Yuan Zhou was originally feared by Yang Guang because he was Yang Xiu's gang and how much he was in charge of the forbidden army, but this time he just found an excuse, and he made a big fuss about it, put Yuan Zhou in prison, and soon let him die violently in prison for no apparent reason.

As for the Shangguan Zheng, he was a blessing in disguise, was recalled to Daxing, became the general of Xiaowei, and the informant Qiu He was appointed as the assassin of Daizhou, replacing Li Jing, who was promoted to the pillar state and the general of the right guard Wu.

It was not until February of the first year of the Great Cause, when Yang Guang ordered that the heroes of the rebellion be rewarded for three months after leaving the party to punish Yang Liang, and most of the requisitioned armies had been disbanded and returned home.

Yang Su was promoted one level from Shangshu's left servant position and became Shangshu Ling, the nominal head of the empire, while his three sons Wan Shi, Renxing and Xuan Ting, who had been succeeded to Yang Su's younger brother Yang Yue, were all named Yitong.

During this period of time, there was a big thing, at the end of the fourth year of Renshou in December, Chen Shubao suddenly died, although Zhou Luohu, who returned to Beijing at that time, has not received any reception from Yang Guang, and Yang Su was forced by the shape at that time, and did not dare to recommend him to take command of the expedition to sweep away the remnants of Yang Liang's three states, but after hearing the news, Zhou Luohu took the initiative to ask to see Yang Guang, asking to cry for the old master, and Yang Guang played on the spot.

Just after Zhou Luohu worshiped the spiritual seat of the queen Chen, he took the initiative to ask for orders to go out to attack the three states and counties of Jin, Jiang and Lü, which were not surrendered, because Yang Guang dealt with Yang Liang's remaining party too strictly, the defenders of the three states had no hope and were determined to fight to the death.

When Zhou Luohu attacked Jiangzhou, he uncharacteristically charged forward as an elderly coach, did not avoid arrows and stones, and took the lead in rushing to the city. As a result, he was shot by a stray arrow. Bring down the city. He died of exhaustion on the spot.

When Zhou Luohu's coffin was transported back to Beijing, just a few miles away, the horse pulling the cart refused to continue forward, and a strange wind blew around the coffin, which lasted for a long time.

At that time, Sima Guo Yaji, who was returning to Beijing in Jiangzhou, saw this situation, patted the coffin and cried: "Does the general hate these thieves for not being pacified? We'll be wiped out soon, don't worry. ”

It's really a god, as soon as these few words are finished. The strange wind vanished without a trace, and the horses could continue on their way.

After Zhou Luohu's coffin returned to Beijing, Yang Guang did not ask about the correspondence between Zhou Luohu and Xiao Maha, but posthumously presented Zhou Luohu Zhuguo and General Youxuwei, nicknamed Zhuang.

And Chen Zhishen, who was escorted back to Beijing, was also released, it is said that Yang Guang was moved by his loyalty and allowed him to collect the body of Xiao Maha, because Xiao Maha's body was exposed to the city as the leader of the rebellion in Jinyang, and Xiao Shilian was not released for a while. Xiao Maha actually ended up with no one collecting the body for several months.

In the end, it was this Chen Zhishen who returned to Jinyang and collected Xiao Maha's body into the coffin. And as a filial son, he was buried all the way, crying sadly, and passers-by were all moved.

When Wang Shichong heard this, he couldn't help but sigh: "I didn't expect that it was really the same as I expected, General Zhou still sacrificed himself to protect the family." So what's wrong with Xiao Shilian now? ”

Pei Shiju nodded: "The children of the family all have this kind of awareness, and General Zhou is worthy of respect." ”

"As for Xiao Shilian, the Criminal Department reported that due to Yang Su's secret operation, and the fact that it has been several months, the emperor's attention is now all on the Eastern Capital, and he can't take care of these Yang Liang's remnants, so Xiao Shilian escaped the round of executions at the end of last year and was sentenced to exile for 3,000 miles to fill the army."

Wang Shichong pondered for a moment and said, "Then where was Xiao Shilian exiled?" ”

Pei Shiju said: "I heard that I went to Youzhou." When the rebellion of Yang Liang was quelled, Dou Kang, the former governor of Youzhou, was taken down on the spot by Li Zixiong, who was recommended by Yang Su, and escorted back to the capital in a prisoner car, and now Youzhou is temporarily taken over by Li Zixiong. Xingman, do you want to say hello to Yang Su and ask him to send a letter to Li Zixiong and take care of this Xiao Shilian? ”

Wang Shichong shook his head and said, "No need, you can't get too close to the Xiao family at this time, so as not to be true." ”

Pei Shiju nodded: "One more important thing is that, according to what Yang Guang has discussed with us in the past few days, he is ready to abolish the governors of various states." ”

Wang Shichong exclaimed: "Is it really going to take this step?" ”

Pei Shiju said: "Yes, this time Yang Liang raised troops to deal a big blow to the emperor, he felt that these states and counties, especially the governors of large states like Bingzhou, have military power, political power, and financial power in one, and the power is too great, and even poses a great threat to his imperial power." So he had already decided to abolish the governors of the states, just waiting for the official edict. ”

Wang Shichong said with a smile: "This is Yang Guang's own death, abolishing the governors of the states is also resenting the major Guanlong wealthy families, in the past, the emperor used his son as the governor of the state, and the clan as the royal guard, Yang Guang didn't even seem to believe his son." By the way, is there any news about Liu Fang's expedition to Linyi? ”

Pei Shiju nodded: "Five days ago, there was already a military report to Daxing, Liu Fang since the end of last year began to march to Linyi, in the first month, he sent Qinzhou Assassin Shi Ning Changzhen to lead more than 10,000 cavalry troops from the land march, out of Jiuzhen County to march to Linyi, and he led the main force of more than 40,000 people from Panyu to the sea, and reached the Haikou of Linyi in February. ”

Wang Shichong sighed when he heard this: "Sure enough, it is exactly as I expected, Liu Fang still took the old road of horse aid, supplemented by land attacks, and the main force is to cross the ocean to directly attack the opponent's vital points." ”

Pei Shiju smiled: "That's right, this action was completely unexpected by Lin Yi State, Lin Yi Wang Fanzhi hurriedly requisitioned some garrison troops around the capital to guard the beach, but was defeated by Liu Fang, Liu Fangjun took advantage of the victory and attacked directly, and marched towards the capital of Lin Yi State. ”

Wang Shichong nodded slightly and said, "What happened later?" This month, it should be almost time for a decisive battle with the main force withdrawn by Lin Yi Kingdom. ”

Pei Shiju said: "Xingman's expected score is exactly right, since the end of last month, the enemy army has begun to transfer back the main force of Ning Changzhen's division that resisted danger in the north, and is ready to fight a decisive battle with Liu Fangjun." ”

"The Linyi army went out of the Yanli River, set up a fence on the river cliff, and camped for dozens of miles. Confronted Liu Fangjun across the river. Liu Fangjun was the regular main force of the Great Sui. Liu Fang marched with drums, the morale of the department was soaring, the border of Linyi was a small country, and he had never seen such a mighty military formation, and he collapsed for a while, Liu Fangjun took the opportunity to cross the river and continue to advance. ”

"After another thirty miles. Lin Yiguo dispatched the last elite troops, that is, the giant elephant troops, I heard that these giant elephants are two or three zhang tall, weigh thousands of catties, have rough skin and thick meat, are not afraid of spears, and outflank Liu Fang's troops from all directions. Liu Fang's army was unfavorable in the initial battle, and after retreating for more than ten miles, he camped and defended. ”

Wang Shichong's face changed slightly, and he said, "It turns out that they also have elephant soldiers. "Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms" once said that Zhuge Wuhou of Shu Han had also encountered this kind of giant beast during the expedition to the Southern Barbarians, which also gave Zhuge Wuhou a headache. In the seventeenth year of the emperor's reign. Shi Wansui and I also encountered elephant soldiers when we were conquering the Southern Barbarians, how did Liu Fang deal with it later? ”

Pei Shiju smiled slightly, and said: "General Liu dug small pits all around that night, inserted spikes in them, and covered the pits with turf as a disguise, the size of the pit is comparable to the thickness of the elephant's legs. ”

Wang Shichong was secretly happy in his heart, and asked, "What happened later?" ”

Pei Shiju continued: "The next day, General Liu took the initiative to send troops to challenge, but the enemy's old trick was repeated, and the elephant soldiers led the battle, and they fell into those small pits, unable to move for a while. General Liu took the opportunity to order a strong crossbow to shoot those elephants, but the elephants fled in pain, turned around and stepped on their own rear army, as a result, the Linyi army was out of control, and General Liu waved his army to attack with a full victory. ”

"In this battle, General Liu beheaded 40,000 or 50,000 prisoners, wiped out the main force of the Linyi army in one fell swoop, crossed the horse aid copper pillar, and now has reached the outside of the capital of Linyi. It was heard that the king of Linyi had abandoned the capital and fled into the forest, and General Liu's army had entered the capital of Linyi. ”

Wang Shichong breathed a long sigh of relief, a smile bloomed on his face, and he stroked his beard and said: "Liu Fang really didn't disappoint Yang Su, he was indeed able to fight, and after opening up Lin Yi, we also have one more way back." ”

Pei Shiju also smiled and said: "Or the Duke of Yue Guo has the wisdom to know people, Liu Fang has been idle for many years, but he has real talent and hard work, this can succeed in the first battle, this time he has established no less than the great merit of the Eastern Han Dynasty horse aid, and he is famous outside the four seas, so he must be able to satisfy the emperor's mood of great joy." ”

Wang Shichong nodded, and suddenly asked Pei Shiju, "What happened to Li Gang who followed the army later?" ”

Pei Shiju shook his head and said: "There is no clear news, but I heard that when he was marching a while ago, Li Gang did not suffer less, General Liu has been looking for his ballast, giving him small shoes, and even Li Gang was so angry that he wanted to commit suicide, and later snatched it back for the people around him, and then stayed in the army. ”

Wang Shichong's face sank, and he said: "Maybe this Liu Fang's actions were instructed by Su Wei, with my understanding of Yang Su, he shouldn't be so ruthless." ”

Pei Shiju also nodded and asked, "Then according to Xingman, for this Liu Fang, what official position will the emperor bestow?" ”

Wang Shichong pondered for a while, and said: "This time to quell Yang Liang's rebellion, all the generals will be promoted to the rank of knight, Yang Yichen will be awarded the title of general, and the history of Xiangzhou will be added to pacify Yang Liang's hometown; Li Jing, who stubbornly defended Daizhou, was promoted to the Pillar State, the general of the Right Military Guard; Wang Rengong was promoted to the history of Shuozhou Thorn; Zhang Xutuo, who was the same as the original position, was added to open the mansion; Yu Juluo and Mai Tie Staff have also been rewarded, and even I, who have also been sealed as a squire of the Criminal Department, will recently transfer the history of Yingzhou Thorn. ”

"And Liu Fang is different, he is independent and led a lone army to expedition overseas, it turns out that he has an official position of Guazhou Assassin History, this time this great achievement, at least it will not be lower than Li Jing's official position, if he returns to the dynasty, at least he can go to the position of a general or even a pillar country, and then send a Dazhou Assassin like Yang Yichen."

Wang Shichong sighed secretly, turned to Pei Shiju again, and said, "The most important thing, has Yang Xuangan's official appointment come out?" ”

Pei Shiju said: "The news that just came out today seems to be given the title of Songzhou Assassin History, and the edict will arrive later." ”

Wang Shichong shook his head: "Songzhou?" I haven't imagined how I'm going to do this Yingzhou Thorn History, Hongdae, you were a foreign assassin back then, tell me how to manage it. ”

Pei Shiju smiled slightly and said: "This thorn history, it is difficult to say, easy to say, easy to say, in fact, to put it bluntly, it depends on how you will use people!" ”

Wang Shichong let out an "oh", put down the tea bowl in his hand, and pricked up his ears. Make a deaf and listening frame.

Pei Shiju cleared his throat. said: "Actually, you will be the assassin immediately." It's not a person who really goes to the local area to be a parent official, in most cases, those officials under you have been in that state and county, and there is a saying in the army called the iron-beaten battalion and flowing water soldiers, in fact, it is the same in the locality, the iron-beaten small officials and flowing water officials. ”

"The history of a state assassin is generally three years, according to my Great Sui law. Every year, the official performance of the assassin is assessed, and if the results of the assessment are good in the past three years and are listed as excellent, you can enter the court as an official. ”

Wang Shichong has read a lot of military history books over the years, and he doesn't know much about this way of being an official. See the verdict of the case? ”

Pei Shiju laughed and said, "Okay, how can the governor of a state focus on judging the case!" Of course, every day it is necessary to go to court to deal with these civil lawsuits. But the main focus must not be on this, if you are only concerned with solving cases all day long. Then the final assessment must be the last. ”

Wang Shichong asked with a smile: "Why is this, isn't it good to be the master of Qingtian?" ”

Pei Shiju sighed and said: "For the imperial court, whether it is a state or a county, the most important thing is that there can be no chaos and no one can rebel. Otherwise, whether it is recruiting security or extermination, it is time-consuming, laborious and costly, and there is a rebellion in the states and counties where they are served, and the history of assassination that they can't solve by themselves is not bad. ”

Wang Shichong nodded: "That's the reason, as long as the officials don't force the people to rebel, it's not easy to have a large-scale rebellion." ”

Pei Shiju said: "During the Kaihuang period, there were basically no bandits, and the security situation of the whole country was very good, because the emperor practiced frugality, and he was also light on the people, and recuperated with the people. Therefore, the people live and work in peace and contentment, so naturally they don't have to take risks and gather in the mountains and forests. ”

"During the Kaihuang period, there were several rebellions in places where barbarians gathered, such as Lingnan and Shuzhong, and the governors of these places such as Yang Xiu were rampant, wanton, oppressing and brutalizing the people of those ethnic minorities, and then there would be unscrupulous people who took advantage of the chaos to rise up and gather people to rebel. The line is full, there are also some Yiren in Yingzhou where you are going, you must be careful in this regard, and you must not repeat the mistakes of Yang Liang. ”

When Pei Shiju said this, his expression became extremely strict, and he didn't blink his eyes.

Wang Shichong arched his hand and said, "Thank you Hongdae." Keep in mind. ”

Pei Shiju let out a sigh of relief, his expression softened slightly, and said: "As for this official, most of them are hereditary local powerful people, and they can be regarded as some local families of a lower grade. They are not strictly officials of the dynasty, they are not in the bureaucratic establishment, and the imperial court does not issue money, but they are often the actual controllers of a state, a county, or a county. ”

Wang Shichong listened attentively and didn't say a word.

Pei Shiju continued: "According to the system of this dynasty, the assassins are often the children of the family, and they are released after serving as the palace guards for several years, so it can be said that these people in the people, the big families in the local area, but they are not enough to be the children of the family, and there is no title to be an official in the shadow, so there are only two ways out, either to fight for military merits from the army and earn the title, or to go to the government to be an official." ”

Wang Shichong asked: "Since these officials do not have a salary, and are strictly speaking, ordinary people, who will approve them to become officials, and who will pay their salaries?" Presumably, they will not do things without taking money, and they must have a family to support. ”

Pei Shiju said with a smile: "The mystery is here, and the income of these officials is nominally to be shared from you, the assassin of the history." ”

Wang Shichong said with a smile: "Hongdae, is it because it is impossible for the assassin to take over all the administrative affairs of a state by himself, so he needs a large number of officials to help, and the salary of these officials must be divided by the fortune of this assassin, right?" ”

Pei Shiju nodded: "Yes, unless you can handle all the affairs of a state and county by yourself, from tax collection to adjudication, from levying to inspecting, you will be the one who carries the flag in front, opens the road, makes the account book, and plays the board in the court, all of which are done by yourself, otherwise if you hire someone to do these things, you will have to pay people's salaries." ”

Wang Shichong said suddenly: "Wait, Hongdae, isn't there a lizheng in this township, and there are also fangzheng in the city, aren't they just responsible for these specific affairs?" Are these people officials or officials? ”

Pei Shiju was stunned for a moment at first, and then said with a smile: "This question is a bit interesting, the position of Li Zheng has been established since the Spring and Autumn Period, at that time it was eighty households for one li, which belonged to the formal official establishment, not officials, but also had the imperial court." ”

"Since the founding of this dynasty, there are twenty-five households outside Beijing as one li, each li has one Li Zheng, one hundred households are one party, and one party leader is set up.

Wang Shichong nodded: "So they don't need me to give them another share of the thorn history." ”

Pei Shiju said: "That's true, it's just that these grassroots officials must also have tolerances under them, and these tolerances are either the servants who serve in the village and township, or they are simply the sons and nephews of these people. (To be continued......)