In July of the same year, a team of more than 30 pack horses, more than 20 camels and more than 100 caravans slowly entered Longcheng (now Chaoyang City, Liaoning), the capital of Yan Kingdom. This caravan is not big, but it is not small, after all, Pingzhou and Youzhou under the rule of Yan are one of the few peaceful places in the Central Plains of Jiangbei. Since the end of the Han Dynasty, the Central Plains was in turmoil, and a large number of scholars and people fled across the sea into Liaodong. After the Rebellion of the Eight Kings, the Central Plains was turbulent, the Hu people were raging, and hundreds of thousands of people and families fled to Pingzhou.

In the second year of Xiankang (336), the former Yan lord Murong Hao defeated the rebellious cousin Murong Han and his younger brothers Murong Ren and Murong Zhao, and restored the land of Liaodong. In October of the third year of Xiankang (337), he was called the king of Yan in Dajian City (now northwest of Yixian County, Liaoning), and in the fourth year of Xiankang and Northern Zhao Shihu, he jointly defeated Duan Liao, the leader of Xianbei of the Duan clan in eastern Liao, and won the land of western Liao, and then defeated the Zhao army and occupied Pingzhou exclusively. Xiankang moved the capital to Longcheng in eight years. In the first year of Yonghe (345), Murong Hao led the army to defeat the Yuwen Xianbei Department attached to Northern Zhao, captured its capital, and its leader Yuwen Yidou fled to Mobei, ending the situation of the three divisions of Eastern Xianbei fighting for hegemony, dominating Pingzhou and Liaodong, and then defeating Goguryeo, Fuyu and other countries, the strength is even more indispensable.

Murong Hao was deeply influenced by the culture of the Central Plains, advocating Confucianism, setting up an east (school), and taking the children of royal ministers as official students, and being called a high protégé. Teach in person, and test the merits and disadvantages every month.

In September of the fourth year of Yonghe, Murong Hao, his second son Murong Junhei, that is, the throne of Yan, pardoned his territory, according to the story of the Spring and Autumn Period, called the first month of the first year, with Murong Ke as the auxiliary general, and Murong was rated as the auxiliary general. Zuo Chang Shi Yang is a general of Fuyi, and he thinks that he is a major minister of three auxiliaries. And by the Jiangzuo court title, the envoy of the festival, the servant, the governor, the governor of Hebei military, You, Hebei, and, Ping four states of the pastor, the general, the big single Yu, the king of Yan, the system of worship as the Xuan, the story of Hao.

In the fifth year of Yonghe, Northern Zhao Shihu died of illness, the Central Plains was in turmoil, Murong Jun took the opportunity to lead the army south, and defeated Northern Zhao Youzhou assassin Shi Wang Wu. forced him to abandon Jicheng and retreat to Lukou (now Raoyang, Hebei). Murong Jun beheaded the king who stayed in Jicheng. Take it straight to Youzhou. And Chen soldiers are on the border, ready to go south at any time.

The greatly strengthened Yan State has a large number of Yuanping, You, Hebei, Qing, and Sizhou families and Xianbei nouveau riche, and they have a large number of people who have migrated from Youzhou and Jizhou, or they are tribes, or semi-military camp households, military feudal households, and shadow households, or Tuntian households. Although these people had to pay high land rent and taxes to the family and the nouveau riche, the laws of the Murong family of the Yan Kingdom were strict. Heavy agriculture and mulberry and water conservancy, plus the world here is peaceful, and the year is smooth, so the people feel that they can get by, which is better than the Central Plains such as Hebei and Sizhou.

Due to the hard work of tens of millions of people, the current Yan Kingdom has become extremely prosperous, so the trade is also very hot. The rich production and no "festival" with Yan has become the largest trading partner of Yan State, and the caravan from Chang'an is the most popular and popular in Yan State.

"Chang Shun Xing" is one of the many businesses in Longcheng that should not be underestimated. The shopkeeper's name is Chu Ming. It is said that he is a well-known figure, and his relationship with Murong Ping, an important minister of the Yan State, and many prominent families, is not trivial, and he has very good communication with Guan Long and Jiangzuo merchants. There are often unusual and rare goods and in-demand goods for sale. Therefore, "Changshunxing" has done a lot of business in Yanguo, not only Longcheng has a general number, but also Xiangping (now Liaoyang, Liaoning), Changli (now Yixian, Liaoning) and even Jicheng have a semicolon.

The caravan that had just entered the city went straight to "Chang Shun Xing" and immediately surrounded the backyard of "Chang Shun Xing". Chu Ming, who heard the news, hurriedly walked out, and at a glance saw a man at the head of the caravan. The man was wearing a gray robe and a long robe, about thirty years old, his face was full of beard, his face was dusty and tired, but his eyes were full of determination.

"It turned out that the shopkeeper Dong personally delivered the goods! What a rarity! Rare! Chu Ming arched his hand and said in a deep voice, but from his slightly trembling hands, it could be seen that this famous Yan country's great businessman was trying his best to suppress his excitement.

"Boss Chu, we're meeting again." Although the caravan leader known as the shopkeeper of Dong was also excited, he seemed much calmer.

Chu Ming turned his head and instructed the guys, asking them to immediately unload the goods with the caravan, accept them neatly, and then send them to the warehouse. After finishing speaking, Chu Ming hurriedly led Shopkeeper Dong into the inner courtyard, and finally walked into a house that looked ordinary. Before entering the house, Chu Ming and Dong shopkeeper respectively glanced at the entourage behind them, and dozens of people immediately dispersed tacitly, standing in different positions, faintly surrounding the room tightly.

"Brother Lu Pu!" After entering the house, Chu Ming immediately shouted.

"Brother Yongnian!" Shopkeeper Dong replied immediately, and his voice was full of affection.

"Brother Lu Pu, you and I say goodbye to Nanzheng, I'm afraid we haven't seen each other for two years, right?" Chu Ming took the hand of the shopkeeper and said with a sigh as he sat down.

"Yes, Brother Yongnian, it's been two years and ten months. If it weren't for the heavy responsibility to come to Yan Country this time, I don't know how many years we would miss each other? It's just that I didn't expect Brother Yongnian to become a big businessman! After taking a seat, Dong said.

"You don't look like a big businessman, you're really making people!" Chu Ming continued to sigh.

"It's not about making people up, it's about being born in troubled times, and it's like that. If you and I hadn't met the military master, there would have been no Chu Ming and Dong Shi in this world. Dong Zhi said in a low voice.

"Yes, back then, you and I fled south from the Shangdang in fear, and almost broke our families along the way, if we hadn't met the military master, I wouldn't have turned into a handful of mud long ago." Chu Ming couldn't help but sigh leisurely, "By the way, how about my family's Jing Zhuo and those two boys?" ”

"My sister-in-law and my two nephews live with my family and two children, and the government sends money and food in the name of military families every month, and there is absolutely no worry about food and clothing. And the two nephews and my boys

Chang'an Dongcheng School, I went to see them before I came to Yanguo last month, and there should be no problem in entering Chang'an University Hall in the future. ”

"That's good! That's good! That's good! Chu Ming said it three times in a row, and his expression was full of relief.

The two of them pondered for a moment in the sunlight cast through the window. Chu Ming suddenly spoke: "Okay, it's time to get down to business." What is the important task of Brother Lu Pu coming this time? ”

"I'm here for two main reasons." Dong Shi also replied, "One, try to understand the information of Yan Guo, and then bring it back to Chang'an; Second, I hope to cooperate with you to make Murong Jun emperor as soon as possible. ”

"The situation in Yan has not changed much at the moment. In the north, there are Murong Xianbei's own department and the Duan family, Yuwen Xianbei branch out of the Curi Xi and Khitan to shepherd the Bohai Sea horses. Bohai seahorses are all free-range, broad and powerful, supple and sexless. Able to withstand wind and cold. Endure hardships and do not scream. Up and down the cliff wall like flying, thousands of miles to lift electricity, and I Guan Long Qinghai good horse has its own merits. Chu Ming said slowly, "There are millions of people in the south who are dependent on him to cultivate for him, and he is very rich. And it has no less than 200,000 soldiers and armor, and since occupying Youzhou Jicheng, the Murong clan of Yan State is very encouraged. Most of the troops have been moved there, and they are only waiting for a good time to move south again. ”

"Murong Jun, the lord of Yan, is eight feet two inches long, with a burly appearance, a broad view of books, and a literary and military strategy. His grandfather, the former Yan lord Murong Diao, often said, I accumulate blessings and benevolence, and my descendants should have the Central Plains. Later, Murong Jun was born, and Murong Dian sighed. The bones are not constant here. My family got it. And Murong Jun's left and right ministers, the most notable are his fourth brothers, Murong Ke and Yang Qi. Murong Ke is eight feet seven inches long, with a burly appearance, majestic and serious. Young and cautious, Shen Shen is generous, and knows how to fight. Before his death, Murong Hao, the former lord of Yan, said to Murong Jun that the Central Plains is not the same, and Fang Jian is a big thing, and he is wise and brave, and you are entrusted with it. ”

"Yangqi, the word Shiqiu, the right Beiping has no end. Father Yang Tan, Murong Xianbei when he was in the office, and the official was the captain of Dongyi. Yang Shaoqing is studious and knows Shen Yuan. At first, he was the assassin of Pingzhou, and repeatedly offered the art of Anbang to strengthen the country, and his strategy was mostly accepted, and Murong Diao was very surprised. After Murong Hao took the throne, he moved him to Zuo Changshi. After that, the east and west were conquered, and the staff officers were in charge. Murong Hao also said on his deathbed that Murong Jun said that Yang Shiqiu was loyal and honest, and he could be entrusted with big things, and you would treat him well. Murong Jun occupies Youzhou, the Central Plains, and his victory is only inferior to Murong Ke. ”

After Murong Jun became the heir, the two of them were appointed personally and entrusted with important positions. But Murong Jun's most trusted person in his heart was not these two people, but the auxiliary general Murong Ping. Murong Ping is the younger brother of the ancestor Murong Haodi, although he is not slightly talented, but he is good at observing people's minds and meeting the drill camp, so he is known as Murong Jundi's trust and favor, and he is ranked among the three assistants. Murong Ping is the most greedy, I just used rare and exotic goods to offer him, so I got his friendship and protection. Chu Ming smiled bitterly, "According to the information I have obtained, Murong Jun is ready to take advantage of the melee between Xiangguo and Cheng, and is ready to continue to attack Jizhou, and the deployment has come out, Murong will attack Zhongshan and pass through Jizhou in the west; Murong Ping attacked Lukou and continued to attack Wang Wu. ”

It seems that Chu Ming has really not been in vain in the past few years in Yan Kingdom, and the information he got is all high-level, which is not the same thing as what he hears on the streets and alleys.

"From this point of view, this Murong Yan Kingdom has been plotting for a long time in the Central Plains." Dong Zhi thought for a while and said.

"Yes, I originally thought that the organization would send us to this Yan country in the corner of Liaodong because there was nothing to do, but now it seems that it is really far-sighted. This Yan State should now be the biggest threat to the Central Plains, and Wei and Zhao have already beaten the poor people of the country and are exhausted. And the Yan Kingdom secretly conquered the four yi, recruited the people, and recuperated for many years, once the time is ripe, I am afraid that it will be a thunderous blow and sweep the Central Plains. Chu Ming said anxiously.

"The military master and the above have their own plans, and we just need to do a good job of doing our job." Xun Shi reminded Chu Ming, and Chu Ming immediately understood, and hurriedly continued: "As for this matter of urging Yan Lord Murong Jun to become emperor, I have secretly dispatched people a few months ago, first buried more than a dozen auspicious rui, and then spread it in the countryside. Now Yan Guoyou and Pingzhou have long been full of people, saying that Lord Yan has obtained the mandate of heaven and is the lord of the world. The month before last, I sent someone to buy a lot of money to buy the servants in the Longcheng Palace, secretly placed the bird's nest under the west eaves of the Zhengyang Palace, and added three more swallow chicks, and there were vertical hairs on their necks; Then send people to sacrifice strange birds in the city, and the feathers are colorful. ”

"After Murong Jun heard the report, he asked the ministers with these two auspicious things, I have already sent someone to hint at an official and say, Yan Bird, Yu Yan Ye. The first person with a hairy crown, said that the big Yan Longxing, and the crown of the sky is also the image of Zhangfu. The west eaves of the nest are said to be the signs of the Supreme Linxuan Dynasty and all nations. The three sons should be counted according to the test of the three unifications. The five colors of the sacred bird, the holy dynasty will follow the five elements to control the four seas. Murong Jun was overjoyed, and the ministers took advantage of the situation to ascend to the title, but Murong Jun was silent for a long time and finally replied that I, Murong Xianbei, was born in Mobei, Youzhou, and I was a herding and hunting barbarian who was sent to the left, how did I get to the throne? In the end, it was not allowed. ”

Hear here. Xun Shi couldn't help frowning: "This Murong Jun actually doesn't have the idea of becoming an emperor at all?" ”

Chu Ming smiled and replied: "Otherwise, in March this year, the Wei lord Ran Min besieged Xiangguo for 100 days, and the situation was urgent. Zhao lord Shi Yuan went to the emperor, sent Taiwei Zhang Ju to Longcheng for help, and promised that if Yan sent troops to aid Zhao, Shi Yuan was willing to pass on the jade seal of the country to Yan. Murong Jun was overjoyed when he heard this, and immediately prepared to send troops. But later, Ran Min, the lord of Wei, also sent Da Sima to engage in Zhonglang Chang Wei to make Yan. After Murong Jun asked a few words, he directly asked where was the jade seal of Chuanguo? Chang Wei said in the city. And Zhang Ju insisted on Xiangguo. Murong Jun hesitated. In the end, he sent the general Yue to lead 30,000 soldiers and horses to save Xiangguo. In the end, the news came that it was really as Chang Wei said, and the jade seal of the country was not in Xiangguo but in the city. Murong Jun was furious, killed Zhang Ju and treated Chang Wei well. ”

Hearing this, Dong Shi couldn't help but laugh softly: "In this way, it seems that this Murong Jun doesn't want to be the emperor, but he is worried that he is from a barbarian background, and he will be ridiculed if he rashly claims to be the emperor." But since he has this heart, we can do it. ”

In the next

Village. Xun was in the dark, Chu Ming was in the light, and began to move around, and a large number of Guanlong rare and exotic goods that had just been shipped were either offered or sold cheaply, and they flowed into the mansions of Murong Ping, Zhang Xi, Song Huo, Han Heng and other important ministers of the Yan Kingdom, and even flowed into the palace of the princess Kezuhun clan. When Chu Ming's name became more and more praised among the relatives and nobles of the Yan Kingdom, the voices of the court and the opposition asking the Yan King to be the emperor became higher and higher, and all kinds of auspicious and rumors poured into the Dragon City Palace like a tide. Surrounded Murong Jun, who was still silent.

August. Zhao rebelled against Liu Xian and sent Shi Yuan's father and son to the city, and the news of the destruction of Northern Zhao finally reached Longcheng. Chu Ming and Xun Zhi, who had been busy, were overjoyed in their hearts, knowing that the opportunity had finally arrived.

At the beginning of September, a jade plate was excavated and found by a common man in the Great Thorn City, and it was found that there was "years in Shenyou, endless like a line." The age is in the son, and the real person is seen. "Ancient seals.

The jade plate was sent to Dragon City, and the ministers of the Yan Kingdom were shocked, because the place where this jade plate was unearthed was too magical, and the Great Thorn City was the place where Murong Xianbei made his fortune, and the ancestor Murong Hao was called the King of Yan there. And a passage on this jade plate just corresponds to the meaning of Yan Dynasty Zhao entering the Central Plains. So the ministers wrote to Murong Jun one after another, asking him to be the emperor. Murong Jun was even more hesitant in his heart, but this time he was more eager to be the emperor than ever.

Murong Ke and Yang Qi persuaded: "Today, the Yan Kingdom only collects the two states of Youyou and Ping, if you rashly claim the emperor, I am afraid that the world will laugh at it, and the people of the Central Plains will abandon it." Hearing this, Murong Jun's heart that was about to be called emperor was cold again.

Hearing the news, Chu Ming hurriedly packed a bag of treasures and entered Murong Ping's mansion overnight, after two years of "making friends", Murong Ping had long regarded Chu Ming as his own.

"My lord, I heard that the court is urging the king to be the emperor!" Chu Ming said "inadvertently" when Murong Ping stared at a Nanzheng glass bottle.

"Yes," Murong Ping knew that Chu Ming usually went in and out of the noble mansion, and this matter was not a secret, so he replied casually, "The ministers all want the king to be the emperor, but the fourth and Mr. Yang don't agree, so the king can't make up his mind." ”

Chu Ming hurriedly said: "I heard that the Great Thorn City has come out of Xiangrui, and the Mandate of Heaven has granted me Dayan, why should the king hesitate?" ”

"Yes, that's the reason, but the king's mind is not easy to guess!"

"Adults, from a small point of view, this is an opportunity for adults." After a pause, Chu Ming said cautiously.

Murong Ping's heart moved, his eyes rolled, and he deliberately asked casually, "How to say it?" ”

"My lord, when the king succeeded to the throne, he made him one of the three assistants. But from a small point of view, in terms of the talent, prestige and seniority of adults, it should be the first assistant to be right, not something side by side. "Chu Ming will take a sycophant first.

"Don't say that, Mr. Heyang's talent is far above me!" Although Murong Ping replied humbly, the look of deep thought on his face had long been seen by Chu Ming.

"My lord, it is a great thing that the king is called the emperor, and it is a matter that conforms to the destiny of heaven and earth, and it cannot be delayed. According to Xiaomin, this auspicious rui will not come out sooner or later, and it will come out when the Zhao State is destroyed, what does this mean? This means that my Dayan is the mandate of heaven to enter the Central Plains on behalf of Northern Zhao. Now that the Zhao State has been destroyed, the Central Plains has no owner, and the King of Yan is not the emperor, it is Ran Min who gave up the righteousness of the Mandate of Heaven to the Wei State. Once a long time passes, the hearts of the people of the Central Plains return to the Wei State, and I am afraid that it will be difficult for my Dayan to comply with the mandate of heaven. As the old saying goes, if the name is not right, it is not good, if I am not the emperor of Yan, how can I crusade against Wei and enter the Central Plains? ”

Speaking of this, Chu Ming's eyes lit up when he saw Murong Pingdi, and he couldn't help but continue: "Your Excellency should persuade the Great King to obey the Mandate of Heaven and become the emperor as soon as possible, this is a great benefit to Yan Guo and your lord!" ”

Murong Ping shook his head and smiled, pretending to be relaxed: "The king said that the emperor is a matter of great cause for me to be great, I just follow the mandate of heaven to write a book, and I don't care about what is good or not." ”

Chu Ming hurriedly lowered his head and said, "Adults are open-minded, regardless of fame and fortune, this is a well-known thing. But the little stupid ones have also heard of the merits of support. ”

Hearing this, Murong Ping's eyes couldn't help but spew out a fire, and he sat there silent.

Chu Ming took a look and knew that today's purpose had been achieved.

Within a few days, Murong Ping, Feng Yi, Zhang Xi, Song Huo, Han Heng and other important ministers jointly wrote to Murong Jun to be honored, and the princess Ke Zuhun was also in the harem to ask Murong Jun to obey the mandate of heaven.

This time, Murong Jun gladly accepted the mandate of heaven, and in October, Ding Mao usurped the throne of the emperor, granted amnesty to the territory, built Yuan Yuanyu, and appointed a hundred officials. With Feng Yi as the captain, Murong as Situ, Murong Ke as the servant, Yang as the Shangshu Ling, Huangfu Zhen as the left servant of the Shangshu, Zhang Xi as the right servant of the Shangshu, Song Huo as the Zhongshu supervisor, Han Heng as the Zhongshu Ling, and the rest of the titles are different. Posthumously honored Murong Diao as Emperor Gaozu Wuxuan, and Murong Hao as Emperor Taizu Civilization. Built to stay in Longdu, with Xuantai Shouyi as the book, the special commission to stay in the affairs. In November, Gengzi, Murong Junli, the princess Kezu Hun was the queen, and the prince was the crown prince, all of whom moved from Longcheng to Jicheng Palace.

Chu Ming and Dong Zhi watched their men busy in and out of "Chang Shun Xing", Yan Guo moved its capital, and the "Chang Shun Xing" general number also had to move away, and Dong Shi also wanted to return to Guanlong, ready to bring in another batch of good things for the relatives and nobles of Yan State.

"Brother Lu Pu, why do you say that Chang'an is so desperate for King Yan to be the emperor?" Chu Ming asked quietly.

"Brother Yongnian, this is not something we can guess." Dong Shi shook his head and replied in a low voice.

"It's been a long time since I've heard from the military master sending troops." After being silent for a long time, Chu Ming looked at the south and whispered leisurely.

"I'm afraid the world will be shocked again!" Dong Shi nodded and replied in a low voice.