last year, the veteran gave him the right to recruit soldiers from the three counties of Yuexun. His subordinates Wang Xun, Huang Chong, and Zhang Both Yi and Gofu are talented. If there is an emergency, he can be secretly summoned to lead his troops back."
"The late Emperor expropriated many good ministers to keep His Majesty. However, most of them were those who followed the late Emperor in the early years and were ministers of Shu. Except for those who had taken refuge with the late Emperor in the early years, the rest cannot be fully trusted. Only this son is rare in recent years. He is a good person and knows important things. I hope your Majesty will get closer to you."
Nowadays, the Han Dynasty is different from the past. It has sufficient troops and food, and can barely afford it. Therefore, the prime minister of the Han Dynasty no longer needs to tolerate Li Yan as deliberately as in the original history. At least he can take precautions early.
Liu Chan first heard about General Zhao, and he felt at ease.
Zhao Yun saved him from danger twice in the past. He had an inexplicable trust in Zhao Yun. He only felt that with Zhao Yun around, everything would be safe.
Hearing that Zhuge Liang actually treated Feng Yong as a secret chess piece and arranged it outside, I finally felt at ease.
"Then Feng Mingwen, Zen will be closer to you. I will remember my father's words in my heart! My father has to prepare for the Northern Expedition and also worry about Zen. It is really hard work. Please accept Zen and pay my respects to him." !”
After saying that, Liu Chan stood up and bowed deeply to Zhuge Liang.
(End of this chapter)