Chapter 4: The Thief (Part 2)

I have always heard that Li Yuan treats his courtiers leniently, but Cheng Mingzhen does not know how generous he is. Now that I have watched the performance of the samurai, I finally have an intuitive impression in my heart. With the eyesight he had cultivated over the years, he was sure that the casual nature of the samurai just now was not pretended. Rather, it is a habit that has been cultivated over a long period of time and relaxed, and this habit cannot come from any other source than on the basis of mutual trust between kings and ministers.

This is much calmer than when Cheng Mingzhen himself was under Dou Jiande. Thinking of the past when he was walking on thin ice with Dou Jiande, but in the end he still turned against the other party, he couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly. At that time, he had been repeatedly plotted, and he no longer knew what trust was. And Dou Jiande, who is also rolling day after day in the conspiracy, may have long forgotten what it is like to be honest with each other. They were like two vigilant hedgehogs, smiling and approaching each other, trying to pretend to be very kind, but in the end, the invisible spikes still pierced each other's bodies, and blood was dripping.

This is the Green Forest.

It can be said that in the process of overthrowing the tyranny of the Great Sui, the heroes of the North and South Green Forest Road have made great contributions. But the heroes of the rivers and lakes in the north and south of the green forest road can't establish an order like Li Tang no matter what. Li Mi can't, and neither can Dou Jiande. They all have the courage and strength to smash tyranny. But none of them knew what the new order would look like.

Therefore, Yin Qiu and they were destined to despair. As Cheng Mingzhen, who witnessed the entire process of destruction and destruction, he was destined to be confused for a long time, and his heart was full of shame and guilt.

Thinking of Yin Qiu's question that day, Cheng Mingzhen sighed softly again. There is still a difference between Li Tang and Yang Sui, although it doesn't seem so obvious on the surface. At least, through what he saw and heard today, he clearly felt the simplicity and vitality of Datang. When he had just become a soldier in Guantao County, someone sent money to his home. And although he hated corrupt officials and corrupt officials, he was content to put them away. Now, the leader of the eunuchs around Li Yuan's cronies will actually return the gold ingots stuffed into his sleeves, and clearly tell him that the rules of the imperial court are strict and he does not dare to take the lead in violating them.

This is the difference, in a country where corruption is rampant, any decree that reaches the people can be changed by the hands of the officials. In the end, the people's grievances grew deeper and deeper, and the people completely lost trust in the imperial court. If you want to redeem it, it is difficult to climb to the sky. And in a relatively clean and healthy country, even if there are some temporary difficulties, the people will definitely work together when they see that their parents and officials are sharing weal and woe with them. As long as we work together, no crisis will be too difficult to overcome.

Thinking about his thoughts in a mess, before I knew it, it was getting dark outside. The eunuch surnamed Zheng brought dinner to the imperial room and arranged for Li Yuan's ministers to eat. After a while, he was ordered to bring one to Cheng Mingzhen's side, ordered someone to put it on the table, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty asked you to eat some first." I reckon I'll be able to summon you as soon as I've had dinner. ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Dare to ask Gonggong Zheng, can things in the north be troublesome? After an afternoon of close observation, Cheng Mingzhen was not as worried as before, first bowed in the direction of the imperial room, and then asked with a smile.

"It stands to reason that our family shouldn't talk too much!" The eunuch surnamed Zheng looked out, then lowered his voice and said, "Actually, since you know that you are in the north, it is natural that those bastards of the Ashina family have started to make trouble again." I have to go in and serve Your Majesty, Dongping Gong use it slowly! ”

"Oh!" Cheng Mingzhen frowned, got up and sent the kind-hearted eunuch surnamed Zheng away. The other party refused to say too much, but just a few words so far, he had already guessed a thing or two. Ashina is the surname of the Turkic royal family, which was defeated by the Great Sui and divided into two parts, the east and the west. The Western Turks fled to the Shule Desert, and the Eastern Turks asked to be vassals and become vassals of the Great Sui. However, with the collapse of the Great Sui Dynasty, the Eastern and Western Turks saw the opportunity again and frequently tried to spy on the Central Plains.

When Taiyuan raised troops a few years ago, Li Yuan had to pay tribute to the Ashina family of the Eastern Turks in order to stabilize the back road. However, this wishful thinking has not had any effect. As soon as Li Yuan captured Chang'an, the Ashina family gathered nearly 400,000 soldiers and horses from all parts of the grassland to kill at the foot of the Great Wall. At that time, the whole north was shaken, and the general Li Zhongjian took the opportunity to make a decision, gave up hatred, joined forces with Luo Yi and Li Yuan to resist the enemy, and passed on the message to all the separatist forces, calling on everyone to temporarily stop attacking and killing each other, and jointly resist foreign humiliation, so as to avoid the recurrence of the tragedy of Wuhu Chaohua.

After receiving the message, heroes from all walks of life helped in order to occupy the righteous name and avoid being treated as a "two-legged sheep" by the Turks. On the front line of the Great Wall, a coalition army was formed to inflict heavy damage on the Ashina family. forced the Hus outside the Saiwai to withdraw from the Great Wall.

After exiting the Great Wall, the Eastern Turks learned from the pain. actually learned from the Central Plains, gave up his previous prejudices, and hooked up with the Western Turks again. After all, the leaders of both sides are surnamed Ashina, and they both covet the Central Plains. Soon, the Western Turks began to advance eastward, and they were fully committed to providing support to the Eastern Turks.

And some local forces in the Central Plains, in order to fight against the increasingly powerful Tang Empire, also made overtures to the Turks and tried to lure them as foreign aid. The collusion between the two sides inside and outside made Li Yuanjun and his ministers overwhelmed. Last year's Liu Wuzhou, after the defeat, fled to the banner of Ashina Mohedu, ready to make a comeback at any time. This year, Datang's main focus is on the Luoyang battlefield, the north is relatively empty, and it is estimated that the Khans of the Eastern and Western Turks can't sit still, and are ready to take the opportunity to bite Datang.

When Wang Fubao returned from the Great Wall, he lost interest in the battle between the princes for hegemony. He told Cheng Mingzhen in private that that is where men should go, in the Central Plains, killing people like him is not interesting. Cheng Mingzhen seemed to understand at the time, but now he understands a little bit. Shi Zan died tragically, Yin Qiu was killed, and he was full of guilt for this. I am also very tired of war. But if you take the initiative to ask Ying to kill those Turks who are trying to spy on the Central Plains, it must be a different taste.

A hot sensation welled up from his numb heart, causing his blood to boil slowly. He hoped that tonight he would have the opportunity to talk to Li Yuan about his thoughts, even if it was to transport grain and grass for the army of Saishang, it was better than wielding a knife like his former companions. Just as he was thinking wildly, Gonggong Zheng's unique voice came from outside the door again, "Dongping Gonggong is ready to finish dinner." Your Majesty is waiting for you in the room! ”

"It's used up, it's used up, please lead the way in front of your father-in-law!" Cheng Mingzhen quickly wiped his mouth clean and walked out with a smile. The eunuch surnamed Zheng carried a lantern, followed by four little eunuchs, and slowly led him towards the room. As he walked, he said with a smile: "Dongping Gong is careful of his steps, this road is paved with stones, it has been a long time, and it is very slippery in some places!" ”

"Thank you father-in-law for reminding me. Don't worry, I'll follow in your footsteps! Cheng Mingzhen knew that the other party was being polite to him, and thanked him with a smile.

He is easy-going and very polite. The eunuch surnamed Zheng also felt very comfortable in his heart, and took the initiative to tell him some taboos about talking to the emperor. Cheng Ming thanked him and remembered them all in his heart. The two sides chatted and chatted, and they arrived at the door of the imperial house. The eunuch surnamed Zheng went in first and replied to Li Yuan, then stood at the door, opened his throat and shouted: "Your Majesty has a decree, Xuan Dongping Gong Cheng Ming Zhen will see you!" ”

"Minister Cheng Mingzhen sees Your Majesty, and wishes Your Majesty good health." Cheng Mingzhen agreed loudly, walked into the room quickly, and bowed to Li Yuan.

"Get up, this is not a hall, there is no need to be so formal!" Li Yuan smiled and made a gesture of flattening slightly, "Come on, move a seat for General Xiao Cheng and let him sit and talk!" ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Cheng Ming got up, gave Li Yuan another concession, and then sat on half of his ass next to the embroidery pier that the eunuchs had moved.

"Sit tight, you are a military general, don't learn from those civil officials, make so many false courtesies!" Li Yuan glared at him and ordered loudly.

"Minister, minister obeys!" Cheng Ming shook his head, sneered and sat upright.

"Raise your head and let me take a closer look at what you look like?" Li Yuan smiled and continued to order. A few days ago, he gave a banquet to the generals, and he once glanced at Cheng Mingzhen from a distance, but there were many people at that time, so he didn't look carefully. I just feel that the young man doesn't look like a hero in the green forest, but more like a handsome boy who reads poetry. Every gesture is full of anger. Looking at it under the lamp today, I found that in addition to the curly gas, Cheng Mingzhen also condensed this unique heroic force of young people, and couldn't help but praise it in his heart, "What a handsome skin!" No wonder Pei Lin admires him, how can he tolerate such a character in his recklessness! ”

It's strange to say, although Li Yuan looked up and down, Cheng Mingzhen didn't feel so uncomfortable. He also peeked at Li Yuan a few times, and found that the other party was very kind, and there was not much murderous energy on his body, but he was like an old man who was idle in the neighbor's house, and he was very good, and he was short of a fishing rod in his hand.

"I summoned you to the palace today mainly for two things, first, thank you for saving your life to King Qin. Second, there are some things to ask you about Hebei! After looking at Cheng Mingzhen, Li Yuan went straight to the point.

Hearing this, Cheng Mingzhen quickly stood up and explained, "The minister doesn't dare to take credit." At that time, it was General Wei Chi who fought to the death to capture the assassin's lance! ”

"Sit down and talk!" Li Yuan ordered with a smile, "Don't stand up." As I said, this is a room, there are not so many rules! ”

Seeing Cheng Mingzhen sit down under order, Li Yuan smiled and continued: "I just summoned Wei Chi Jingde yesterday, and he said that if you hadn't fired arrows one after another to stop him, he wouldn't have been so easy to catch up. So, the credit for the two of you is half, there is no need to shirk! Although I have three sons-in-law, no matter which one of them fails, my parents' hearts will not be good. So, I want to thank you in person. ”

Since Li Yuan said so, Cheng Mingzhen couldn't continue to refute. I had to arch my hand and thank the other party for the compliment. Li Yuan said a few more polite words, ordered someone to pour a cup of tea for Cheng Mingzhen, and he also took a few sips of the tea cup in front of him, moistened his throat, and then asked: "I heard that you were the first to settle the people in Tuntian in Hebei back then, trying to re-stabilize the place, is that so?" ”

"The minister doesn't dare to take credit!" Cheng Mingzhen hesitated for a moment and decided to tell the truth, "Chen is south of Juluze, and he is indeed the first person to try to Tuntian. Kechen later found out that King Boling had been doing similar things for nearly a year at that time. And the rules are also more standardized than the minister's side! ”

"He had the support of the imperial court at that time, of course it would be easier than you!" Li Yuan waved his hand to stop Cheng Mingzhen's modesty. "Don't talk about him, just talk about the eight counties in the south of Hebei. Under Dou Jiande, you were the first to Tuntian? ”

"That's true!" Cheng Mingzhen admitted. At that time, the minister was still serving under Zhang Jincheng. In order to ensure that the brothers did not go hungry, they remembered this ancient method! ”

"Later, the most prosperous and stable places under Dou Jiande's rule were the counties where you first started Tuntian, is that so?" Li Yuan nodded and continued to ask.

"Your Majesty is right. After the ministers were attached to Dou Jiande, they also tried to expand the scope of Tuntian. But each county has its own troubles, and the minister can't get involved too much! ”

"Dou Jiande is a little eye-catching. And he can only be regarded as the co-leader of the green forest, and he can't control so many people. Li Yuan smiled, considering Cheng Mingzhen's feelings, he did not belittle Dou Jiande too much, "Later, the place that was used as the capital was a county under your rule. Are you familiar with the local customs? ”

"It was familiar at the time, but it's hard to say now!" Cheng Mingzhen didn't dare to boast and responded in a low voice.

"Why?" Li Yuan frowned and asked with a smile.

"After Lord Dou took Lishui as the capital, he really put a lot of effort. The people have been in war for a long time and hope to live a stable life. So I'd rather accept the stronger Dou Wangye than fight back! ”

"Ungrateful!" Li Yuan smiled and scolded.

"It's not a good thing. The ministers' military rations and supplies were supplied by the people. Finding a way to live for them is just their job. They want to live a stable life, and they don't want to fight and kill, which is also human nature! Cheng Mingzhen grinned bitterly and explained in a low voice.

During the time when he was defeated by Dou Jiande and fled to Juluze, he also hated the people for being ungrateful. But when I think about it from the other party's point of view, I am relieved. Everyone wants to live a good life, and everyone has the qualifications to live a good life. Being defeated by Dou Jiande is his own business, and he has no right to ask the people what they must do and what not to do.

"I can't see that you are young, but you are very open-minded!" Li Yuan glanced at him again and commented with some surprise.

"The minister was once from the ordinary people, and he knew what they thought!" Cheng Mingzhen's angry face suddenly flashed in front of him, sighed, and responded in a low voice. "I felt uncomfortable at first, but when I thought about it from the other person's point of view, I let it go!"

"Think about it from the other side's point of view?" Li Yuan didn't expect to ask such an answer, his eyes lit up, and his gaze converged like electricity.

Long before entering the room, Cheng Mingzhen had already decided to start playing according to the facts. Therefore, he did not panic, sat up straight, and let Li Yuan see himself up and down clearly.

Seeing that the young man was not pretentious at all, Li Yuan finally believed that the other party was telling the truth, smiled, and commented in a low voice, "I didn't expect you to know the truth of changing positions, not bad, not bad." Pei Qing didn't recommend the wrong person. I came to ask you, since you were popular with the people back then, and once you were defeated, the people immediately took refuge in Dou Jiande. Now that I have defeated Dou Jiande, will the people of the eight counties soon forget the benefits of Dou Jiande and be my Tang people with peace of mind! ”

"It's hard to say!" Cheng Mingzhen thought about it and responded solemnly.

"Why?" When Li Yuan heard this, he was stunned again and blurted out.

"The people will compare!" Cheng Mingzhen solemnly explained, "Back then, after Dou Jiande captured Zhaozhou, he almost completely accepted the old rules of the ministers. Not only were the people not disturbed, but they also received a lot of unexpected benefits because of Dou Jiande's deliberate kindness. His Majesty sent people to take over the counties, and the ministers did not know what the specific decrees were, so they could not draw conclusions! ”

"It won't be harsher than it was back then!" Li Yuan smiled and said very confidently.

Then it will be easy for the people to settle down. But we can't help but guard against the fact that some generals are still interested in Great Xia, and we need to focus on appeasing them! According to the actual situation he had, Cheng Mingzhen reminded Li Yuan.

"And why?"

In an instant, the faces of Yin Qiu and the others flashed in front of Cheng Mingzhen's eyes. They would rather die as a follower of Dou Jiande, even though their death has no meaning. "After the Battle of Luoyang, the minister tried to persuade a few former colleagues to surrender. But it didn't work out! When he thought of this, his heart sank, and his voice became low.

"I've heard of it. You've done your best, but they don't know what to do! Li Yuan smiled and comforted in a low voice. It's not a bad thing that young people are affectionate and righteous. If he takes refuge in the new owner, he can't wait to cut his old friend with a thousand knives, and he doesn't dare to use this kind of person with confidence.

"The minister did his best. But they won't change their minds, but not because they're stubborn. Rather, it was because ....... "raised his head, he tried his best not to avoid Li Yuan's gaze, "They feel that Dou Jiande came from a humble background, and when he became an emperor, he would better understand the thoughts of the people." And Your Majesty, Your Majesty's three generations of Guogong, are too far from the bottom! ”

"Bullshit!" Li Yuan was not angry at Cheng Mingzhen's honesty, but felt that Yin Qiu and the others were really stupid. "Is it wrong that I am of noble birth? Could it be that if you kill all the giants in the world, time will be too peaceful?! ”

Mr. Zhang said he had tried to do that. But it backfired! Cheng Mingzhen shook his head and admitted it calmly. It was a road that simply did not lead there. Putting aside the huge influence of the wealthy scholars, the wisdom and experience they possess in governing the place alone is not something that Zhang Jincheng and others can easily grasp. Therefore, Zhang Jin said that he could only be defeated, no matter how brilliant it was, it was also a matter of an instant.

"What about you, what do you think?" Li Yuan suddenly wanted to understand Cheng Mingzhen's thoughts, looked at him, and asked with a smile.

"Minister?!" Cheng Mingzhen hesitated slightly, but quickly gained courage. There are not many opportunities in this life for Li Yuan to listen to his thoughts, whether it is for the sake of the dead or the living, he must grasp it. "Chen thinks that killing all the wealthy is not the way. But blindly conniving at the wealthy is not the way to go. Although the people are weak and powerless, once they are in chaos, it is easy to burn the jade! ”

"The truth is exactly what you say. That's how the Great Sui died! Li Yuan also feels the same way about Cheng Mingzhen's opinions. But how do you balance the two, and do you have a way? ”

The minister has thought about it, but there is still no answer. Even if you are a child of a poor family, if you become an official, after three generations, I am afraid you will forget your roots! ”

"Hmm!" Li Yuan groaned in a low voice, very satisfied that Cheng Mingzhen could be so honest with himself. The lesson of the former Sui is just around the corner, and he has to be more vigilant. "Then what do you want most when you are a citizen?"

"Minister?" Cheng Mingzhen grinned bitterly, he suddenly found that Li Yuan's dress tonight was very similar to the old dragon of the Yellow River he dreamed of. "Chen's idea looks ridiculous now. Make money, treat the old lady, save money, marry a daughter-in-law, buy land, and have a baby! ”

"It's that simple!" Unexpectedly, the young talents under his command were so short-sighted, Li Yuan asked in shock, "Then why did you fall into the grass later?" It is said that you have not been a soldier, haven't you been a soldier? Is it someone who is deducting your salary? ”

"The government forced the people to rebel, and the people had to do the opposite!" Cheng Mingzhen let out a long sigh and responded loudly. Now that he's said so much, he doesn't care about saying more. "The minister also wanted to be a loyal and righteous person and ....... for the country and the people."

When he mentioned those encounters in Guantao County, his voice slowly became higher. was so shocked that the eunuch surnamed Zheng kept glancing at him, but he couldn't see it at all. In relatively simple language, he described how he and Wang Ermao sacrificed their lives to send Zhang Jincheng to the camp, and how they refused Zhang Jincheng's wooing for the sake of that temporary soldier's position. and how the county order will take revenge after returning to Guantao, and how the Zhou family will try to kill people in prison. And Zhang Jin said that after breaking through the pavilion pottery, he stated it again, without adding any fictional ingredients, but the words contained anger.

Li Yuan has inherited the title of Duke of Guo since he was eleven years old, and it is the authentic and authentic home of Zhong Ming Ding Food, who has ever heard such a tortuous story, and has been photographed several times, scolding the county for being ungrateful. When Cheng Mingzhen finally finished telling the past, he gritted his teeth in anger and was filled with righteous indignation, "The national beetle is really the national beetle." The Great Sui Dynasty was destroyed at the hands of this group of silverfish. My Datang will never repeat the mistakes of the past! The guy surnamed Zhou is Zhou Wen? I was deceived by him and appointed him to govern the place. Someone, quickly draw up a decree for me, and bring him back to me! ”

"Your Majesty, put your anger on hold for the time being!" As a party, Cheng Mingzhen seemed calmer than Li Yuan. Seeing that the other party was ready to turn over old accounts for himself, he quickly got up to dissuade him. "Now, the minister no longer hates Zhou County's order. At that time, it was estimated that anyone who stood in his position would treat the minister the same! ”

"What?" Li Yuan's brows furrowed into a Sichuan character. He admires those who have grace, but he is not ready to retaliate with such a big hatred, it is not temperament, but a nest.

"Your Majesty, listen to the minister!" Cheng Mingzhen arched his hand, ignored Li Yuan's attitude, and said his own reasons. After thinking about it carefully, the minister also understood the thoughts of the Zhou family, as a local noble family, the life of the minister, in their eyes, was like an ant, and it could not be equated with the status of his family at all. Therefore, in order to protect themselves, when they should frame their ministers, they will never be soft, and they will not feel guilty afterwards. Not only him, but Lin County's order, Dong Zhushu, and the two head catchers probably all have the same idea. Even if it is exposed later, it is estimated that no one will seriously pursue it! ”

"Uh-huh——!" Li Yuan let out a long breath from his nostrils, sat down again, and thought with a frown. If he had changed his own perspective as the head of the Zhou family, I am afraid that he would make the same choice, and he would only do it more simply and neatly, making Cheng Mingzhen's death even more unclear.

The young man's words were a little blunt, but before his eyes, he uncovered a place that he had never overlooked. It's not that it's deliberately ignored, but that the Manchu Dynasty and the civil and military have no similar background, and they have never stood on that angle.

"So, now, the minister no longer hates the Zhou family. The price paid by his family for this is not less than that of his ministers! Thinking silently of the faces of Shi Zhan, Yin Qiu, Wang Fubao, Zhang Jincheng and others, Cheng Mingzhen clarified his thoughts and slowly pointed out the topic he wanted to say. It may be very difficult to expect wealthy families to think about ordinary people. It is probably wishful thinking to expect ordinary people to have their stomachs full and be willing to make cattle and horses for large families. Enlightenment is a nice thing to say, but it has never been realized since ancient times. There are even more people who want to ask for the people's lives in their mouths, but secretly knock on the bones and suck the marrow. However, the grass people are not weeds, they are crushed and ruthless, and they will inevitably rise up. At that time, I am afraid that it will be the result of the burning of jade. Whether it is a wealthy family or a common people, in troubled times, it is difficult to predict anyone's fate! ”

"Hmm!" Li Yuan didn't expect Cheng Mingzhen to say such a novel point of view. Although it sounds a bit harsh, it is sobering. After a while, he let out a sigh and said slowly, "You do have a point, but what I need now is a solution. I have also come from troubled times, and I know that it is difficult. To be honest, even I didn't expect it to be where I am today. ”

"There is no solution, but the minister has a word, please make a decision for Your Majesty!" Cheng Mingzhen stood up and bowed to Li Yuan.

"Speak!" Li Yuan also stood up and gave a solemn order. This is not an official question from the court, but what the young man said today is definitely a treasure that he can pass on to his children and grandchildren.

"If possible. I implore Your Majesty to let the poor and the nobles, the rich and the poor, every type of people have the opportunity to let their wishes go straight to heaven in the court, and let every type of person have the opportunity to make their voices heard. Then, it's up to Your Majesty to decide! Cheng Mingzhen raised his voice and solemnly requested.

That's all there is to it. He couldn't decide what effect those words would have. As a man of mediocre qualifications, he is unable to change the whole world. You can only do your part when you can, do your part, let yourself, let the people around you, and let people like yourself live better and smoother. Don't let the misfortunes that happened to you happen to others will happen to you again.

He doesn't think he's a coward, no.