Chapter 45: Audience
Chapter 45: Audience
Shao Xun and Mi Huang entered the city from the Jianchun Gate in the east.
Because the Jizhou soldiers switched to defense, the situation in the east of the city eased slightly, so the Jianchun Gate was opened for one or two hours every day to allow the soldiers to go out to collect firewood - if there was no firewood, cooking would be a problem and the houses would have to be demolished.
This is war.
When two armies fight, attacking the other side's woodcutters has always been an important tactic.
"Superintendent, have the bandits attacked Jianchun Gate again after October?" Shao Xun asked softly when entering the city to search.
The people guarding the gate were probably from the Seventh Army of the Imperial Guard, and they checked very carefully. Even though Mi Huang had the seal in his hand, they still waited for a long time before letting him in.
As for Shao Xun, he didn't even have an official certificate, and he didn't even know whether there were identity documents such as official certificates or certificates in this era. In the end, he still entered the city as Mi Huang's follower.
"There have been one or two such incidents." Mi Huang thought for a moment and said, "I also heard from others that not many people came, and only several thousand infantry and cavalry were repelled by the king's army."
Shao Xun nodded.
It looked like the enemy wasn't really attacking. They were just a few thousand men, just testing us.
"The ones who came to test us are the Yamen Army, so the fighting will be very brutal." Mi Huang said again.
Shao Xun was silent.
It should be the part of the Luoyang Imperial Guards who defected to Sima Ying. There were more than 20,000 of them, but I don’t know how many are left now.
I heard that in the Battle of Jianchun Gate a while ago, when the Ye army was defeated, it was they who launched a resolute counterattack, which prevented the royal army from taking more heads.
They came to harass again, and the king's army was at odds with each other. Those who died were the elite Luoyang Central Army. If the battle continued, I'm afraid they would all be destroyed.
In fact, from a historical perspective, the destruction of more than 100,000 infantry and cavalry in the Luoyang central army was a catastrophe.
After they left, even though Sima Yue, who was in power, tried his best to rebuild the Luoyang Central Army, there was not much of the old foundation left, and the "Second Emperor" of the Central Army was just a showpiece.
From then on, the military system in the north began to be reconstructed, and various forces competed to appear on the scene. From the initial infighting, they gradually developed their levels and combat effectiveness.
The South also began the painful military reconstruction, slowly transitioning from a mob at the beginning to a regular army.
And this process is a catastrophe for the people.
Some armies have very poor combat capabilities, but their ability to wreak havoc on the people is epic.
Shao Xun could see the course of history, but he could not stop it. At least, the destruction of the Luoyang Central Army was inevitable - they didn't have many people left now, and the two camps combined had at most 40,000 people.
After entering the city through Jianchun Gate, the two men turned north and arrived at the imperial road inside Dongyang Gate. They passed through another checkpoint before they were allowed to travel west.
The Imperial Road inside Dongyang Gate is the east-west axis of Luoyang City, leading directly to the Changhe Gate of the Imperial Palace. The followers of Sima Jue and Sima Yi once fought on this street, with many casualties. And many dignitaries lived on this street.
For example, to the southwest of Dongyang Gate is the residence of former Prime Minister Xun Xu.
The Xun family was a well-known wealthy family in Henan. Several of Xun Xu's sons became prominent officials, and one of his daughters even married Sima Yan, the King of Wu, and gave birth to a son, Sima Ye (later Emperor Min of Jin).
To the north of Xun Xu's house is the old house of Shi Chong, the former minister of state. It covers a vast area and is magnificent, but no one knows who it belongs to.
Outside Dongyang Gate is the Outer Imperial Road, two miles away from the city, where there are the old residences of the lords of Wu and Shu, which are connected to the horse market.
In short, this imperial road is extraordinary, with many dignitaries. It is much better than the imperial road outside Kaiyang Gate where Shao Xun was stationed before, and the people living there are of a higher class on average.
The two men walked west for a while and arrived at Sikong Mansion.
"Mi Duhu." The gatekeeper saluted immediately when he saw him from afar.
Mi Huang hummed.
Shao Xun returned the gift.
"Is the lord at home?" Mi Huang asked.
"We are discussing matters in the palace."
"Who are you discussing this with?"
The sergeant did not answer.
Mi Huang showed a slight displeasure on his face, but said nothing.
Shao Xun observed silently.
Mi Huang was usually very polite to him, but that was a friendship forged from their experience of carrying guns and fighting for their lives together. He might not be like this when facing other people.
Well, this is a good opportunity to understand Mi Huang's personality and other side of his attitude towards life.
"Please inform him that Shao Dubo and I have arrived and want to see you regarding important matters," said Mi Huang.
"Yes." Someone soon came in to report.
Mi Huang and Shao Xun waited patiently.
After a while, a servant came out to greet them and led them inside.
Shao Xun looked closely and found that it was Pei Shiliu.
He suddenly thought of the princess, wondering if he could meet her this time. Then he reflected on himself, thinking that there was something wrong with him, why did he always want to see other people's wives?
However, the princess is his great benefactor and biggest supporter.
The most important thing is that the princess is a very smart woman. Although she does not participate in politics, she can always protect him from the wind and rain through various means.
It’s a pity that I can’t see you now.
******
The three of them walked silently on the elegant and quiet path.
Suddenly, Pei Shiliu said in a barely audible voice: "General Wang came to visit and proposed that Liu Qia be appointed as the lieutenant of Donghai State. The princess said, 'Sima Liu has not done anything, how can he be appointed to such an important position?' The matter was dropped."
After saying that, Pei Shiliu kept silent, as if nothing had happened.
Mi Huang and Shao Xun looked at each other and felt fortunate.
Wang Dao is a bit too much. When did he get in touch with Liu Qia?
Liu Qia is also like this. Is there something wrong with his brain? What kind of family background do you have? Does Wang Dao really think highly of you? I'm afraid you will be used as a gun. In addition, Shao Xun also felt something unusual.
He didn't know much about Wang Dao's character, so he could only make some guesses based on the general history he knew and the current situation.
From a historical perspective, Wang Dao and Sima Rui were in the same group. They went to Xia Pi together, then crossed the river and headed south to establish the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
In Xia Pi, who was the leader, Wang or Ma? If we can figure this out, many problems will be solved.
From a historical perspective, Shao Xun felt that Wang Dao was most likely the leader. He chose Sima Rui because they had a good relationship, and secondly, was it because Sima Rui's personality was easy to grasp?
"Supervisor..." Shao Xun called softly.
"What's the matter?"
"Does the Supervisor know what kind of person Wang Rui of Langya is?"
"Respectful and yielding."
That's right! Shao Xun suddenly realized something and seemed to have figured out something.
Wang Dao was not targeting him or Mi Huang. Could he be targeting the Pei family?
He probably regarded himself and Mi Huang as Pei family's lackeys. Thinking of the rumor that Pei Dun wanted to become the governor of Xuzhou, Shao Xun felt heavy in his heart.
Is there more than one Wang Dao? The Wang family of Langya is a large family, and there are other children. Do they all have tasks?
It just so happened that Director Wang was assigned to Xuzhou?
Do the other disciples also have their own goals to strive for?
There was too little information to make a judgement. But Shao Xun was already very satisfied, as this was the advantage of a time traveler.
If he was a native, he would be really confused if he didn't know about Wang Dao's later partnership with Sima Rui in Xuzhou.
Unfortunately, his historical knowledge was limited. Apart from knowing Wang Dao who assisted in the establishment of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, he only knew about Wang Dun who rebelled.
Where did Wang Dun go later? Did he intend to become a provincial governor or military governor?
No one could answer him.
Pity.
The three of them walked in silence and soon arrived outside Sima Yue's study.
Pei Shiliu went in and reported the matter, and the two were allowed in.
"See my lord."
"See Sikong."
Mi Huang and Shao Xun bowed and saluted.
"Sit down." Sima Yue gave an order, and a maid brought a cushion.
The two of them knelt down together.
This was not the first time Shao Xun had seen Sima Yue, but he had never observed him so closely.
Judging from his figure behind the desk, he is most likely of medium build.
Long face, slightly thin, with slightly prominent cheekbones.
There were fine wrinkles on his forehead, his eyes looked a little tired, and his lips were tightly pursed, as if he was angry with someone.
His beard is well-groomed and he seems to pay great attention to his image.
Overall, he seems to be an anxious, exhausted and down-and-out middle-aged man.
But Shao Xun quickly denied this.
Sima Yue could not be said to be in dire straits.
His current appearance was probably caused by long-term suffering.
As for what he was going to do, the time traveler also knew.
Yes, Shao Xun was not clear about the historical details, but it was clear that Sima Yue was the victor of the Rebellion of the Eight Kings.
Thinking of Mi Huang's hint and the current situation in Luoyang, Shao Xun just wanted to complain: You are playing very well! Are you going to do something big now? No wonder it's so painful.
Being timid is Sima Yue's consistent style.
He might not be used to taking the initiative, not to mention that it's too risky. If he's not careful, the whole family could be in trouble. I guess he hasn't slept well recently.
There was another person in the study, he was short, chubby and well-maintained.
The eyes are sharp and slightly scrutinizing, but not too aggressive.
He did not sit upright like Mi Huang and Shao Xun, but knelt there in a relaxed manner, with a sense of leisure. He did not change even after Mi and Shao came in, which showed his considerable confidence.
This is Director Wang, whom Shao Xun has met.
Today's scene is a bit exciting.
To be honest, he prefers real fighting to face-to-face fighting rather than such political occasions, because he knows himself and knows where his strengths and weaknesses are.
The Art of War says: "Play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses."
It is really unwise to fight with the aristocratic families. Only by playing knife fighting with them can you display your own skills.
Besides, the princess is not here, which is a little regrettable...
"I have called you here today because there is a matter of life and death." Sima Yue finished the official business at hand, raised his head, and spoke at a leisurely pace.
Mi Huang and Shao Xun immediately raised their heads and pretended to listen.
Wang Dao also straightened his body slightly.
Here comes the drama.
(End of this chapter)