Chapter 196 Willing to trade two counties for Xie Zhen
In the Zhaoyang Palace, Wei Shou was drafting an edict according to Gao Zhan's wishes, and wanted to make Gao Guiyan the right prime minister. Gao Yuanhai advised Gao Zhan:
"Grand Tutor Gao Guiyan's reputation has become too great. Wherever he goes, everyone falls in love with him, and all the nobles in the court interact with him. If he is granted the title of Right Prime Minister, it will definitely increase his arrogance. When the time comes, he will raise his arms and shout, If millions of soldiers and horses fall under his command, it will definitely cause chaos in the country!"
He Shikai also said: "The Taifu is now in a high position and is very satisfied with his ambitions. He has committed corruption and bribery. He has hundreds of concubines in the palace. Your Majesty really cannot add him to the position of right prime minister. Moreover... His Majesty is... The right prime minister is the emperor!"
When He Shikai said this, Gao Zhan's expression really changed. Back then, he and his sixth brother Gao Yan successfully launched a coup to help Gao Yan come to power. Gao Yan named him the Right Prime Minister. His sixth brother also made a promise to him at that time. Then let him be the heir to the throne.
But later he wanted to make his son Gao Baibai the crown prince. He hated Gao Yan for breaking his promise and wanted to launch another rebellion, but Gao Guiyan, who had tens of thousands of troops, stood on his side. Only then did Gao Yan pass the throne to him.
Of course, his mother Lou Zhaojun also contributed to this.
However, if he was not named Prime Minister of the Right, he was afraid that Gao Guiyan would be dissatisfied. When he was in a dilemma, he saw "Xie Zhen" walking into the Zhaoyang Palace as ordered, so he asked: "Xie Qing, come and take a look." , give me some advice, what should I do now?"
After hearing the whole story, Xiao Jinyu secretly wondered: Logically speaking, Gao Guiyan and Gao Yuanhai should be tied to the same boat as Lu Lingxuan, but why are He Shikai and Gao Yuanhai trying to prevent Gao Guiyan's promotion? Could it be the two of them? failed to reach an agreement?
"If Your Majesty is really afraid of his reputation, why not transfer him away from Yecheng, just like the King of Hejian?"
Gao Zhan was very happy, so he asked Wei Shou to rewrite the imperial edict, appoint Gao Guiyan as the governor of Jizhou, and ordered the palace guards not to allow Gao Guiyan to enter the palace again.
Gao Guiyan was about to attend the court meeting when he was told the news by the palace guards. He couldn't help but feel furious. He thought of the letter from Lu Lingxuan he had received the night before. At that time, he was extremely disdainful and secretly thought that a slave who had fallen out of favor still dared to I came to threaten him, but I didn't expect to be tricked by the villain next to His Majesty.
"I heard that in addition to He Shikai and Gao Yuanhai who were slandering and slandering the Taifu's great achievements in His Majesty's ears, even the newly favored Xie Zhen also advised Your Majesty to release you!"
Hearing the news from his spies, Gao Guiyan was even more angry, but the matter was a foregone conclusion and it was impossible to ask His Majesty to take back his life, so he had no choice but to go to Jizhou as ordered.
Before leaving, Prince Gao Rui of Zhao County had a heart-to-heart talk with him, but no one knew what was said between the two of them.
…
"In this case, Gao Guiyan must be resentful of Xie Zhen and dissatisfied with His Majesty. When he arrives in Jizhou, we will fan the flames and tell him that Your Majesty wants to kill him, which will definitely make him rebel. Let He Shikai encourage Your Majesty to order Xie Zhen to suppress the rebellion, and finally... let Gao Guiyan kill Xie Zhen! "
"This tactic of killing someone with a borrowed knife is really a brilliant one!"
Mutipo seemed to have seen the most satisfactory result, with a proud smile on his face.
Lu Lingxuan was calm and collected, but the corners of her lips were slightly raised, showing a lot of expectations.
…
Three more days later, the Zhou State's mission finally arrived in Yecheng. What surprised Xiao Jinyu was that in addition to Dugu Shan, there was also Yu Wenzhi in this mission, and the person responsible for welcoming the Yan family back this time was The leader of the mission was Dou Yi, a general from the Zhou Kingdom, who was born in the Daibei Dou family!
"I heard that Mr. Dou is very upright and strongly opposed to ceding land in exchange for the Yan family, the mother of Yu Wenhu."
Xie Yuxuan informed Xiao Jinyu of all the information received from Zhou State.
"Weigong Yuwenzhi was dismissed by Yuwenhu after his defeat in the Battle of Zhuankou two years ago with Nanchen. Now he has been idle at home. Although he is respectful to Yuwenhu on the surface, he actually harbors resentment. Now he also joins Arriving at the camp of Yuwen Yong, the leader of the Zhou Kingdom.
But this person is very cunning and has his own position. Sister needs to be careful when dealing with this person. "
Xiao Jinyu nodded, and then personally went to Duanmen to greet him as Xie Zhen.
Both Yu Wenzhi and Lonely Shan had seen her on Nanchen Fahua Mountain, so they didn't seem unfamiliar to each other.
Yu Wenzhi, in particular, looked her up and down with a profound look, and said with a smile: "Thank you, Mr. Sir, we meet again!"
"Oh no, I should be called Minister Xie now. I heard that Minister Xie is now favored by the Lord of Qi in the Qi State. He has been promoted all the way and is now an important minister of Qi in a high position.
It’s really a three-day farewell, so it’s quite a surprise! "
Under Yu Wenzhi's introduction, Dou Yi was also fascinated by "Xie Zhen".
Xiao Jinyu also replied politely, and then took them to Taiji Hall to submit their credentials to Qi Lord Gao Zhan.
Gao Zhan ordered a banquet to entertain the Zhou envoys. While the banquet was in full swing, Dou Yi suddenly raised his glass to Gao Zhan and toasted a glass of wine, then turned to Xiao Jinyu.
"This time I am on my mission to your country, I have three questions for Your Majesty. I would like to ask your country's Minister Xie, Xie Zhen?"
Xiao Jinyu also stood up and returned the courtesy: "Excuse me, my dear envoy?"
"I heard that Minister Xie once talked about the way of governing the country when he had peace talks with Governor Wei of the Zhou Dynasty in Yubi City. However, Dou heard that the ancestors of the Xie family entered the official position with Xuan, and that Minister Xie was also a scholar of Xuan, Taoism, Confucianism, and Confucianism. All Buddhas know it, I dare to ask, in Xie Shilang's opinion, what is the right way to govern the country? "
"In the past, He Yan, Wang Bi and others proposed that all things in the world are based on "nothing". They despised the classics, secluded benevolence and righteousness, and wandered around. This caused the gentry to change their ways, causing the etiquette to deteriorate and the music to collapse. The Central Plains Overthrown, the remaining customs and customs are left behind, which is still a problem today.
This crime is worse than that of Jie and Zhou who indulged in violence for a while!
Those who are in their positions, plan their policies, think carefully and debate clearly, should cultivate themselves to respect themselves, cultivate themselves to bring peace to others, and cultivate themselves to bring peace to the people.
Therefore, Zhen Zhen believes that using Confucianism as the knowledge to govern the world, being both an inner saint and an outer king, and implementing benevolent government is the right way to create peace for all ages! "
The last sentence made the sound of pushing cups and changing glasses at the banquet suddenly stop, and Gao Zhan, who was sitting in the Tai Chi Hall, couldn't help but think deeply.
Dou Yi also smiled and nodded slightly when he heard this, and sighed: "Shilang Xie is indeed an extraordinary and sober person, unlike those scholars in the Southern Dynasties who admired A Shi's actions and the legacy of the Wei and Jin Dynasties!"
After saying this, he asked again: "Dou asked for the second time, dare I ask Mr. Xie what his ambitions are?"
This question made everyone look at Xie Zhen curiously, and said to themselves: This question is not easy to answer. Now in the Tai Chi Palace and in front of the emperor, Xie Zhen is already in a high position. He can't answer that he is aiming to be a king, right?
But if you don't answer like this, do you mean that the ambition is just this, or that there is no lofty ambition?
Just as everyone was speculating, Xiao Jinyu smiled and said: "It is the plan of the family to make the Xie family of Chen County no longer sink in the long river of history. This is the first ambition.
My ancestors of the Xie family had a high reputation after the Battle of Feishui, and were also tabooed by the emperor of the Jin Dynasty. Fortunately, Cai Zhonglang's general Huan Yi flew a zither in front of the palace and advised him: "It is not easy to be a king, but it is difficult to be a good minister." If loyalty is not shown, there will be doubts. ’
Only then did he avoid the disaster, resigned and retired.
This is what I preach through words and deeds: to bring stability to the world, to achieve success and retire, and the people will call me natural, this is to achieve the second ambition. "
Hearing this sentence, Dou Yi's eyes lit up even more, and he looked at Xiao Jinyu with even more admiration.
There were also whispers in the hall, and there was a complicated and unspeakable change in Gao Zhan's eyes.
"Excuse me, what is the third question?" Xiao Jinyu asked first while Dou Yi was silent.
At this time, Dou Yi came to his senses, saluted Xiao Jinyu, and replied with a very respectful attitude:
"My third question to Your Majesty is, I heard that Xie Shilang once accepted the emperor's assessment in the Taiji Hall of Qi State, and he wrote a poem: "People have joys and sorrows, separation and reunion, and the moon has clouds and eyes. This matter is difficult to complete in ancient times, but "May we live together for a long time and share the beauty of the moon thousands of miles away" is the whole poem? "
"No!" Xiao Jinyu replied decisively.
Her answer caused a buzz around her. One sentence of a poem is enough to be famous throughout the ages, but it's not a full poem?
Dou Yi's eyes lit up even more, and he couldn't wait to ask: "What is the whole poem?"
"When will the bright moon come? Ask the sky for wine."
Xiao Jinyu didn't hesitate at all, raised his glass, looked at the jade steps outside the palace filled with light, and chanted.
It was a full moon night, and the bright moon was shining in the sky outside the Tai Chi Hall, making it look particularly clear.
"I wonder what year it is today in the palace in the sky?"
After two sentences came out, everyone was silent.
"I want to ride the wind back home, but I'm afraid it's too cold in the high places."
When they thought about how cold it was to be at a high place, many of the ministers at the banquet fell silent, and even Gao Zhan had a hint of shock in his eyes.
"Dancing and clearing the shadows, it seems like they are in the human world."
"..."
After the whole poem was read, no one could speak. Some people even sighed in a low voice: "It's so cold at a high place!" It actually made many people feel the same sadness that accompanying you is like accompanying a tiger. .
Dou Yi was silent for a long time again, as if he was immersed in the atmosphere of this poem. After a long time, he straightened up his appearance, walked out of the banquet, and faced Gao Zhan, the Emperor of Qi.
"Your Majesty, I have one more thing to say to Your Majesty, and I need to ask for Your Majesty's instructions!"
Gao Zhan said: "Please tell me!"
"I admire His Majesty Xie Shilang's talent and name, and I am thirsty for talents. I said, in addition to welcoming back Yan Ji, the mother of Otsuka Zai, I also want to ask for someone from Your Majesty.
For this person, I, the State of Zhou, are willing to exchange two counties for you! "
Dou Yi raised his hand respectfully to salute, and spoke with sonorous words.
Two counties!
With a crash, everyone present, including Qi Chen and Zhou Envoy, stood up in surprise.
"Who does your Majesty want, that he is willing to exchange for two counties?" someone couldn't help but ask.
Dou Yi then turned his attention to "Xie Zhen" sitting directly opposite him, and replied in a very gentle tone: "This is the Minister Xie, Xie Zhen!"
Whoosh whoosh! Everyone's eyes were focused on Xiao Jinyu again, which made her feel unnatural for a moment.
Gao Yanzong, who was sitting next to him, became even more nervous.
If she is really Xie Zhen, she can naturally choose to serve another country, but she is his fourth sister-in-law, Princess Lanling!
Moreover, although Zhou Envoy's words ostensibly showed how much the Zhou Kingdom valued Xie Zhen, it undoubtedly put her in the crosshairs!
"What is this? Minister Xie is not a piece of goods from our Qi country, how can we exchange it at will?"
Gao Yanzong was afraid that Gao Zhan would agree immediately, so he stood up in a hurry and retorted.
"Mr. Sir, please don't misunderstand me. Your Majesty, I respect the virtuous and only promote talents. The two counties just recognize and respect Minister Xie, and have no intention of exchanging him as goods!"
"May I ask your envoy, is this the intention of your country's Otsuka Prime Minister Yu Wenhu? Or is it the intention of your country's leader?" Xiao Jinyu couldn't help but ask.
Dou Yi was silent for a moment and replied: "It's my intention towards His Majesty and has nothing to do with Otsuka Zai!"
Xiao Jinyu nodded: "Okay, I understand."
What does this mean? The meaning of Yu Wenhu and the meaning of the leader of the Zhou Kingdom, don't they both represent the Zhou Kingdom?
The ministers of Qi State present were full of doubts in their hearts, and they all turned their attention to Gao Zhan in the Taiji Hall. However, they saw that the emperor who had always acted ridiculously fell silent at this moment.
Under Dou Yi's expectant gaze, the emperor suddenly raised his eyes, with a sly smile on his lips.
"I know your envoy's sincerity. However, the leader of your country values the virtuous and meritocratic people. Don't I value the virtuous?"
Gao Zhan laughed jokingly for a while, then said seriously, "Sorry, I won't change!
Your envoy should take Yan, the mother of Otsuka Zai of your country, back to Zhou as soon as possible! "
Gao Zhan's answer undoubtedly shocked everyone in the hall!
This ridiculous emperor actually knows how to value talents? If we really valued the virtuous, we wouldn't have kissed the villains and the virtuous ministers, and killed so many loyal ministers and good generals!
Gao Yanzong's clenched fists relaxed and he couldn't help but smile when he looked at Xiao Jinyu.
Dou Yi also expected that the emperor of Qi was ridiculous, so he would not be able to resist such temptation. Unexpectedly, he... refused?
After a moment of silence, Dou Yi bowed his hands in disappointment and retreated to the table.
The banquet became silent and dull.
After Dou Yi submitted his credentials, he said goodbye to the Lord of Qi and returned to Zhou State with Yuwenhu's mother the next day.
Before leaving, Yu Wenhu's mother, Yan, specifically asked to see Xiao Jinyu. Although her eyes were dim, the elderly lady was very kind and happy when she saw Xiao Jinyu dressed as "Xie Zhen".
"Are you the brother that the young man mentioned? Thank you to this young man for allowing me to return to the Kingdom of Zhou."
"Old Madam, you're welcome. This is what your son asked for! I hope you can enjoy your old age in peace after returning to Zhou Kingdom!"
"Thank you!"
The old lady thanked her solemnly, and then got on the mission's carriage under the leadership of Dou Yi.
Seeing this situation, Dou Yi was very surprised and puzzled. When the delegation left, he couldn't help but ask:
"Old madam, why are you so respectful and grateful to Mr. Xie?"
Yan replied: "I don't know what you are aware of. This Minister Xie is a smart and kind man. The last time His Majesty the Qi State wanted to send me back to the State of Zhou, this Minister Xie was right. Last time he was not the best." If the timing is right, it will definitely cause trouble on the way. As expected, as soon as he left Yecheng, he encountered robbers and pursuers.
Later, the young man told me that I don't have to worry about it. Maybe it won't be long before envoys from the Kingdom of Zhou will come to personally welcome me back home.
No, are you really here? "
"And during the period when I lived in the Beigong of Qi State, this Minister Xie sent people to protect me and stopped people who wanted to assassinate me several times.
This Minister Xie has been kind to me, but unfortunately I may not be able to repay him in this life! "
Dou Yi fell silent again and thought to himself: It seems that what Governor Wei said is not false at all. This Xie Zhen is really good at predicting events and has planned all this early.
What a pity! It turns out that neither county can exchange for such a talent!
While he was thinking about it, the mission's motorcade suddenly stopped. He opened the curtain and saw that "Xie Zhen" had brought someone over.
"Xie Shilang, what do you want to do?"
Xiao Jinyu then raised her hand and gave a salute, pushed out the person behind her, and said: "This is Duguluo, the eldest son of General Du Guxin of your country Zhuguo. Please take him back to the Zhou Kingdom with you!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Dugushan jumped off the carriage and walked over.
But Duguluo was very reluctant and said: "No, I don't want to go back now. Xie Shilang, I will just help you in the Xinghua Yanyu Building, which is very good!"
"But you are the son of General Gu Xin, how can you succumb to a building with apricot blossoms and misty rain?
What's more, if your loved ones are still alive, you should fulfill your filial piety. Don't wait until your father is gone to regret that your son wanted to support you but didn't wait for you! "
"Go back!" Xiao Jinyu said solemnly again.
Seeing that Duguluo was still hesitating, she handed Lonely Luo a jade pendant and said: "We have met each other, and this is my gift to you to return home and reunite with your relatives!
Go back! "
In the previous life, the state of Qi did not release Dugu Luo until Dugu Xin died. After being released, Dugu Luo lived in poverty. It was not until the fall of Northern Qi that he returned to the state of Zhou and recognized his relatives.
Duguluo stopped talking, but there was a hint of reluctance in his eyes. This was the first person he met in his life who offered him a helping hand and showed kindness.
Dugushan also raised his hand and said, "Thank you!" and pulled Lonely Luo into the carriage together.
The envoy left and walked a long way. Duguluo still looked at the Yecheng gate with nostalgia, until he could no longer see Xie Zhen's figure.
After Xiao Jinyu returned to Lanling Palace, Xie Yuxuan joked: "Sister, do you really pity that lonely Luo?"
"What else do you think?"
"I thought the fun was yet to come!" Xie Yuxuan said, but seeing Xiao Jinyu seeming deep in thought, she asked again, "Are you worried about the prince?"
(End of chapter)