Huan Rong

Shengjia entered Huainan and arrived in the county within a few days.

When the local officials and people heard the news, they went out of the city early to welcome them, and some elders offered tiger skins before the royal driver.

The tiger skin is very intact, except for the arrow marks on the tiger's eyes.Not counting the tiger tail, the body length is more than two meters.

Seeing the tiger skin, Huan Rong immediately became interested, and called the tiger hunters to come forward and inquire about the process in detail.

Knowing that he is a hunter from a nearby village, just after his thirties, he also hunted black bears and wild boars in addition to tigers, all thanks to his archery skills and strength beyond ordinary people, he immediately rewarded him with gold, silver and silk, and said: "I would like to join the army." ?”

Hearing this, Orion showed an excited expression, bowed his head and said "yes".

Who doesn't know that private soldiers in Youzhou are well paid?

Huan Rong ascended the throne as emperor, and Xun You took over the governorship of Youzhou. The military and administration mostly continued the original rules without much change.In addition, civilian households are farming, craftsmen are working, business is prosperous, and state soldiers are guarding border counties. The salary has not been reduced, but is even better than before.

A notice was posted in the state before, Orion wanted to join the army, but he was worried about his parents, wife and children at home, thinking about hunting more wild animals, saving enough money and food, and going to the state city after this winter.

Not wanting to be happy, the emperor happened to pass by Huainan when he was hunting in Youzhou.

Orion didn't think much about offering this tiger skin at first.In the end, Huan Rong spoke up in person, there was no reason why he shouldn't.

The so-called opportunity cannot be lost, and it will never come again.

The emperor's reward was extremely rich, and the value was far more than a piece of tiger skin.In addition to gold, silver and cloth, there are also many kinds of grain and wheat.With these, the livelihood of the family is not a problem.If I join the army as I wish, I will make meritorious service on the battlefield in the future, and I will be able to make a living for future generations.

There was no imperial examination system at this time.

For common people who want to stand in court and become high-ranking officials, the possibility is infinitely close to zero.

As the Son of Heaven, Huan Rong can run schools in prefectures and counties, implement the official inspection system in government offices, try to start from the frontier, move forward step by step, and change the existing system.But there are limits to what you can do, you can't do it arbitrarily, and you can't ignore it and directly pry the core of the Nine-Rank Zhongzheng System.

If you really dare to do this, it is tantamount to making an enemy of the entire gentry.

A concept that is too advanced, even if it is out of good intentions, will be proven by later generations to be beneficial to the country and the people, and it may not bring good results if it is promoted when the conditions are not ripe.A little carelessness can even lead to a disaster.

For details, please refer to Wang Mang, who established the new dynasty.

This dear friend, like Yao Guangxiao, is a possible "traversal" person in the eyes of future generations.

The difference is that Wang Mang was very successful in the first half of his life, but failed completely after usurping the throne; Yao Guangxiao was called the prime minister in black and tried his best to push Ming Chengzu to the throne. After that, he retreated bravely and died well.

Huan Rong traveled to the Eastern Jin Dynasty, more than 300 years late, and could not meet Wang Mang face to face.But he kept Wang Mang's lesson in mind, and he must not act recklessly before the time is ripe.

To give an inappropriate example, it is also a fantasy to send the top masters of later generations back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty, gather the best craftsmen for them, and let them try to build atomic bombs.

Only ghosts can be created.

Based on the above, Huan Rong can't make drastic reforms, but can only continue to subtly.The purpose of leading people on a hunting tour this time is to let these gentlemen of the gentry open their eyes and reserve strength for changing the court in the future.

However, there are exceptions to this.

Common people could not take imperial examinations to become officials, but there were not many restrictions on joining the army.

By virtue of military exploits, he can still be promoted and honored, and shade his descendants.Even if he couldn't reach the height of Sima Huan and Xie Xuan after the battle of Feishui, it would not be a big problem to become the head of the corps, the head of the team, or even the leader of the team.

Youzhou has long been advocating martial arts, and most of the young and strong have the heart to join the army and kill the enemy.This time, the emperor personally recruited him, Orion's face turned red, and his excitement was beyond words.

The clansmen and villagers who came with him were also happy for him.They all bowed to the side of the road to praise the holiness of the emperor.

This small episode did not affect Shengjia's entry into the city.

The prefect of Huainan welcomed Shengjia into the mansion, and the main room and the guest room were cleaned up. The furnishings may not be exquisite, but a lot of thought was spent on them.

After resting for a while, Huan Rong summoned the officials of the government office to inquire about the military affairs of the border area.

From the Huainan prefect down, most of them were officials who had been evaluated by Huan Rong when he was in Youzhou.More than half of them were born in local tyrants, and all questions mentioned by the emperor were answered without any omission.

"There was a Northland caravan entering the city before, which is not like an ordinary businessman. The servants are closely watching and checking, but no news has been sent back yet."

"Northern Caravan?"

"Judging from his accent, he seems to be from Bingzhou."

The Bingzhou mentioned by the prefect of Huainan was not the territory drawn by Diqin and Murong Xianbei when they occupied the north, but the state and county set up by the imperial court in the Western Han Dynasty.Han and Hu live together here, and the power of the Qiang and Jie people once flourished.

Thinking about the identity of the visitor, Huan Rong frowned slightly.

At this moment, an eunuch outside the door came to report that an envoy from Chang'an had come to see Sheng Jia with the letter of Qin Ce's state.

"Chang'an envoy?"

Huan Rong looked surprised, looked at the same surprised Huainan prefect, inexplicably came up with an idea that this envoy was related to the businessman mentioned by the latter.

But since people have come, they cannot be dismissed casually.

Knowing that the visitor was carrying the certificate of credentials and the official seal of the imperial court that could prove his identity, Huan Rong did not neglect, immediately called the visitor into the main room, and at the same time sent someone to invite Xie An Wang Biaozhi.

In any case, when someone from the North comes, the two should always be there.

After a while, there was a sound of footsteps outside the door.

Xie An and Wang Biaozhi arrived successively.

Xie An's expression was the same as usual, without any clues.Wang Biaozhi frowned, feeling a bit worried.

"Chang'an came here at this time, I don't know why."

Huan Rong shook his head.

He can understand Wang Biaozhi's worry, but what should come will always come, and it can't be stopped.Instead of thinking about all kinds of worries, it's better to calm down your emotions for a while, and then worry about it when you see someone coming.

After a while, footsteps sounded outside the door again.

The footsteps were getting closer and closer, and through the door, one could feel a frosty chill.

Huan Rong was slightly stunned, looking at the slender figure standing in front of the door against the light, his eyes caught on a familiar face, remembering the text message he had received before, he subconsciously held his fingers together.

He should have thought of it earlier!

Fortunately, the attention of Xie An and Wang Biaozhi was attracted by the visitor, otherwise, according to Huanrong's current mood, there is a high probability that they would reveal their secrets on the spot.

Qin Jing paused in front of the door, and then walked into the room.

Facing Huan Rong who was sitting in front of the screen, Qin Jing looked solemn and saluted meticulously.When he stood up, a real smile flashed across his eyes.

Xie An and Wang Biaozhi didn't notice it, Huan Rong looked straight at it, feeling a little uncomfortable for no reason.Not only for the look in the eyes of the other party, but also for this unprecedented gift.

"Jing was ordered to go south to deliver the letter of credence to the emperor of the Han Dynasty."

Huan Rong nodded, asked Qin Jing to get up, and ordered the eunuch to fetch the letter of credence.

Qin Ce proclaimed himself emperor in Chang'an, and he was also a Han regime, so it was not uncommon to deliver the letter of credence.However, seeing the contents of the letter of credence, Huan Rong's face changed slightly, and his jaw tensed unconsciously.

"The above writings are all the intention of Emperor Qin?"

"Exactly."

"Okay, I got it."

There is not much content in the letter of credence, mainly to inform Jiankang that the Qin family unified the north and established a system in Chang'an, and will soon go to the land of Sanhan.Both belong to the Han family regime, so they should form friendship with each other and restore China.

A few more sentences are added at the end, knowing that the Youzhou seagoing ship has arrived in Sanhan, and it is the same as the local market.In order to eradicate Murong Xianbei completely, please Jiankang think carefully, don't continue to do it, so as to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings in the army in the future.

Is this for bonding?

It is clearly a demonstration!

It looks ordinary on the surface, but after thinking about the meaning behind it, it is no wonder that Huan Rong's expression changed.

Seeing the stern expression on the Son of Heaven's face, showing some faint anger, Xie An and Wang Biaozhi turned their heads together.Xie An had a calm temperament and didn't speak immediately, but Wang Biaozhi didn't care about it, and asked on the spot what was written in the letter of credence and what made Huan Rong change his face.

"Chang'an intends to form a friendship." Huan Rong took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Emperor Qin intends to send troops to attack Murong Xianbei."

After the end, Huan Rong didn't continue to speak, but handed the letter of credence to Xie An, signaling him to pass it on to Wang Biaozhi.

As expected, the expressions of the two also changed after seeing it.Wang Biaozhi glared at Qin Jing even more, if he was not held back by Xie An, he would definitely question him on the spot.

What exactly does Chang'an mean?

Is this a good knot?

It is clear that they want to make a grudge!

Qin Jing sat as usual, not disturbed by the smell of gunpowder in the air.After Wang Biaozhi suppressed his anger, he raised his eyes to look at Huan Rong, and said, "What is Your Majesty's intention?"

Huan Rong stared at the person in front of him, and said for a long time, "I already understand the meaning of Chang'an."

Just to make it clear, did not give a "commitment", and did not get angry on the spot, and wanted to retaliate against Chang'an's threat.

Their eyes met, Huan Rong didn't back down, Qin Jing lowered his gaze for the second time, and didn't continue to speak.

The two of them didn't say anything, but they seemed to understand everything clearly.

"General Qin rests for now."

Huan Rong summoned the eunuch, led Qin Jing to rest in the guest room, and said that he would draw up a reply letter as soon as possible, and hand it to Qin Jing to take back to Chang'an.

"Your Majesty, Chang'an's intentions are not good." After Qin Jing left, Xie An said, "This time seems to be a good relationship, but it actually has the meaning of spying and deterrence. If you reply carelessly, it may lead to a military disaster."

"Worries about military disasters have long existed!" Wang Biaozhi disagreed with Xie An's words, "Since the previous dynasty crossed the river, Jiankang was the orthodox of the Han Dynasty. The Qin family has lived in the north for a long time. It's really arrogant, if you don't put Jiankang in your eyes, how can you just show weakness?"

If you reply politely and don't reply at all, you will be looked down upon 100% by the other party, and you will be short by half immediately.

"Your Majesty, I don't mean to show weakness." Xie An said with a frown, not wanting to think whether Wang Biaozhi really didn't realize it, or he said it deliberately in front of Huan Rong.

Either way, now is not the time to care.

"Does Xie Shizhong have a countermeasure?" Huan Rong asked.

"Your Majesty, the minister's intention is to stabilize it with the letter of state first, and then use the opportunity of patrolling to send troops to Bianzhou. And increase troops to Liangzhou and Hezhou as soon as possible to ensure that Longxi, Guzang and other places are not lost."

"Longxi and Guzang?"

Xie An nodded, dipped his fingers in the tea soup, and continued to draw on the low couch.First circle Chang'an, then extend westward and southward respectively, and circle Guzang in Longxi and Hanzhong.

"The Qin family started with soldiers, and Qin Bomian's generals are full of talents. If there is a military incident, they will not go straight to Jiankang. Ninety percent of them will invade Hanzhong and cut off the passage from Hezhou to Liangzhou. Chen Bing supports the wind and descends slightly to Yang Tianshui, then we will The generals stationed in Guzang suddenly became a lone army. Without reinforcements and cut off food and grass, they will eventually be destroyed."

The worry revealed in Xie An's words was exactly the same as that of Huan Si.

The difference is that Huan Si lacked experience after all, and felt that Guzang was in danger, so he only wanted to increase troops in Liangzhou in order to preserve it; Xie An directly focused on the overall situation, and the entire border was under consideration.

"Your Majesty, a decision on this matter should be made early, and it may change later."

Xie An pondered for a moment, then said: "I have another matter that I don't understand."

"What's the matter?"

"Qin Bomian should have thought that sending this book to the imperial court would surely arouse His Majesty's anger. However, he did not send anyone else, but took his parents and children as envoys. The minister was a bit puzzled."

That's what he said, but his expression was completely different.

Huan Rong thought he had a bit of ability to read people's words, and from Xie Shizhong's performance, he was clearly hinting at him: Qin Ce's father and son are at odds!

Not only did he understand, Wang Biaozhi also knew it clearly.

However, among the three present, only Huan Rong knew something of the reason.Xie An and Wang Biaozhi deduced the result, but could not guess the reason.

As a human being, Qin Ce should not be so close and self-destructive, is he confused?

Or maybe it was a misjudgment. This is a play jointly performed by Qin's father and son, in order to gain Qin Jing's trust, take the opportunity to inquire about Jiankang's news, and play a trick?

There is also a possibility that Qin Ce sent Qin Jing here, neither because he was confused or because he was planning, but because he intentionally provoked Jiankang.As long as Jiankang takes action, no matter whether Qin Jing is alive or dead, it is the best excuse to send troops.

But, is it possible?

Unable to make a judgment in a short time, the two gave similar suggestions, leaving Qin Jing and his party in Huainan temporarily, and immediately sent people to Chang'an to inquire about the news.

"Okay." Huan Rong nodded, "You can act accordingly."

"promise!"

Xie An and Wang Biaozhi each went down to make arrangements, while Huan Rong sat alone in the inner room, looking at the letter of credence in front of him, lost in thought for a long time.

The Son of Heaven looked solemn and remained motionless for a long time, even the eunuchs and maidservants did not dare to disturb him.

Suddenly, a flutter of wings broke the silence.

A pigeon flew in from outside the door, flapped its wings, and flew straight to Huan Rong.He groaned twice, and rubbed his little head against Huan Rong's hand, obviously in a fawning manner.

"A Yuan?"

Huan Rong raised his eyebrows, seeing the bamboo tube on the pigeon's back, he couldn't help being curious.

Judging from the size, it is afraid that there is more than just silk cloth inside.

Sure enough, the bamboo tube was opened, and inside was a wooden bottle as thick as a pinky finger, sealed with wax, which was a new spice made by Mrs. Li.

In addition, there is another silk cloth the size of half a palm.After unfolding, there were only a few lines of handwriting, and Huan Rong blushed when he saw it. He suspected that there was something wrong with his eyes, or he didn't have a deep understanding of the seal script, and misunderstood the meaning.

"This is..." What kind of fragrance is that?

As for that, it's really hard to say clearly.

Huan Rong picked up the wooden bottle, held it up to his eyes for a closer look, thinking of what was said in the letter, his face turned red again.

As soon as Qin Jing's front foot arrived, the pigeon flew into Huainan with its back foot.

Is it a coincidence?

Or did Mrs. Li know Huan Rong's thoughts in advance, and sent the spices after making them, and asked him to carry them with him, so that he would be safe?Are these four words appropriate here?

Huan Rong was puzzled.

The only thing he knew was that the wooden bottle was inexplicably "hot" in the palm of his hand.How could he look straight at someone with this in his pocket?

Just as he was thinking, the eunuch came to report, and Qin Jing asked to see him again.

The corner of Huan Rong's mouth twitched, and the wooden bottle almost dropped from his hand.