Chapter 354 Shogunate

Chapter 354 Shogunate

Chapter 354 Shogunate
He Lun hurried to Kaocheng.

Kaocheng County was abolished in the early years of the Guochao Dynasty. It was restored when Jiyang State was established for the first time, but there was no county seat. So they hastily built a new county seat. The area was greatly reduced, and the circumference of the city was only a few miles. It was narrow and cramped, and really could not accommodate many people.

After the Zhenjun Shogun's shogunate moved in, it first occupied an abandoned manor in the southwest of the city as the residence of the Zhenjun Shogun and the concubine and the place where they issued orders.

The general of Zhenjun is young and unmarried, and his main task at present is to study.

As for all the affairs of the shogunate, all of them were reported to the dowager, who would review them and give her approval, which would then be sent to various places for execution.

This may be the most powerful woman in the world at this time.

Nominally, he controlled nine counties (including Jiyang County), had dozens of assistants and more than ten generals to obey his orders, and could command nearly 20,000 troops.

If the four counties of Donghai Kingdom are included, it would be really amazing.

To put it bluntly, Mr. Chen's strength may not be as good as Concubine Pei's.

However, Lord Chen was the man behind Concubine Pei. Without Lord Chen, Concubine Pei would not have been able to obtain Yanzhou. In a sense, Concubine Pei was Lord Chen's "strength".

Of course, on the other hand, if there were no heir to the throne and the queen dowager, Lord Chen would not be able to easily control Yanzhou.

If we unite, both will benefit; if we separate, both will suffer.

The mistress who still has her charm and the young and brave retainer, hehe, even Old He couldn't help but secretly complain about her.

The manor is undergoing a small-scale renovation, and a group of servants from the Luoyang Palace and Guangchengze Tangliyuan are working hard to clean the manor.

Pei Shiliu was still the one in charge. He was outside the mansion identifying newly bought servants and maids, planning to expand the manor's staff.

When he saw He Lun coming, he immediately sent someone to report it, and soon He Lun was led in.

Zhao Mu, the chief secretary of the Zhenjun General's office, and Sima Dengyou were reporting to Concubine Pei on the successor king's studies.

"The heir apparent is still lacking in poetry and prose. The Concubine Dowager might as well send him out for some swimming to help him understand the true meaning of poetry and prose," said Zhao Mu.

Zhao Mu, a native of Ji County, was styled Jizi. He came to the capital when Sima Yue was stationed in Xuchang and was known for his "proper manners and appearance".

He was also the son-in-law of Wang Bi, a master of metaphysics, so he was highly regarded.

In short, Zhao Mu's appearance was very much in line with the aesthetic taste of scholars. He was also the son-in-law of Wang Bi, a master of metaphysics in the Three Kingdoms period, and had a "family background in learning". Therefore, he was hired by Sima Yue as a military officer, but his main task was to teach the crown prince Sima Pi - Sima Pi also had three other teachers, namely Deng You, Wang Cheng, and Ruan Zhan, and his educational resources were amazing.

"What's the real meaning?" asked Concubine Pei.

Zhao Mu listened, thought for a while, and said: "As a human being, one should understand one's inner heart, not be bound by conventional etiquette, and pursue comfort and freedom."

"Did you say anything?"

"In the past, Zhang Jiying (Zhang Han) of Wu County served as an official in the Eastern Division of the King of Qi. One day, he saw the autumn wind rising in Luoyang and suddenly missed the water shield soup and sea bass in his hometown. He said to others, 'Life is precious to be content. Why should I be an official thousands of miles away for fame and honor?' Then he resigned and returned home." Zhao Mu said, "This is the character and true meaning of a scholar. Only poems and fu written based on this can be passed down through the ages."

"When Prince Jiong of Qi was in power, he committed massacres and was unpopular, so that everyone felt insecure. Could it be that Zhang Jiying's words were an excuse to return home to avoid disaster?" Concubine Pei asked back.

Zhao Mu was speechless.

He Lun was laughing secretly not far away.

He had long felt that this group of scholars liked to complain without reason, and the concubine really touched his heart.

"Your Majesty's words are absurd," Deng You said. "People are bound by the secular world and need to worry about mundane affairs and even life and death, but true nature is indispensable. Even Zhang Zhuangwu (Zhang Hua) is fascinated by the singing of orioles and the swimming of fish. This is the way of nature, that is, to abandon all moral constraints and red tape, transcend the teachings of the world and let nature take its course. If the heir does not learn these things well, how can he deal with scholars?"

After hearing this, Concubine Pei said, "Bo Dao's words make sense. I am short-sighted. I will remind the heir king."

After saying that, he bowed.

Zhao Mu and Deng You returned the gift.

After talking about some more things about music teaching, the two looked at He Lun, said goodbye and left.

Concubine Pei's thoughts were still immersed in what she had just said.

Go beyond the teachings of the world and let nature take its course; do not be bound by worldly morality and etiquette…

As I thought about it, I suddenly felt some impulse in my heart.

However, she was a rational woman and quickly suppressed this extravagant hope. After asking He Lun to sit down, she sent servants to invite four military officers from the shogunate: Zou Jie, Liu Wei, Guan Junyi, and Li Xing.

After everyone arrived, He Lunfang said with a signal from Concubine Pei: "I came back from Wenshijin and built a rough camp. After seeing it, Lord Chen thought that the camp was too weak and we needed to build a military city. We have the manpower to build the city, but we lack money and food, so I ask the shogunate to allocate funds."

"Is Mr. Chen also in Wenshijin?" Concubine Pei asked.

"Mr. Chen personally led the elite cavalry to surround and kill the Xiongnu bandits at Bai Ma, and pursued them to Wenshijin before returning." Speaking of this, He Lun's face showed admiration, and he described it vividly: "Mr. Chen personally charged into the battle, stabbing two people with his spear, and frightened the Xiongnu. The morale of the soldiers was greatly boosted, and they slaughtered more than a hundred remaining Xiongnu soldiers. How magnificent! At that time, Mr. Chen jumped on his horse over the river, just like a god descending from heaven, his courage was unstoppable."

Before the others reacted, Concubine Pei's hands, which were under the table, had already clenched quietly.

I told him not to take risks, but he wouldn't listen.

What’s the point of showing off all this?
Does a military-political group that requires its commander to personally lead the charge have a future?

"General He..." Concubine Pei interrupted He Lun and said, "Regarding the construction of the city, listen to Lord Chen. But the shogunate has no money or food, so be patient and wait until the autumn harvest before starting the construction."

"Yes." He Lun agreed straightforwardly. He felt that he had found his comfort zone again.

He was still working for the King of the East Sea, surrounded by familiar people, and doing what he was good at.

The people of Donghai still have a piece of land and their power remains.

Especially since all the 1,000 East China Sea soldiers from the Situ Guard were transferred to his account, and hearing his hometown accent every day was so familiar to him.

After experiencing turbulent years, He Lun is very content to have such days.

He now has a strong urge to protect this collective. No one can stop him. I will fight you.

As for the matter of money and grain, he also understood.

The shogunate was truly penniless. If it hadn't been for some financial aid from the Jiang, Cai, Ruan, and Bian families, it would probably not have been able to pay out even the salaries.

Fortunately, the land has been cleared. Although it is barren now, there will always be a harvest in the future. We just need to get through this period.

After the autumn harvest, the money and grain should be a little more abundant. Then we can ask the governor Yang Mao for money, and the Wenshi military city will be built.

"How many Hun cavalry are there? We haven't seen them in Kaocheng for a long time." Concubine Pei asked again.

There are several thousand Silver Spears stationed nearby, which Xiongnu would be so full and come here? He Lun sneered in his heart and said, "Reply to the Concubine, there have been bandit cavalry in Juancheng, Fanxian, and Dong'e. All counties should close the city gates and wait for the Xiongnu to retreat."

Concubine Pei nodded silently.

She understood the man, he must be suffering a lot. She didn't want to say anything to persuade him.

She is a woman and cannot fight in the battlefield. She just needs to serve the men.

Men are sometimes childish and need to be coaxed until they can't remember other women...

"The situation should be better than before, right?" she asked casually.

"It's much better now." He Lun said, "The key lies in people's hearts. After the death of Situ, there was no leader and morale was low. Often when the enemy army didn't come, they would scare themselves. Every day, people shouted to disband. How can we fight? Now the heir is in Kaocheng, the queen mother is in control of the overall situation, and the shogunate's elite officials are all here, so everyone is like an arm, and no one will easily flee or surrender the city."

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. He." Concubine Pei said softly.

He Lun, Liu Qia, Man Heng and Tang Jian each led 5,000 people and were stationed along the river, farming and defending. This was the decision made by Shao Xun, who issued orders through her.

Among them, He Lun was stationed at Wenshijin, which was in the territory of Dongyan County, Puyang State. On the opposite bank was Fangtou built by Cao Cao, located in Chaoge County, Ji County, occupied by Shi Le, and an important ferry crossing between the north and south of the river.

Liu Qia was stationed in the ancient city of Luming.

There is Baima Mountain near Baima County in Puyang, and the ancient city of Luming to the west. There is a ferry on the river, called Baima Ferry.

Luming City was Luyi of Wei during the Warring States Period. The Yellow River turned here and flowed to the northeast. The water flow slowed down slightly, making it easier to cross the river.

Since the Warring States Period, Luming City has been an important ferry crossing - the city site is still there today, and it has obviously been repaired throughout the ages. It even existed until the Southern and Northern Dynasties. Wang Xuanmo fled to this city during the Yuanjia Northern Expedition.

On the other side of Baimazin is Liyang County of Wei County. There is also a ferry there, called Liyangzin, which is the same as Baimazin, except that one is on the north bank and the other is on the south bank.

To the east of Baima is Puyang County. To the north of the county, on the bank of the Yellow River, is Puyang Ferry, which has been an important ferry since ancient times.

On the other side of Puyangjin is Dongqiu County.

Man Heng led 5,000 troops to station at Puyangjin, and they were rushing to plant grains on the fields destroyed by the Xiongnu.

To the east of Puyang is Juancheng County, the seat of Yanzhou. More than 20 miles north of the county there is a ferry called "Lingjin".

Tang Jian's 5,000 troops are currently stationed in Linqiu and will move to Lingjin in the future.

Judging from the map, these 20,000 infantrymen were defending the ferry crossing in the Puyang section of the river.

There are actually unknown small crossings between the four major crossings. Blocking these four crossings cannot completely prevent the enemy from crossing the river. It can only be said that occupying the most convenient place for crossing the river is a way to prevent them.

It can be said that Puyang to the east has been strategically abandoned for the time being. It can only be entrusted to the aristocratic families of the three counties of Dongping, Jibei and Taishan, letting them figure out a solution themselves.

"The autumn harvest will come in two months, and the Xiongnu may march south in large numbers." After discussing the city repairs, Concubine Pei said, "You are all talented people, please do your best."

"Yes, sir." Everyone responded one after another.

Concubine Pei smiled charmingly and said, "In ancient times, people looked for talents through dreams and divination. I think it would be better to choose talents through words and deeds. My husband appointed you and gave you the power to rule the country. You stepped on the ladder and set an example for others. I will follow your advice. Today, political affairs are complicated and wars are frequent. You should work hard. Life and death are determined by fate, and wealth and honor are guaranteed. It all depends on your words and deeds. Warning and encouragement."

Everyone was startled and responded in unison.

After Concubine Pei finished speaking, she waved her hand and asked everyone to disperse.

The courtyard suddenly became quiet.

Concubine Pei stood there alone, looking mature, beautiful, majestic and dignified, making people dare not look at her for too long.

He Lun sighed secretly and thought that the successor king should not take charge of the government. Compared with the queen dowager, he is really worth discarding.

(End of this chapter)