Zhou Renyuan didn't know what was happening in Hengzhou, and his family was already preparing for his marriage. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 At this time, he and Zhu Cihong had already marched towards the outside of the pass with three hundred guards and two hundred imperial forest troops.

Before he left, he went to visit Gao Qiqian in the prison of Dali Temple, and Gao Qiqian, who was wearing a prison uniform, seemed very surprised by his arrival. "The old slave is already a prisoner, the prince can still come to see the old slave, the old slave is really full of emotion." Gao Qiqian said as he wiped his tears.

Zhou Renyuan sighed and said, "No matter what, I and Gonggong Gao, you have been together from Hengzhou to the capital for a few days, and I should come to see you." No, I brought you some food and drink from outside. As he spoke, he opened the food box he was carrying, and inside was the dishes of Fangzhai from the capital, two meat and two vegetables, and a pot of wine.

Gao Qiqian thanked Zhou Renyuan, poured a glass of wine, and sighed, "This may be the last time the old slave will eat this vegetarian dish." After saying that, he drank the wine in his glass and whimpered.

Zhou Renyuan looked at Gao Qiqian quietly, he didn't hate Gao Qiqian in his heart, but he just felt a little pity for him. He still has some doubts that need to be answered by Gao Qidive.

Gao Qiqian gradually calmed down and said, "The prince came today to ask the old slave something." ”

Zhou Renyuan nodded and said, "I haven't always understood, since the days we got along, what I know about you, you should be a smart person, how could you do such a stupid thing?" ”

Gao Qiqian was stunned for a moment and asked, "Is the prince saying that I can't save myself when I see death, and I see Governor Lu surrounded by Tartars and annihilated?" ”

"That's just one of them." Zhou Renyuan said with a serious face: "What I am more concerned about is how could Gonggong Gao agree to accept the position of superintendent at that time?" Don't you know that military is child's play? ”

Gao Qiqian smiled bitterly and said, "Lord Wang, do you think the old slave is willing to be this prison soldier?" I don't know how many prison guards have been killed by thieves in HNHBSXXX and other places over the years? The old slave doesn't want to live peacefully in this capital? But can the old slave refuse the emperor's will? If he refuses, the old slave will lose his head on the charge of disrespecting the decree before he gets out of the capital! ”

Zhou Renyuan frowned tightly, and said slowly, "The appointment of the supervising army must be recommended by the Ministry of War, and the emperor approves it, I'm afraid that your appointment will still have the matter of the Ministry of War." ”

Gao Qiqian's eyes darkened, and he said, "Don't tell lies in front of real people, or not, Lord Chen Xinjia, the former secretary of the military department, has already been imprisoned anyway, so the old slave will tell the truth." Yes, it was Chen Xinjia who wanted the emperor to recommend the old slave to be this prison army. ”

"Oh? Tell us the details. Zhou Renyuan said.

"Actually, this is also related to the prince." Gao Qiqian suddenly said.

"What? Does it have anything to do with me? What's going on? Zhou Renyuan asked in surprise.

Gao Qiqian poured another glass of wine, and said while drinking, "In this court, those who agree to negotiate peace with the Tartars are the late Lord Yang Sichang, a scholar of Dongge University, and Lord Chen Xinjia, the former secretary of the Ministry of War, and the rest are the prince and the old slave me." The rest of the ministers were all opposed to peace, especially the Xuanda Governor Lu Xiangsheng, who was deeply trusted by the emperor and was firmly opposed to peace with the Tartars. Therefore, Scholar Yang, Master Chen Xinjia and the old slave decided to weaken Governor Lu's favor in front of the emperor. ”

"So you can ignore the life and death of Governor Lu, and ignore the lives of my Ming soldiers, and want to use the hand of the Tartars to put Governor Lu to death?" Zhou Renyuan said hatefully.

Gao Qiqian drank a glass of wine, shook his head and said, "We didn't want to go so far, we just wanted to force Governor Lu to withdraw his troops, and then find an opportunity for the imperial court and the Tartars to negotiate peace." Unexpectedly, this Governor Lu is a tendon, one road to the dark, with five thousand old and weak tired soldiers to dare to fight a decisive battle with the Tartars, this is beyond our expectations! ”

"That's because you don't know what it means to sacrifice oneself for righteousness, and what it means to be loyal to the country!" Zhou Renyuan scoffed.

Gao Qiqian looked at Zhou Renyuan, bowed his head and said, "What the prince said is that the old slave does not have the integrity to sacrifice his life for righteousness!" But the old slave is also looking for a way out for this court, isn't it loyal to the country? Aren't you in favor of peace? ”

Zhou Renyuan said angrily: "I agree with the peace, but the way to negotiate peace is not to sacrifice the lives of my Ming governor and soldiers to get a chance as you said. Do you know that the negotiation of defeat is always just a compromise by the vanquished, and an insult imposed by the victor on the loser? However, your father-in-law is willing to see the people of the world scold me for being a thief, and you are willing to be a thief? ”

Gao Qiqian smiled bitterly and said, "The old slave is most admired by Scholar Yang, Scholar Yang works for the country all day long, relieves the emperor's worries, he suggested to the emperor to negotiate peace with the Tartars, and the old slave also agrees." As long as the internal troubles of this Daming are solved, the Tartars will no longer dare to think about my Daming, but you know, as soon as Scholar Yang proposed peace, the impeachment of the ministers of the court flew all over the sky, scolding the ancestors of Scholar Yang for eight generations. Now Scholar Yang has passed away, but the old slave hates it in his heart, hates these so-called talented court ministers who say that they want to do their best for the emperor and the court, but they have become a shrunken turtle all day long, and you impeach you and impeach him all day long, and the old slave is unwilling! ”

Zhou Renyuan looked at him sympathetically and said, "I can understand your feelings, but you shouldn't have been, you shouldn't have been to Governor Lu to death, so that this Ming Dynasty will have one less Optimus Pillar!" ”

Gao Qiqian cried bitterly, "One wrong step, one wrong step!" Let the old slave go to this Nine Springs and apologize to Governor Lu! ”

Zhou Renyuan left the prison of Dali Temple with a heavy heart, and the minister of the Ming Dynasty only knew that the party was the same and the same in the face of internal troubles, and talked all day long, but did not know the current affairs, because of the difference in political views, he could ignore the country and use the army and the people as tools of struggle. It seems that no matter how hard I try, I am afraid that I will not be able to confront this court that has long been rotten in the bones of the Dao!

Zhu Cihong did not sit in a sedan chair this time, but insisted on riding a horse like Zhou Renyuan. "Fourth uncle, what are you thinking?" Zhu Cihong asked.

"Oh, nothing! I would like to ask the emperor how he arranged the aftermath of Governor Lu. Zhou Renyuan came back to his senses and said.

"Before we left Beijing, my father had already told me that Governor Lu's coffin would be stationed in the White Horse Temple for seven days, and then ask the monks of the White Horse Temple to chant the scriptures, and then arrange for someone to send Governor Lu's coffin to his hometown of Changzhou Yix County for burial." Zhu Cihong replied, "This time, the imperial court posthumously named Governor Lu as the secretary of the military department, and he was called a loyal martyr. ”

"Hmmm! Nicknamed Loyalty, Governor Lu deserves it! Zhou Renyuan nodded and said, "I don't want to see the pillars of the Ming Dynasty fall down one by one." ”

Zhu Cihong continued: "I heard my father say that this time Scholar Yang died of illness, and the position of Governor of Ganshan was vacant, Fourth Uncle, did you suggest that your father use Lord Sun Chuanting?" ”

Zhou Renyuan did not deny it: "Not bad! Could it be that the crown prince thinks that there is a better candidate than Lord Sun now? ”

Zhu Cihong hurriedly said, "Cihong didn't mean that, but Cihong heard that this Lord Sun was a little unruly and not very obedient, isn't this why he disobeyed his father's will before and was imprisoned!" ”

Zhou Renyuan smiled and said, "Where are people perfect?" Sun Chuanting is unruly, but he has a firm heart to serve the country, and why he disobeys the emperor's will, as a general, he knows his army best and has the most right to speak. The emperor asked him to take his SX Yulin Army to Liaodong to fight the Tartars, the Yulin Army is okay to deal with the thieves, but it is not possible to deal with the Tartars, and Li Zicheng's thieves are making trouble in the SXHN area, and the Yulin Army's hometown is not guaranteed, are you willing to go to Liaodong? In the past, Inspector Yuan had a saying, 'Liao people defend Liao land' is the right reason! ”

Zhu Cihong said in a low voice: "Could it be that the fourth uncle suggested that my father and emperor invite Elder Sun Chengzong to return to Beijing to live, just to ask Elder Sun Ge to go out of the mountain again to Liaodong to command the overall situation?" ”

Zhou Renyuan sighed, "Elder Sun Ge is already seventy-six this year, if he can be ten years younger, I must suggest that the emperor invite him to go out of the mountain again." Now I just hope that Sun Ge Lao has a safe place to retire in his old age, and forget about my thoughts. ”

"As soon as Sun Ge arrived in Beijing three days ago, he went to his father to thank him. Father told him that it was still the fourth uncle, and you reminded him that he was going to take Sun Ge Lao back to Beijing, and Sun Ge Lao said that he would come to thank the fourth uncle in a special meeting. Zhu Cihong said.

"I have never had the opportunity to visit Sun Ge Lao when I returned to Beijing this time, and I am also very sorry. Let's talk about it after this negotiation returns to Beijing. Zhou Renyuan said thoughtfully, Sun Chengzong is not safe in Beijing, and when he goes back, he has to think of a way to let him go to the south to avoid this catastrophe, even if he can't go to his own Hengzhou, FJ is not a good choice.

Shanhaiguan is not far from the capital, Zhou Renyuan and Zhu Cihong arrived at Shanhaiguan four days later, the majestic pass stands between the mountains, like a mighty giant guarding the last barrier of the Ming Dynasty.

In the distance, a young Ming army general with a hundred cavalry saw Zhou Renyuan's team and galloped over.

"Wu Sangui, the general of Shanhaiguan, visited His Royal Highness the Prince, His Royal Highness King Yongming." The general dismounted and said.

"Huh? You are Wu Sangui's chief soldier? Zhou Renyuan asked.

"Returning to the prince, it is the last general." Wu Sangui replied without humility or arrogance.

Zhou Renyuan looked at Wu Sangui, and saw that he was about twenty years old, with a white face, bright eyes, two sword eyebrows straight into the sideburns, a high nose bridge, and a handsome face. Wearing a silver armor, his body exudes a heroic aura, no wonder they all say that he is a white-robed general!

Wu Sangui was a little uncomfortable by Zhou Renyuan's look, and said, "His Royal Highness the Prince, His Royal Highness the Prince, please come to the General Military Mansion to rest." ”

Zhu Cihong also felt that Zhou Renyuan's actions were a bit rude, and hurriedly responded, "Please ask General Wu to lead the way." ”

The Shanhaiguan General Military Mansion is located in the urn city of "the first pass in the world", and Zhou Renyuan's personal guards and Zhu Cihong's Imperial Forest Army were arranged to rest in other large camps.

Wu Sangui led Zhou Renyuan and Zhu Cihong into the General Soldier's Mansion, and Zhou Renyuan saw that there were a few paintings of Wu Sangui's own calligraphy and paintings hanging in the lobby, and said strangely, "General Wu is both civil and military!" ”

Wu Sangui smiled embarrassedly, "When the last general was young, he worshipped the painter Mr. Dong Qichang as his teacher, but Sangui was not talented, and he didn't know the essentials of this painting. Put it away. ”

Seeing this, Zhu Cihong hurriedly said, "It's okay! Anyway! Mr. Wu is not very old, but he is both civil and military, and he is a Confucian general of my Ming Dynasty. ”

Zhou Renyuan also nodded and said, "What the prince said is extremely true, don't touch these ink treasures of General Wu." ”

At this time, the wine and food were ready, Wu Sangui invited Zhou Renyuan and Zhu Cihong to sit down, Zhou Renyuan saw that the workmanship of these dishes was extremely fine, it seems that this Wu Sangui is still a person who knows how to enjoy.

Zhou Renyuan took a bite of the dish and asked while eating, "General Wu, do you know that this time the Tartars sent Haoge to negotiate, who else came?" ”

Wu Sangui put down his chopsticks and replied, "According to the Jinzhou General Soldier, my uncle and grandfather, this time the Tartars sent Haoge as the chief envoy for peace and also sent Dolgon as a deputy envoy. ”

"Dolgon? But the fourteenth brother of Huang Taiji? Zhu Cihong asked.

Zhou Renyuan was stunned for a moment, okay, even Dolgon is coming, and the performance of this peaceful drama is becoming more and more like the real thing.

"Fourth uncle, what are you thinking?" Zhu Cihong asked.

Zhou Renyuan smiled and said, "I'm thinking, this Emperor Taiji sent his younger brother Dolgon, who is the most capable of fighting, it seems that this negotiation is more difficult." ”

"Why?" Zhu Cihong asked.

"Although Haoge was the crown prince of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, his teacher was Fan Wencheng, a Han Chinese, and Fan Wencheng instilled in him mostly the Confucian doctrines of our Han people, so it was easier to communicate with Haoge. But what this Dolgon advocates is the killing and bloody force of the nomads, this Huang Taiji is very scheming, neither can let Hauge be too weak, and can not let Dolgon be too aggressive, the two reconcile each other, Huang Taiji is really a good move! Zhou Renyuan explained.

Zhu Cihong nodded yes repeatedly, and Wu Sangui was very shocked by Zhou Renyuan's analysis in his heart. His father Wu Xiang admired King Yongming in a letter, hoping that he would one day be able to make friends with King Yongming, and today when he saw Zhou Renyuan outside the gate, Wu Sangui felt that King Yongming's eyes were a little unusual, as if he could see himself through. Wu Sangui is also a generation of Confucian generals who boast of being strategic, but he feels that Zhou Renyuan's eyes hide the light of unfathomable wisdom.

But Wu Sangui still has a knot in his heart, that is, his father Wu Xiang mentioned in his letter that his concubine Chen Yuanyuan actually married Jin Lan to Yongming Wang Yi, but Chen Yuanyuan never mentioned it, which made him very unhappy. Wu Xiang was also afraid that he would have too much heart, and said in the letter that he heard that King Yongming himself was a songwriter and composer, and his interaction with Chen Yuanyuan was probably only an exchange of lyrics and music and mutual appreciation, and he did not think about Chen Yuanyuan.

Wu Sangui thought of this, and decided to test Zhou Renyuan, and said, "The prince has a thorough opinion, and sure enough, as my father said, the prince can often reach people's hearts. I heard my father say that the prince is a songwriter, Sangui is presumptuous, can you ask the prince to compose a song and give it to the last general? ”

Zhou Renyuan looked at Wu Sangui, and suddenly laughed and said, "Since Wu Zongbing has this Yaxing, and he is the husband of my righteous sister, he can be regarded as his own person, so the king will be ugly!" Prince, you come to transcribe! ”

Wu Sangui hurriedly ordered someone to prepare pen and ink for Zhu Cihong.

Zhou Renyuan picked up the chopsticks and knocked on the wine glass, and sang, "Everyone in the world knows that the gods are good, only the fame cannot be forgotten!" Where will the past and the present meet? A pile of grass is gone! Everyone in the world knows that the gods are good, only gold and silver can't forget! In the end, I only hated to gather much, and when I got to it, my eyes were closed! Everyone in the world knows that the gods are good, only the wife can't forget it! Jun's birthday said kindness, Jun died and went with others! Everyone in the world knows that the gods are good, only the children and grandchildren can't forget! There are many infatuated parents in ancient times, who has seen filial piety to their children and grandchildren? ”

Zhu Cihong walked the dragon and snake with his pen, and after writing it, he shouted, "Fourth uncle, good words!" What is the name of this poem? ”

Zhou Renyuan drank a glass of wine and said, "This is "Okay Song", which can also be called "Song of Persuasion". ”

Zhu Cihong praised repeatedly, but Wu Sangui's face changed greatly, this word was inserted into his chest like a needle, this word was talking about himself.

Zhou Renyuan picked up the words, handed them to Wu Sangui, and said meaningfully, "This poem will be given to Mr. Wu, I hope Mr. Wu will have a good life, after all, this is the prince's ink treasure!" ”

Wu Sangui regained his composure, and hurriedly thanked, "Thank you, Your Royal Highness the Prince, thank you, Your Royal Highness." As he spoke, he quickly and carefully took the words.

Zhou Renyuan thought in his heart, I don't know if this Wu Sangui can take out this "Okay Song" in the future and think about it carefully, and choose his own fate and the fate of Daming again?