In the Han Palace, early in the morning, Liu Chengyou, who woke up with a hangover, took care of it a little, and the first thing he did was to visit the noble concubine and the second princess born in Fang. When Fang left the palace, he got a report that He Fujin had already entered the palace to wait for him.

When he returned to the Chongzheng Palace, he found that the old man was standing respectfully outside the hall, his strength was weak, and it was almost difficult to support his old and thin body. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou hurriedly excused him from saluting, and instructed Zhang Dejun: "Quickly, help He Gong into the palace!" ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Entering the hall and sitting down, looking at the old and unbearable He Fujin, after a night banquet, the sickness on his face seemed to be aggravated, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh: "It's my negligence, He Gong is so sick and weak, when you come to visit!" ”

He Fujin responded humbly: "Your Majesty cares so much, the old minister is already grateful!" ”

Seeing that he was seriously ill and struggling to support him, Liu Chengyou was not verbose, and spoke quickly and said: "I summoned He Gong to come to consult him about the adjustment of the northern garrison. He Gong has been in charge of the army in the north for many years, and he can be described as a dry city, familiar with the military situation, and he is also expected to give advice. ”

"I don't know Your Majesty, how do you plan to adjust?" He Fu Jinchen asked in a faint voice.

Liu Chengyou recounted in a calm tone and said, "Don't hide it from He Gong." In recent years, the Privy Council has reorganized and eliminated the world's armed forces, and implemented a rotational system, which is now on the right track. Only the Northern Army, I didn't make a big move, there was no other, but the world was not peaceful, and the Northern Captives were still stealing and occupying the mountains and rivers of Dahan.

If the armies in the north are rotated, the generals will be alienated, and it will be difficult to ensure combat effectiveness. He Gongdu is in the north, and I should also know that the Hebei border army, I am of great use, not just to build that line of defense that is not impregnable......"

Listening to Liu Chengyou's words, He Fujin's somewhat cloudy eyes showed a touch of abruptness, thought about it, and said to him calmly: "Your Majesty used to entrust the old ministers, with full authority to act in military affairs and defense, and have the right to mobilize border defense and act cheaply. Now that the Han Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty have been in peace for more than three years, there are few things on the border, and the power in the hands of the ministers should also be returned to the imperial court......"

"Nope! He Gong misunderstood, I didn't mean that! I have always used people without suspicion, and if I didn't believe in any justice, I wouldn't have given authority in the first place! Liu Chengyou waved his hand again and again.

"Your Majesty, the minister is too old and is about to die. I hope you will forgive me for some heartfelt words! He Fujin's expression was calm, and he said: "The ministers of the Tang Dynasty, the Jin Dynasty, and the Han Dynasty are tired of the military, and the people who are worried about the court are just the weight of the martial arts, and the arrogance of the soldiers will be a disaster." Looking at the rise and fall of the three generations, it is indeed deeply affected.

However, today's Han Dynasty, far away from the Liang, Tang, and Jin dynasties, with the strength of the center, is far from a corner of the land and the strength of an army can be opposed. Moreover, at present, the Northern Army, all the grain, grass, and ordnance are in the hands of the imperial court, and the war knife is sharp, but the handle is in the hands of His Majesty.

And Your Majesty, if you want to achieve a great cause, one day, you will wave your troops to the Northern Expedition, and you will need soldiers to serve and fight. And the soldiers, too, have received a lot of His Majesty's grace, and with His Majesty's power today, there is no need to tie up his hands and feet with small worries......"

Listening to He Fujin's statement, Liu Chengyou slowly put a light smile on the corner of his mouth, looked at He Fujin, and said, "These words have been held in my heart for a long time." I just don't know, is it what the prince means, or is the lieutenant general and colonel in the army all thinking about it? ”

He Fujin: "It's just an old minister, it's just a foolish opinion!" ”

Seeing that the emperor fell into thought, He Fujin said again: "If Your Majesty wants to reorganize the Northern Army, you can adjust the generals and commanders to lead the army. However, the soldiers and horses of all roads are all elites who have been trained for many years, and they are well-trained......"

"How will the general adjust?" Liu Chengyou interrupted him.

He Fujin coughed a few times and responded: "The old minister is sick, Your Majesty has already seen it with his own eyes, and he is just going to die, and he is already embarrassed." I beg your Majesty, and the other commander, to take the northern soldiers! ”

Looking at He Fujin, Liu Chengyou suddenly realized, no wonder Today, He Fujin is so bold, he doesn't shy away from it, and he does his best to say it. It was indeed early that I considered retreating. In fact, Liu Chengyou summoned him back to Beijing, but he may not have this idea. Not to mention anything else, it is not suitable to be the commander of the Northern Army because of his illness.

Liu Chengyou didn't answer for a while, as if he was thinking about it. And He Fujin, after showing a hint of hesitation on his face, added: "Among the envoys of the Hebei army, Ma Quanyi and Luo Yanbi are both talented generals, who are good at commanding the troops and have won the hearts of the soldiers. Only Li Yun of the Baoding Army, please transfer him away! ”

"Oh?" Liu Chengyou raised his eyebrows and said to him meaningfully: "I heard that He Gong and Li Yun have never been on good terms!" ”

He Fujin's expression became more serious, and he faced the emperor's scrutiny, and responded: "Admittedly! But the minister has this advice, not for personal grudges. Li Yun was arrogant and self-conscious, and he was never satisfied with the position of an army envoy. However, from the perspective of the ministers, this person may have merit in training troops, but he cannot convince others, and he is rough and brave, but he has no handsome talent. If it is placed in the north for a long time, with its temperament and ambition, sooner or later there will be trouble, which will not be conducive to the morale of the army, and even affect His Majesty's plans! ”

"He Gongxin, I know!" Gently exhaling, Liu Chengyou waved his hand at He Fujin: "Gongzhijin, I still need to think about it, step back first, and recuperate well!" ”

"Yes! Retire! ”

"Zhang Dejun, you sent my imperial chariot to send He Gong out of the palace!" With a flash in his eyes, Liu Chengyou commanded, and it was the lord of benevolence who treated the generals again.

"How dare you! Please take back your order! He Fujin was shocked and hurriedly refused.

"He Gong has worked tirelessly and traveled thousands of miles to Beijing to meet you, I will send you this short trip to show my heart, and there is no need to refuse!" Liu Chengyou said magnificently, with a smile on his face.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Taking a deep breath, He Fujin bowed down, and was inevitably moved.

"Zhang Dejun, you help He Gong out!"

"Yes!"

After He Fujin retreated, Liu Chengyou fell into deep thought, and He Fujin's words made him a little vigilant. Over the years, the forbidden army has gone through many rounds of rectification and has basically been firmly in control.

On the contrary, it was the local army, and several large-scale trainings, what the specific effect was, and what the military situation was, made him suspicious at this time. In particular, there are two border armies, one in Hebei and one in the southwest. In the southwest, there is no need to worry for the time being, and the center of gravity of the imperial court is imminent.

And the northern front, more than six years, nearly 50,000 soldiers and horses, the weight is too heavy. Liu Chengyou was reluctant to move lightly, but in order to calm his heart, he had to move. The idea of the northern tour took root in Liu Chengyou's mind again.

......

In the spring of March, the wind and the sun are beautiful, outside the city of Kaifeng, the grass grows and the warbler flies, between the wilderness, in the depths of the dense forest, there are many more tourists who go out to enjoy the scenery.

In the past few days, Liu Chengyou has taken the generals from Hebei who have entered Beijing to go out hunting, drinking and feasting, and contacting feelings.

On the way back from hunting, he got an urgent report: "Your Majesty, He Dushuai has died of illness!" ”

"What!" Liu Chengyou's face froze, and his brows were twisted together: "Didn't the imperial doctor say that in the past two days, there has been some relief?" ”

This newspaper, the northern generals on the side, all heard it, their expressions were different, all of them showed their expressions, only Li Yun, his eyes were shining, and he almost couldn't hold back his smile.

Liu Chengyou only glanced around, didn't care much, and set off: "Go back to the city!" ”

"Is there a problem with He Fujin's death?" After returning to the palace, Liu Chengyou directly summoned Li Chongju and asked solemnly.

"Back to Your Majesty! It is indeed a death from illness! Li Chongju replied.

"What did the imperial doctor say!" Liu Chengyou asked.

"He Dushuai has been fighting horses all his life, and he has a lot of dark wounds on his body, and he has been fighting for many years, and he has become ill from hard work, and he has been terminally ill early. This time he returned to Beijing, and he was tired all the way, which made his condition even worse. Last night, he suddenly had a high fever and passed away. Li Chongju said.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but close his eyes, showing a look of remorse: "Isn't that still harming He Gong!" ”

"Your Majesty, He Gong's illness is no longer curable. The imperial doctor also said that even if you take good care of yourself, you will only be able to prolong your life, and you will not survive this year, Your Majesty does not need to blame yourself! Li Chongju explained.

He Fujin's death was sudden, and it had nothing to do with Liu Chengyou, and there was no need for him to target such a critically ill veteran. However, his sudden illness and death still caught Liu Chengyou a little off guard.

Crucially, he died at an inopportune time......

The northern general entered Beijing to celebrate his birthday, and within a few days, the commander of the army died, and even if he died of illness, it was inevitable that people would be suspicious and speculated. In particular, under the circumstance that Liu Chengyou will enter Beijing and defend all of them, he will be dismissed.

Just looking at the reactions of those military envoys, we can know what kind of impact He Fujin's death will have.

Sighing heavily, Liu Chengyou quickly collected his thoughts and ordered: "Pass the edict, drop out of the dynasty for three days, and let the civil and military officials go to pay condolences to He Gong!" ”

At this point, Liu Chengyou can only try his best to minimize his impact. For Liu Chengyou, a more urgent question is in front of him, He Fujin dies, who will succeed?