Chapter 964 Birth, Old Age, Sickness and Death

Chapter 964 Birth, Old Age, Sickness and Death

Chapter 964 Birth, Old Age, Sickness and Death

Shao Gui stayed in Dai for more than half a month, then discussed carefully with the guests, summarized his experiences in a written form, attached suggestions, and sent it to Luoyang like a performance report.

After the report arrived in Luoyang, it was quickly sent to Pingyang because Shao Xun was already there.

At the end of March, the atmosphere in the Prime Minister's Mansion in Pingyang was heavy.

Yu Wenjun took her fifteen-year-old Mu'er, eleven-year-old Liang Nu, and six-year-old Qu Ji to accompany their mother Guanqiu, while Shao Xun and the other sons of the Yu family accompanied Yu Chen, who was on his deathbed.

Pingyang County Magistrate Wu Qian also came.

He is even older than Yu Chen, over seventy, and illiterate. He used to be an eighth-rank pastor, but now he is a seventh-rank county magistrate. He suffers from his lack of education and cannot be promoted.

His eldest son had passed away, and he entrusted his eldest grandson Wu Li to Shao Xun many years ago. In fact, he had little education, but thanks to Wu Qian's constant encouragement, he was able to learn some literature.

He first served as the Palace Secretary Cao Lingshi and then as the county magistrate. Shao Xun was already preparing to promote him, as he was bound to be a prefect after the founding of the country.

These are all our own people and must be given important positions, even if they have little cultural background.

Yu Chen was lying on the bed, barely breathing. He had eaten something not long ago, and now he was asleep again.

He didn't have much time left, so everyone waited patiently.

Shao Xun came out of his bedroom and into the front yard, where officials from Pingyang prefecture and county levels all bowed to him.

There were even a bunch of people outside the yard who were not qualified to come in. They had been waiting since morning until now, and when they were hungry, they asked people to bring them food, and some even went hungry to endure it.

Every move of a big shot affects the hearts of many people.

Birth, aging, sickness and death are all politics.

This also indirectly shows that the current Shaw regime is indeed quite impressive and has the support of the people, although it has not yet officially founded the country.

"Yuan Gui." Shao Xun waved his hand and asked the Pingyang officials to go back to work, leaving only a few people to obey orders and assist the Yu family in handling the funeral affairs. Then he looked at Yu Liang and said, "Is everything ready at home?"

"Everything is ready." Yu Liang replied.

"What's the situation in Xuzhou?"

"Xia Pi, Pengcheng, and Donghai have been in the flames of war for a long time and are in great ruins, especially Xia Pi." Yu Liang said, "If we conquer Jiangdong in the future, we will have to make great efforts to manage the areas north and south of the Huai River."

Shao Xun hummed.

In the era of great division, people on both sides of the Huai River suffered.

The Southern and Northern Dynasties fought here, and even during the peaceful years, the city could not withstand the devastation that followed the war. In the end, the city was in ruins and uninhabited.

To develop such disaster-stricken areas, it is not enough to rely on the remaining local population, and immigration is also necessary.

"You have really made progress." Shao Xun said, "After you finish your work here, you can concentrate on studying at home. Over the years, you have been transferred to various positions and have gained experience in governing. It is a good opportunity for you to read the classics again and integrate them. If you have learned anything, you can write to me. If I have time, I will write back."

"Your Majesty..." Yu Liang was really touched.

This means that King Liang is always paying attention to him and always giving him opportunities, so his future will definitely be good.

"We are all family, why are you acting like children?" Shao Xun sighed, "The five sons of the Yu family are all employed, don't let your imagination run wild."

After that, he waved his hand and said, "Go and do what you need to do."

Yu Liang bowed and took his leave.

Shao Xun closed his eyes and dozed off in the spring sunshine, still thinking about the letter he had just received.

Liangzi's cousin Yu Mie could no longer stay in Liangzhou, so he returned via Jincheng and Longxi.

According to the letter, Zhang Jun sent two envoys to accompany him to Luoyang.

One of them was named Fan Huī (fán huī), and he was the left chief secretary of Zhang Shi. He was from Dunhuang.

One of his tribesmen was named Fan Zhong, who was collectively known as the "Five Dragons of Dunhuang" along with Zhang Wei, Suo Jing, Suo Xian and Suo Yong.

After Zhang Shi was assassinated, Zhang Mao succeeded to the throne. Fan Xi's status was greatly reduced and he lost his position as Chief Clerk, but he was still able to provide advice and support to Zhang Mao.

After Zhang Jun succeeded to the throne, he was appointed Chief Secretary again.

The second one is Wei Jin, a veteran of four dynasties, Zhang Gui, Zhang Shi, Zhang Mao and Zhang Jun. He was originally an assistant of the Bandits Cao, and in the later period of Zhang Mao's reign he served as a clerk of the Bandits Cao. Now he is a military officer of the Bandits Cao - his job content has not changed much, but his rank has been promoted.

Wei Jin was from Gaochang, and was of the same clan as the Wei clan of Tianshui, but somehow he ended up being registered in Gaochang.

In addition to the two, he also sent his subordinate supervisor Beigong Chun to lead 500 cavalry to escort him to Luoyang, carrying famous horses, gold artifacts, and treasures from the Western Regions.

There is no doubt that the Liangzhou delegation must have its own response plan and would respond differently based on the court's attitude towards them.

But it can also be seen that although Liangzhou is unwilling to surrender, it is also unwilling to fight.

Especially since the people who unified the north were not Xiongnu or Jiehu, there was no need to fight them head-on. They also sent Beigong Chun, an old general who had met Shao Xun several times, and his attitude was evident.

Zhang Jun is still naive!
Shao Xun opened his eyes and looked at the swaying shadows of the trees in the yard.

Politics is a matter of invisible killing and is as bloody as military conflict.

He thinks that he does not have enough strength, and he is hesitant, trying to see if he can come up with something through negotiation. He would rather avoid fighting than fight. He hopes that others will find it troublesome and unwilling to send troops on a long expedition, so they will just let him go and let him continue to be a vassal in name only, but in reality he is a separatist.

With this kind of mentality of worrying about gains and losses, I will definitely control you. "Your Majesty, my father... has woken up." Yu Liang walked over and said with a sad face.

Upon hearing this, Shao Xun immediately got up and went into the room, coming to Yu Chen's bedside.

******
"I'm afraid this is the last time I will see the king." Yu Chen was in unexpectedly good spirits, as if he had burned out the last bit of energy in his life.

"I came here to see my father-in-law for the last time, so as to make up for your hard work over the years." Shao Xun sat down, tucked the corner of the quilt for Yu Chen, and said.

"Grandpa!" Yu Wenjun stumbled in, bursting into tears.

Behind her, Yu Bing and Yu Yi supported Guanqiu, while Yu Tiao and Yu Yi followed silently.

Shao Xun stood up, bowed to Guanqiu, then pulled Yu Wenjun over, asked her to sit beside him, and gently stroked her hand to comfort her.

"Why are you so sad?" Yu Chen was carefree and managed a smile, saying, "Everyone has to face this day. My family is here with me on the day of my departure, so what regrets do I have?"

After he finished speaking, his eyes fell on Yu Wenjun and he said, "My daughter has been smart since she was young, how can you not see things clearly?"

"Grandpa..." Yu Wenjun burst into tears.

"My daughter is blessed." Yu Chen said with a smile, "She met my husband when she was young. Is this her fate? She will soon become the queen. Who wouldn't envy her for such a blessing?"

Yu Wenjun felt even more sad, and Shao Xun gently embraced her and let her lean on his shoulder.

Yu Chen took a breath and continued, "When I was young, I was well-read and had the ambition to help the country. However, I encountered setbacks in my middle age and was up and down. It was a stroke of luck that I was appointed as the Imperial Censor. When the previous emperor was in chaos, he was discouraged and thought about crossing the river to the south, but he never did."

Shao Xun couldn't help but recall the old events from more than 20 years ago.

The fact that Yu Chen did not choose to cross the river to the south and eventually became the prefect of Ji County had a lot to do with him.

He changed Yu Chen's fate and also changed the fate of everyone in the Yu family.

Whether it is good or bad, only time can tell.

"Luckily I met my son-in-law, and I was able to fulfill my youthful ambition in my old age. It was difficult and hard to describe. I just had some clues, but I died young. This is also fate." After Yu Chen finished speaking, he looked at Shao Xun, smiled peacefully, and said, "I can no longer serve the king in government affairs."

"How can I forget the kindness of my father-in-law?" Shao Xun said, "If it weren't for my father-in-law, how could I have fought all year round and wiped out the disobedience? I'm afraid that trouble will arise from within, and all kinds of things will tie me up in Henan and I can't move."

This is the truth. It is really lucky to have someone who can help you manage government affairs and stabilize the rear.

Otherwise, he could only send his generals to fight in the war, but could not lead the army himself.

Over time, this will cause problems.

Shi Le in history is a good example. In the later period, he rarely led troops in person. Except for the decisive battle with Liu Yao in Luoyang, it was basically Shi Hu who fought. The final consequences can be seen.

This is an era of chaos and the collapse of social order. When it comes to military affairs, one cannot be too careful.

Hearing Shao Xun's words, Yu Chen felt relieved. His efforts were recognized by others. Perhaps, his mark would also be left in history books?

"Yuan Gui." Yu Chen looked at his eldest son again.

"Grandpa, I'm here." Yu Liang stepped forward and responded softly.

"You are too impetuous." After talking for so long, Yu Chen's voice was a little tired, and it seemed that the last of his life was about to burn out, but he insisted: "You think highly of yourself, but sometimes you look down on yourself. You obviously like to read Confucian books, but you are afraid of being laughed at, so you always talk about metaphysics with others."

Yu Liang lowered his head and said nothing.

"When you are worried about gain and loss, other people's unintentional actions can make you anxious." Yu Chen sighed softly and said, "You are not necessarily better than others, nor are you necessarily worse than others. Why are you in such a hurry? It took a long time for your father to understand this truth. You should think about it carefully and don't ruin the big things."

"Yes." Yu Liang lowered his head and responded.

"Your Majesty..." Yu Chen looked at Shao Xun again, the light in his eyes dimming, and he said, "Yuan Gui has a mediocre personality, and is eager for success and is impatient. You can do whatever you want. If he can be used, use him. If not, let him go back to the old house in Yingchuan."

"Don't worry, old man." Shao Xun said, "Yuan Gui and I met when we were both in humble positions. This kind of friendship is extraordinary. I will need Yuan Gui's help in the future."

"Your Majesty, you know your limits. I'm not worried, I'm not worried..." Yu Chen's eyes had begun to blur, but he continued, "No matter how high or low a person's status is, it has no beginning or end. One's family and property cannot be relied on for long. After a thousand years, only the setting sun in the west and the flowing water in the east will remain. I can't control it anymore, I can't control it anymore... I'm lucky to see the world being saved before I die."

Yu Chen fell asleep again.

This time, maybe I won't wake up again.

He was happy. Before he left, his whole family was together, accompanying him and sending him off for the last time.

Shao Xun was a little envious.

Because the day he leaves may not be like this.

Yu Wenjun buried her face in his arms and cried silently.

Shao Xun patted her back gently, urging her to cherish the person in front of her, to do what she could, and not to let down the people of the world.

When that day really comes, we will act accordingly.

That night, Prime Minister Yu Chen died in his sleep.

Shao Xun sent away another old man.

(End of this chapter)