Receive generous gifts and let the tiger return to the mountain

Go up the river as you wish

After Xin Qiji moved to Zhenjiang, the imperial court dismissed Wu Xi from a job on Jinghu North Road and moved to Xingzhou as the commander of Xingzhou and the governor of Xingzhou.

It has always been Wu Xi's wish to return to Xingzhou, Sichuan, and this time, he tried all his means and mobilized all resources.

In that year, the palace commander Guo Jun was promoted to the Wukang Army Festival Envoy, served as the commander of Xingzhou and knew Xingzhou, unexpectedly, just arrived, and returned to his hometown because of his mother's funeral, more than two years later, he was added as a lieutenant, and still served as the commander of Xingzhou and Xingzhou, and soon drank too much in the Xingzhou army and fell off his horse and died. Later, his brother Guo Qi succeeded him.

In Wuxing, whether it is the garrison army or the state yamen, the Wu family and the subordinates of the Wu family abound. During Wu Xi's return to his hometown to visit, Xu Jingwang, the judge of Xingzhou Jiedu, and Dong Zhen, the commander of Xingzhou, came to visit, and when chatting, Dong Zhen persuaded him:

Captain, what do you mean in Ezhou, come back quickly, we brothers are looking forward to you!

This Dong Zhen was only a deputy general of the Destroying Front Army before, but because he could observe words and feelings, he was appreciated by Wu Xi and promoted one after another.

Wu Xi's face was worried: Do you think I don't want to, those things, I am afraid that Wu Jiajun will become bigger, and if I ask for it repeatedly, the court will not allow it, so what can I do?

Xu Jingwang said, Taiwei, it is up to heaven to make things happen, and it is up to people to make things, how can you do what you want if you don't want to do it?

This surnamed Xu turned out to be just a Sihu from Xingzhou to join the army, and was recommended by him because his daughter married Wu Xi's nephew.

Oh, in-laws, they all say that you are resourceful, you can give a trick.

After thinking for a while, Xu Jingwang whispered to Wu Dong and the others: Let's have a two-pronged approach, here the idea is to get rid of the surnamed Guo, and there to dredge the joints, buy the prime minister, and persuade the Taishi.

Xingzhou military marshal Guo Qi has no ink on his chest, only because his ancestor has been in the army, he got this high position. This man had a violent temper, often punished sergeants and generals with sticks, and was extremely greedy for money, and was unpopular in the army.

It didn't take long for Dong Zhen to get evidence of Guo Dutong's corruption of military salaries and incompetence in commanding the army, and Wu Xi provided these to Deng Youlong, the imperial historian in the palace.

Deng Youlong used this to impeach Guo Junshuai: greedy, fierce, immoral and incompetent. In the long run, it will damage my Great Wall.

With detailed evidence, there is no need to investigate and verify, go down a piece of paper, Guo Qi wipe it to the end, and go home to hug his grandson.

For Chen Zhishan, the left minister, Wu Xi also put some effort into it. Whenever there is an important festival, bud tho is indispensable, and he has to personally send some gold and silver treasures. When he learned that Xiangye was about to celebrate his 70th birthday, he asked him to make a special gift with pure gold.

On the eve of his birthday, Wu Xi entered the Prime Minister's Mansion to congratulate him: Old Xiangye, Wu Xi came from thousands of miles away, wishing you good fortune like the East China Sea and longevity than Nanshan. This is a small heart, please smile.

When I opened the box, there was a small golden cow wrapped in gold velvet, weighing a pound.

Chen Zhishan's eyes lit up and stroked it with his hand, "Oh, these eyes are still gemstones, Taiwei Wu is too polite." ”

The next day, the Prime Minister's Mansion feasted guests, and there was an endless stream of civil and military officials and wealthy tycoons who came to celebrate their birthdays and give gifts.

Wu Xi was late, and the doorman took a roll call, "Taiwei and Ezhou Jiangling Mansion are all under the control of Wu Xi." Wu Xi hugged his fists, "Prime Minister, Wu Xi hurried to catch up and finally caught up, 10,000 congratulatory gifts, not a tribute." Congratulations to the old minister every year today, every year has today. ”

Chen Zhishan also continued to act, Taiwei Wu, he killed the old man, let you come from so far away, and it was so expensive.

After that, Chen Zhishan said to Wu Xi, you want to go back to Shu, I have no problem with this level, but you have to convince the master.

Then you have to point out the prime minister.

If you are looking for a teacher, you don't need to take money, just bring some small gifts. When talking, just focus on making contributions.

When he met Han Yanxuan, Wu Xi brought a pair of large vases more than one person high. This bottle comes from Ruzhou Junyao, painted with a large peony all over the body, called rich and peaceful, and is bought from Jinguo by the trustee.

When entering the main topic, Wu Xi went straight to the topic:

Shiwang, Wu Xi came today, and he still asked me to return to Wuxing.

Isn't Ezhou very good? Why do you have to go back?

Shiwang, my mother is seventy and six this year, I left home at the age of fifteen, and I have not been in Wuxing for a long time, you see, the old man still has a few years to live, and they all say that filial piety should be done as soon as possible, and if you don't go back, I'm afraid it will be too late.

Han Yanxuan didn't speak, just looked at him quietly.

I know that since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety have been in dilemma, but let me return to Wuxing, it can be said that I can not only be loyal to the country, but also do the way of the son of man, the best of both worlds.

Shiwang, you see, the Xingzhou cantonment is less than 100 miles to the west and north, that is, the Jin country, as a military general, you should gallop the territory to protect the family and defend the country. In recent years, the two countries have been stable, and there are no swords and soldiers, but they can't enter Kuma and put Nanshan with swords and guns. "Sun Tzu's Art of War" says, do not rely on the enemy not to attack me, but rely on me not to attack. This means that we should not imagine that the enemy will not attack, but that we should be prepared to meet the enemy, and even if the enemy attacks us, he will not be able to return. I know that some people, especially that Zhao Ruyu, will always say that they can't let Wu Xi go back, and the Wu family is too powerful in Sichuan. However, it is precisely because our Wu family army is strong that we can protect the tranquility of the Sichuan-Shaanxi frontier. Shiwang, think about it, from my grandfather to my father, and then to my generation, for 70 years, which one has misbehaved and has a word that offends the royal family? I only know that the eldest uncle, grandfather, and uncle and uncle are all loyal to the imperial court, fulfill their duties, and have always walked on thin ice, and never dare to think about anything wrong. You say that such a loyal and good general, and it is unreasonable to suspect and prevent crimes?

Han Yanxuan explained, it's not that he is not worried, it has always been a practice in this dynasty to restrict military generals, not just for your Wu family.

Wu Xi also borrowed the slope to get off the donkey, well, it is okay to take precautions early. But let's also share the weight of gains and losses. Shiwang, Ling Zengzu was a civil servant, and when the country needed it, he stepped forward and established a miracle, which is admirable. As for us military generals, should we think more for the country, use force to open up the border, and make meritorious contributions. You let me go back, I immediately organize the drill of soldiers and horses, build fortifications, and guard the border fortress well, once the conditions are ripe, as soon as you give the order, I will take the lead in killing the past, and tell others to turn over on their backs, and throw away their armor. This thousand-year-old work is naturally yours.

These words, when it came to Han Yanxuan's weakness, his heart moved.

Anyway, the king of this county will fulfill you.

The plan was naturally taken by the prime minister, and Chen Zhishan stated his reasons to the emperor: The Wu family has been operating in Shu for decades, and it is the Northwest Great Wall that our dynasty can rely on.

After listening to this, Zhao Kuo raised his head and asked Han Yanxuan: What does Master Han think?

Han Yanxuan took a step forward and said: Your Majesty, the minister thinks that the prime minister's words are reasonable, and the minister also heard that the Wu family guards Western Shu, and the Shu people are used to it and stable. How to handle it, please let the emperor decide.

In the winter of the third year of Jiatai (1203), Wu Xi finally got his wish, rented a few big ships, loaded heavy goods, took his concubines, showed off his might, traced the Jialing River, and went straight to his hometown.