In October of the ninth year of Yuan You, Murong Fu and Zhang Qi discussed various matters related to returning to Beijing to report the victory, and decided that Zhu Keshi, Chongshi Dao, and the two of them led the 3,000 meritorious soldiers of the Yan Army and the Zhenrong Army to return to Beijing together with Murong Fu and Zong Ze.

In mid-October, Murong Fu and his entourage took the heads of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor of the Xia Kingdom, and some of the captives' clans, Xia State ritual vessels, and fish scale atlases marched along Luoshui to the capital. Just because he returned to Beijing this time only to report his merits with great fanfare, the speed at which Murong Fu and the others were traveling was not fast. On the contrary, the official family was informed that they were about to return to Beijing and sent it to the capital as early as possible, so that the Ministry of Rites could arrange the etiquette process for the army to enter the city as soon as possible.

However, not long after everyone set off, Murong Fu said that he had a personal matter to do, and left the army with his alien guard, Taishan. It wasn't until more than a month later that the Seed Master Dao joined Murong Fu in Hezhong Mansion.

After getting the news of Murong Fu's return, Seed Master Dao hurriedly went to the back hall of the Hezhong Mansion to meet him. At that time, Murong Fufang bathed and changed clothes, although the journey was tiring, but he was still in good spirits. Noticing that Murong Fu was not carried back this time, the Seed Master Dao was obviously relieved, so he asked curiously: "Why is it more than a month since I left, what is it that is so anxious to do it?" ”

Murong Fu, who was sitting behind the desk and flipping through the correspondence, only looked up at the seed master Dao when he heard this, and said nothing with a smile.

But it was the Seed Master Dao who stared at Murong Fu for a while, and suddenly twitched his nose vigilantly. "There seems to be somewhere...... Wrong? He looked around, and finally returned his gaze to Murong Fu's face to take a closer look. You look...... Feeling better? What happened to be so proud? ”

"Good thing!" Murong Fu's face was refreshed. I saw him stretch out his thumb and wipe his lips heavily, like a lazy leopard enjoying a big meal after savoring, so proud and satisfied. "I have been wishing for many years, and I have no worries again! …… I should have done this, I wasted so many years! It's stupid! ”

Seed Master Dao naturally couldn't dream of what Murong Fu had done in the past month or so, so he only wrinkled his eyebrows and looked at him for a while, his face full of doubts.

And Murong Fu obviously didn't want to say more, but instead asked, "Is there any news from the court?" ”

Speaking of this, the seed master Dao was also very happy, and hurriedly said: "I just got the news, Zhang Dian rejected the third edict of the official family. "The court invited three times, Zhang Dian refused three times, according to the rules, there was no fourth time.

"Expected!" Murong Fu nodded and said coldly. "Now that the Shu Party has wiped out the Xia State, the only way for the New Party to turn over is to pacify the Khitan. Zhangdu? It's better to stay in the place and continue to host "Pucheng Wind and Rain"! ”

There is also news from Su Xiang, the Ministry of Rites decided to enter the city and go to Daqing Gate, the official family accepted the prisoners in the Taimiao, and the banquet was placed in the Shengping Building. As for the ...... of Lile"

"Stop! Stop! Although this time Zhao Xu and Murong Fu rarely had a tacit understanding that they did not want to hold a prisoner sacrifice ceremony, their opinions did not represent the opinions of the officials and the people. In fact, it is obviously unjustifiable for the Great Song Dynasty to destroy the Xia Kingdom without sacrificing prisoners. "So you still want to sacrifice prisoners?"

"Of course!" Seed Master Dao nodded briskly, "Although the Empress Dowager of Xia and the Emperor are dead, there are still many clans, and one hundred and eighty party captives are enough!" At that time, you will present the Xia State ritual vessel and the fish scale atlas to the official family in the Daqing Palace, what a glory? ”

Murong Fu also knew that this triumphant return and dedication to the Jietai Temple was the glory of the martial artist's life, so he didn't say more, but only resigned himself to his fate: "When is the day?" ”

"Zhengdan Dynasty!" The seed master is right. Every year, the envoys of the Zhengdan Dynasty will come to congratulate them, and offering prisoners at this time can also deter the ministers.

"What do you say about the reward?" Murong Fu asked again.

Speaking of this important matter, the Seed Master Dao sighed and shook his head slightly. In that year, Di Qing put down the rebellion of the barbarian Nong Zhigao in Guangyuan Prefecture, and Emperor Renzong promoted him to the rank of privy deputy envoy. Now that the Western Army has destroyed the Xia Kingdom, this credit is naturally far better than Di Qing. However, Zhao Xu was far more stingy than Emperor Renzong, and he was unwilling to accept Su Zhe's invitation to reward meritorious heroes.

"Got it. If that's the case, then make the momentum of returning to Beijing as loud as possible! Murong Fu nodded expressionlessly, obviously not paying attention to Zhao Xu's dying struggle. In just a few words, he already has a comprehensive publicity plan in mind.

In the following month, the 3,000 meritorious soldiers who accompanied Murong Fu enjoyed the same treatment as the people's soldiers who returned from the earthquake relief in later generations. But whenever they pass through a place, the local people will flock to cheer and cheer for them, and the flowing water banquets for celebration and toasting can be discharged from the gate of the city to the exit of the city, and the sachets and handkerchiefs thrown by the big girls and little daughters-in-law can literally bury the soldiers alive.

If this is just an appetizer, then a theatrical performance in Henan Province is an authentic Manchu and Han full feast. After many years, today's Jinle Fang is no longer a small pear orchard, but represents the top artistic level in the Great Song Dynasty. A theatrical performance covering various forms of performances such as songs, dances, operas, operas, and sketches not only opened the eyes of the soldiers, but also raised the enthusiasm of the people to support the army to the highest peak. After the performance, many military songs that were also popular in later generations began to be sung in the streets and alleys. At the same time, the number of civilians who spontaneously came to the camp to work reached a new high. Such enthusiasm and love are something that the soldiers of the Great Song Dynasty have never received, and such respect and admiration should have belonged to them.

Receiving this preferential treatment, even if he was as calm as he was broken, he couldn't help but burst into tears behind him, and couldn't help but look up at Murong Fu and sigh: "Defend the family, defend the country...... Even though the imperial court has never said anything, looking at them, Ben Jiang also feels that it is worth it! ”

When he said this, Murong Fu was stationed outside Henan Mansion with a large army. Their original plan was to stay in Henan Mansion for three days, and after the Henan Taishou prepared the last grain and grass for them, they set off for Bianjing. But when yesterday's theatrical performance ended, the army garrison was surrounded by an endless stream of laborers and civilians. The people sent a lot of food and money, begging the soldiers to accept it. However, the Yan Yan Army and the Zhenrong Army are both strictly disciplined, so they naturally dare not take the people's things at will. The two sides resisted, which attracted more onlookers, who praised the soldiers. The two pawns who were in charge of standing guard in front of the camp had obviously never experienced such a scene, and they dared to fight to the death in the face of fierce party members, but in the face of these enthusiastic people, they were so red and overwhelmed that they wanted to dig a hole in the ground. Zhi Keshi's eyesight is excellent, and he can't help but feel hot when he sees the situation at the gate from a few feet away, and he only feels that he is fighting for the country in this life, even if he dies on the battlefield every day, he has no regrets.

The army walked to Henan Mansion, and it was not far from Bianjing. However, there is no news of what kind of reward charter the imperial court has made for the great achievements of the Western Army this time. When all kinds of news are known to the world, the overall situation is usually decided. For example, the Western Army annihilated the Xia Kingdom this time, and the imperial court should give various rewards to the meritorious heroes. The ordinary people could only know the final reward decision of the imperial court at the prisoner sacrifice ceremony, but for Murong Fu, Zhi Keshi, Seed Master Dao and other parties, they should have known what kind of treatment they would receive before the prisoner sacrifice. To this day, there is no news from the imperial court, and it is obvious that the officials are still dissatisfied with the Western Army.

Hearing Zhi Keshi's words, Murong Fu hurriedly reassured: "I have received a notice from the Ministry of Rites to station outside Bianjing City and wait for the day of the Zhengdan Dynasty before entering the city. At present, there is still half a month before the Zhengdan Dynasty, and when we arrive in Bianjing, I will ask to meet with the official family in the book. ”

When he heard this, he only smiled bitterly and shook his head. "I also understand the intentions of the officials. This time, the Western Army's annihilation of the Xia Kingdom was not presided over by him, he decided that we had robbed him of his merits. As long as he survives the prisoner sacrifice ceremony, can we still force him to be rewarded afterwards? ”

I have to say that this time Zhao Xu's mind was too obvious, and even a pure military general like Zhi Keshi could see it. He is a king, others are ministers, the so-called kindness comes from the top, if he bites to death and refuses to give a reward, if he is too persecuted, he will ruin his reputation and loyalty. However, Zhao Xu's quick recklessness ruined a century-old foundation, how could it be that the people did it if he didn't reward him? In doing so, he simply forced his courtiers to deviate from him.

Zhao Xu can act willfully, but Murong Fu understands very well that if the soldiers can't be rewarded for their miraculous achievements, I'm afraid that their blood will be cold. Seeing that he was slightly discouraged, Murong Fu immediately said: "The editorial of the great victory published by the "Bianjing Times" has been reprinted ten times, and from tomorrow Jinle Fang will also launch a national tour, when the exploits of the Western Army in the Great Song Dynasty are known to everyone. No matter how confused the official family is, the ministers of the political hall will not be confused with him. ”

In the eyes of Zhi Keshi, the official family is certainly wonderful, but this Murong Fu is also not far behind. As a civil minister, Murong Fu not only did not guard against hostile generals, but he has been committed to improving the status of martial artists in the hearts of the people for a long time. Thinking of the songs sung by Jin Lefang during yesterday's performance, Zhi Keshi couldn't help asking: "Lord Murong, why aren't you afraid of our military generals group's high achievements?" "The fate of General Di back then, Zhi Keshi still remembers it vividly. The official family refuses to reward this time, will there be people in the political hall who have the same idea as the official family? - This, I don't dare to say it.

When Murong Fu heard this, he replied: "This official has always opposed civilian officials to prevent contempt for military generals. Confucius has clouds, and there are teachings without class. If it is said that the warriors do not know loyalty, then they should be taught loyalty; If it is said that the martial arts are chaotic in the dynasty, in the opinion of this official, those civil servants are no worse than the martial arts. Wenchen herdsmen and military generals are indispensable to defend the country. Looking at the root causes of the martial arts chaos in the past dynasties, most of them are not because the status of the warriors is too high, but on the contrary, forcing people to rebel! Now that the Western Army has annihilated the Xia Kingdom and made an indefatigable contribution, this official has also taken this opportunity to improve the status of the warrior. General Zhe, this is what you deserve, and you don't need to be flattered. ”

In the Song Dynasty, gentle, humble, and non-aggressive generals such as Di Qing and Zhi Keshi met the consistent aesthetic standards of the scholars, while the vigorous and resolute generals such as Ru Chong Ge were really unpopular. But in the army, there has to be a bit of blood. All in all, Murong Fu would rather these soldiers have their nostrils facing the sky and believe that Lao Tzu is the best in the world, rather than seeing them timid, and they will feel one level lower when they see officials.

Murong Fu didn't know that his words were even more unbearable, only to see Zhi Keshi turn his head and wipe his face indiscriminately, and suddenly the whole bundle of clothes was deeply towards Murong Fu. "Lord Murong, the future of our martial artists depends entirely on your lord!" After that, he didn't wait for Murong Fu's response, and hurriedly walked out with red eyes.

Five days later, the 3,000 meritorious soldiers of the Yan Army and the Zhenrong Army, who refused to take a stitch from the people, finally got rid of the enthusiasm of the people of Henan Province with difficulty and rushed to the outside of Bianjing City to wait for their orders.

In the following days, Murong Fu asked to see the official family almost every day, but there was no reply from the palace. Until three days before the prisoner sacrifice ceremony, the Ministry of Rites sent officials to instruct Murong Fu on the various procedures to be paid attention to during the prisoner sacrifice ceremony, and Zhai Manfang, who was also a member of the Shu Party and the same year as Murong Fu, found an opportunity to report to Murong Fu. "Since Jin Lefang went to Henan Mansion to express condolences to the labor army, the official family said that he was sick. Akashi, you're making too much trouble, aren't you doing it against the officials? ”

Murong Fu was looking through the copy of Su Zhe's performance of the Western Army at this time, and when he heard Zhai Man convey that the official family was sick, he only sneered and said casually: "Sick?" The prisoner may come forward on the day of the sacrifice? ”

Seeing that Murong Fu was so unenlightened, Zhai Man shook his head with hatred. "What a glory it is to sacrifice prisoners in the Taimiao? How could the officials not come forward? The official family is an excuse to be sick, and they have been holding the teacher's agreement that you will be rewarded and refusing to approve it! "Zhai Man was originally a clerk, and he was appreciated and trained by Su Zhe to embark on a career as an official. In the eighth year of Yuanfeng's imperial examination, Murong Fu was a tanhua, but Zhai Man was the champion. Soon after Zhai Man went to high school, he worshipped Su Zhe as his teacher, and he was not only the same year as Murong Fu, but also the same family, and his feelings were naturally extraordinary, so his speech was more direct.

Murong Fu was still indifferent, and only said strangely: "Uncle Shi wants to recommend me as a privy envoy?" "It turns out that the content of Su Zhe's recital is that Jin Murong Fu is the privy envoy, Zhang Ji is the Shaobao, and the seed and the fold are all the envoys of the festival, and the rest of the people have their own rewards.

"Back then, Di Wuxiang was promoted to the privy deputy envoy to quell the civil strife, and now you will naturally have a higher reward than General Di for recovering the lost territory." Seeing that Murong Fu was always calm, Zhai Man suddenly felt that this was the emperor who was not in a hurry, and the eunuch was in a hurry, so he said angrily at the moment, "But what's the use of this?" The official family doesn't approve it! ”

"Senior Brother Zhai, don't worry, he will approve it." Murong Fu seemed to be very satisfied with Su Zhe's recital, which was meaningful. "The official family is sick, that's good......"

Hearing this, Zhai Man couldn't help but look at Murong Fu with a little surprise. I saw that he was clearly smiling, but a cold chill in his eyes made Zhai Man shiver for no reason. Zhai Manden immediately kept silent, but he clearly realized in his heart: I am afraid that there will be a good show in the prisoner sacrifice ceremony in three days.