Chen Shaoyou, the governor of Shu County, is nearly 60 years old. During his decades of official career, he was capable in his work, good at governing, and liked to make friends with powerful people, so he was promoted repeatedly. However, he made a lot of money and had a bad reputation among the people. Therefore, although he was a member of Cui Dang, he was not favored by Cui Dang and could not become the backbone of Cui Dang. After Cui Dang fell, Chen Shaoyou saw everyone joining Pei Jun. Thinking that there was no place to enjoy the shade under the big tree, he bet an unpopular person and defected to Cui Xiaofu, and became Cui Xiaofu's confidant in one step.

Chen Shaoyou heard that Zhang Huan had returned to Longyou in the past two days, and he was quite frightened. The reason was of course the memorial to ask for the land. He had been an official for decades, so how could he not understand the principle of being an official under a roof? According to his original intention, he would definitely not do such stupid things that would destroy his future. However, he dared not refuse to obey Cui Xiaofu's will. He finally knew what Cui Xiaofu's real intention was to regard him as his confidant. He actually took a fancy to his identity as the governor of Shu County and used him to ignite in Zhang Huan's backyard.

If he knew that Zhang Huan would come back before the end of the year, he would rather offend Cui Xiaofu than submit this memorial. Of course, he understood what the uninhabited land in Shu meant to Zhang Huan, and what it meant to him when he dug Zhang Huan's corner, but the matter had been done, and he could only deal with it to the end. It depends on whether Cui Xiaofu could protect him.

At this moment, Chen Shaoyou was on his way back to Beijing. On the one hand, he received an imperial edict from Cui Xiaofu. He went to the capital to explain in detail the situation of the uninhabited land in Shu to the court. On the other hand, he also wanted to find his former connections and prepare some more ways for himself.

"There is Fengxiang City in front of the master." The follower's report interrupted his thoughts. Chen Shaoyou opened the curtain and looked into the distance. The towering walls of Fengxiang City were vaguely visible in the morning mist. It was the coldest day of the year. The trees withered, the rivers were frozen, and the wilderness was bleak. Although the weather was cold, a warm feeling surged in Chen Shaoyou's heart. Arriving in Fengxiang means that he was about to enter the foot of the emperor, which means that he had left the core area controlled by Zhang Huan. On the mountain road in Hanzhong, he had been unable to sleep all night, fearing that he was killed by the people sent by Zhang Huan. Although Fengxiang was also a place controlled by Zhang Huan, when Chen Shaoyou knew that if Zhang Huan wanted to kill him, he would have taken action in Hanzhong. There were only people staring at him along the way, but now, all nightmares have passed.

"Enter the city quickly!" Chen Shaoyou's dry face finally showed a hint of excitement. He wanted to have a good meal and have a good sleep.

Suddenly, a follower pointed at the back and said in a panic: "Empress, look at the back."

Seeing his expression of panic, Chen Shaoyou couldn't help but look back, but his heart suddenly sank, as if he was stepping on the air. He saw dust on the official road behind him, and a large army was driving towards this side several miles away.

"Empress, what should I do?" More than a dozen followers were panicked.

"Don't panic! Don't panic!" Chen Shaoyou comforted everyone repeatedly and said, "If he wants to kill me, there is no need to mobilize all the troops like this."

As soon as he finished speaking, a team of cavalry rushed over and blocked Chen Shaoyou and the others' way. One of the officers came forward and saluted, "Is this the carriage of the governor Chen of Shu County?"

Chen Shaoyou was anxious, and he forced a smile and said, "I'm right, what's the matter with me?"

The officer politely bowed and said, "My governor heard that Governor Chen is here, please see me."

"Is it Zhang Shangshu?" Chen Shaoyou's scalp tingled. It was really a narrow road for enemies. He actually met Zhang Huan here.

"It's my governor."

Although Chen Shaoyou complained in his heart, he looked happy. He pretended to be an old official and laughed: "I didn't expect to meet Zhang Shangshu here. I will meet you everywhere in life. Let me see you quickly."

The officer smiled slightly and waved his hand, "Please please, governor Chen!"

Of course, Zhang Huan did not come to Fengxiang to block Chen Shaoyou. It was just a coincidence that he received an urgent case from Pei Jun to urge the cabinet meeting for the war between Cui Qinggong and Wei Deqing. Zhang Huan had never attended a meeting since he entered this cabinet. He was a little interested and brought his family to Chang'an.

This time he brought 3,000 people into Beijing, but not long after he returned from Anxi, his 30,000 elite troops had quietly entered various important cities east of Fengxiang and west of Chang'an. This was actually a process of confirming the unspoken rules. Pei Jun's Qianniu Guard was stationed east of Chang'an, and the Cui family had faded out of core politics. As the second strongest person in the three-legged race, it was reasonable for his army to replace the Jinwu Guard. Therefore, the 30,000 Longyou Army was naturally calm when it entered Guanzhong, just like the spring rain sneaking into the night.

Zhang Huan did not ride a carriage. In the long carriage convoy, women and children were sitting on the horse. He rode on the horse, enjoying the cold wind and sunshine in the morning, as well as the warm and humid air in Guanzhong. In the private words of his wife, his face was like scorched cowhide in the desert.

"Report to the Governor, Governor Chen brings you here." The personal soldiers reported loudly and brought an old and simple carriage. From a distance, Chen Shaoyou came out of the carriage and bowed respectfully to Zhang Huan.

"Chen Shaoyou, the governor of Shu County, please see Shangshu Zhang!"

If we only talk about the position, Chen Shaoyou was the governor of Shangzhou, who was the third rank, and Zhang Huan was the third rank minister of the Ministry of War. The two were only half a rank, but Zhang Huan's title was the first rank Zhangye County Prince, and the scattered officials were also the first rank general of the cavalry. Chen Shaoyou had served as the Zhejiang East Observer and was named the crown prince's young tutor. From the second rank, the two were still only one rank, not to mention that Chen Shaoyou had been an official for decades, but in the face of strength, any title and identity became an illusory thing.

Although the local officials in Shu were appointed by the court, most of them were recommended by the Longyou Jiedushi in the name of Zhang Huan. They were just labeled as the appointment of the Ministry of Personnel. Chen Shaoyou is one of the special cases that most of them missed. It is a symbol of Shu's still under the jurisdiction of the central court. On the one hand, there are 30,000 permanent troops in Shu County. What can Chen Shaoyou do?

Zhang Huan glanced at the bold governor who wanted to present hundreds of thousands of acres of unowned land in Shu County to the court as his official fields. He smiled faintly and said, "Governor Chen went to Beijing thousands of miles away, but he rode in such a simple carriage. He deserved to be an honest official. I am disrespectful."

Chen Shaoyou's old face turned red. He took the car to cover up his identity. He was famous in the past, and no one knew that Zhang Huan was mocking him!

"I dare not be humble. I came from Hanzhong, and there were many bandits along the way. I dare not be careless."

Zhang Huan sneered, "I don't think there are any bandits in Hanzhong, but Governor Chen has a bandit in his heart."

Chen Shaoyou's heart was pounding, but he still said with a tough bullet: "I don't understand the governor's meaning."

Zhang Huan laughed to the sky, making Chen Shaoyou tremble in fear. Suddenly, Zhang Huan's laughter subsided and his tone became gentle. "I also went to Beijing to report my work. It is worse than us to travel with us. On the one hand, it can protect the safety of governor Chen. On the other hand, I also casually ask about the people's livelihood of Shu County. Does governor Chen think I'm terrified?"

"I dare not, the Minister of State has an order, how dare I not obey the humble position?"

Zhang Huan waved his hand and the army continued to travel east, and did not stop in Fengxiang City, and went straight to Chang'an. Along the way, Zhang Huan asked about the people's livelihood and conditions of Shu County, such as the population of Shu County, how much tax does Yiding family have? He asked whether the garrison had disturbed the place, etc., but he never mentioned the word "land", which made Chen Shaoyou feel restless, suspicious all the way, and couldn't sleep or eat. He arrived in Chang'an two days later, and he was like he had just recovered from a serious illness.

At noon that day, the team passed Sanqiao Town and finally saw the majestic Chang'an city wall. Chen Shaoyou, who was in a depressed spirit, could no longer help but bow to Zhang Huan, "I thank you for your care along the way. I have arrived in Chang'an. I have to rush to report to the Secretariat, so I have to take a step forward."

Zhang Huan smiled slightly and nodded, "I benefited a lot from governor Chen along the way. Since I arrived in Chang'an, governor Chen would do his own thing."

Hearing this sentence, Chen Shaoyou was like Sun Wukong jumping out of the Five Elements Mountain, his whole body was as light as feathers. He didn't dare to be polite anymore. He gave a polite gift and hurried away. Zhang Huan looked at his back and walked away. With a cold smile, he turned to a personal soldier and said, "Go and tell the Internal Affairs Department, be sure to keep an eye on this person's every move and report to me at any time."

At this time, Ya general Li Dingfang rushed from behind and bowed to Zhang Huan and said, "Governor, please invite me!"

Zhang Huan immediately turned his head and came to the convoy. Pei Ying opened the curtain and smiled at Zhang Huan: "Have you finally let the governor Chen go?"

"It's okay if he leaves, I'm really annoyed." Zhang Huan smiled. He leaned his head and looked inside the car and asked again, "Why are the children not moving?"

Pei Ying turned around and sighed, and said helplessly: "The two little guys rode their horses all morning and were so tired that they were already sleeping like pigs now."

Zhang Huan nodded and asked, "What's the matter with me, Madam?"

Pei Ying pointed to Cui Ning behind and smiled: "Yesterday we heard in Xianyang that this year's polo competition was postponed to February next year. Are you interested in organizing a team to participate?"

"What, are you also polo fans?" Zhang Huan asked with interest: "Why have I never heard you talk about this?"

"How many people in Chang'an are not polo fans, how can we be exceptional? I just follow you and will you have a chance."

Pei Ying looked at Zhang Huan with a pair of wonderful eyes and said with a smile: "How about it? Anyway, if you have ready-made cavalry, just organize a team that will encourage us."

Zhang Huan's heart moved. The polo game was an excellent opportunity to communicate and communicate. He nodded and turned to ask Li Dingfang next to him and smiled, "Are you interested in this?"

Li Dingfang is also from Chang'an. He is still a member of the royal family. He has loved polo since he was a child. Before joining the army, he was a master of polo. Yesterday, he learned about the postponement of the polo competition in Xianyang, so he found an opportunity to tell his wife. Seeing the governor nodding, he was so happy that he was about to explode and nodded repeatedly: "Please don't worry, the governor, we have the horses that are big and the cavalry that are the best in the war in the Tang Dynasty. It is definitely no problem. I am willing to accept this order!"

"Okay, let's leave this to you."

After Zhang Huan said that, he looked at Chang'an City again and said to Pei Ying: "I guess my father-in-law will come out of the city to greet him, so I will go ahead first to avoid being rude."

"Go!" Pei Ying smiled and pulled up the curtain of the car.

As Zhang Huan expected, after Pei Jun sent people to Zhang Huan urgently, he sent people to pay attention every day. When Zhang Huan arrived in Xianyang yesterday, he received news and brought more than a dozen important officials out of the city to greet him early in the morning.

Unlike Zhang Huan's return to Longyou month ago, Zhang Huan's trip to Beijing did not go triumphantly, but went to Beijing to discuss state affairs. But more importantly, Cui Xiaofu did not want Zhang Huan to be too popular, so she did not agree to hold a formal welcome ceremony. If officials want to welcome him, they will listen to him. It is only a personal act and has nothing to do with the court.

But Pei Jun must make a gesture to show his importance to Anxi. In addition to Pei Jun, Chu Xingshui, Cui Yu, Lu Qi, Pei You and other important officials, many members of the Zhang Party, such as Zhang Potian, Yuan Zai, Yang Yan, Zhang Yanshang, etc., were also invited to welcome him outside the city. Not only that, hundreds of middle and low-level officials who were willing to join the Zhang Party also spontaneously rushed outside the city.

"Here! Come!" The officials saw the dust flying from afar. Everyone rushed up to the official road impatiently. The officials at the bottom were even dressed up, which left a good impression on the Shangshu.

At this time, a fast horse rushed over, and the guard dismounted and reported to Pei Jun: "You reported to the Prime Minister, Zhang Shangshu has arrived two miles away."

Pei Jun smiled and turned around and said to everyone: "You guys, our Anxi hero is finally back. Listen to me today and be sure to get him drunk."

Zhang Huan's army stopped a mile away. He slowly rode his horse under the escort of more than a dozen personal guards. Zhang Huan saw Pei Jun from a distance. He turned over and dismounted, greeted Pei Junshen with a smile, "Longyou Jiedushi Zhang Huan, the governor of Longyou, met the right prime minister, and let the right prime minister wait for a long time."

Pei Jun looked at his son-in-law. Seeing that he had been back for nearly a month, the dust on his face had not completely disappeared. You can imagine the hardships of his transition to Anxi. He couldn't help but feel a little moved, so he quickly helped him up and said, "I have made great contributions to the country to recover Anxi. I should have saluted me. The court should have held a grand welcome ceremony for you, but the Queen Mother was unwilling to disturb the people, so I asked you to take on it more."

Zhang Huan shook his head and said, "Zhang Huan dares not. It is my duty to serve the country. Unfortunately, I am far away in Anxi and have not been able to come back to see off the late emperor. I feel extremely regretful. I will go to the ancestral temple to comfort the late emperor's spiritual throne tomorrow."

Pei Jun's heart suddenly jumped, trying to persuade him not to act rashly, but he couldn't find a reason. At this time, Chu Xingshui next to him sighed and said, "The late emperor is most concerned about the battle situation in Anxi. He stops in front of the Anxi map every day, and takes away his illness and recovers Anxi. He should go to his spirit to comfort him."

Seeing the two of them singing and reconciling, Pei Jun sighed secretly, and then smiled reluctantly and said to everyone: "Shangshu Zhang is tired all the way, so we won't disturb you. Everyone will give you a glass of wine, even if it's a welcome to him."

"Get wine!"

Several attendants brought plates filled with wine cups and wine pots. Pei Jun poured a glass of wine and handed them to Zhang Huan, "You and I are the father-in-law and son-in-law, but we are also important officials of the court in the same palace. I hope you will continue to put state affairs first and protect the long-term stability of the Tang Dynasty."

Zhang Huan was speechless and took the wine glass and drank it all. At this time, Chu Xingshui also brought a glass of wine and sighed slightly: "We originally joked that we would get you drunk, but now I think we should toast you two glasses of wine. One is to toast you to recover Anxi for the Tang Dynasty, and the other is to toast those soldiers who died in the battle for the Tang Dynasty. You can drink it for them!"

Zhang Huan was solemn. He took the wine glass, drank it all in two consecutive cups, and whispered to Chuxing Waterway: "The Central Plains are going to be in chaos. I am worried that it will affect Guangling. I have ordered tens of thousands of troops to station in Guangling, and my uncle must also rush back as soon as possible."

Chu Xingshui was shocked. He glanced at Pei Jun behind him, then nodded gratefully to Zhang Huan, and stepped back. The next one came up was the left prime minister Cui Yu. He also picked up a glass of wine and handed it to Zhang Huan and said, "The old prime minister Cui has always regretted that he failed to take back Anxi and Beiting during his tenure. He got sick and fulfilled this wish for him. He specially ordered me to toast you for him. This glass of wine is his wish."

Zhang Huan took the wine glass and asked in a low voice: "Where is Mr. Cui now?"

Cui Yu also whispered: "He just arrived from Shandong the day before yesterday."

Zhang Huan nodded, and the two of them smiled knowingly. Zhang Huan drank all the wine again. Then everyone persuaded them to drink. He drank dozens of glasses in a row. He couldn't help but cheerfully raised a big glass to stand in the distance. The officials who came to greet him whispered: "You are here to welcome you. Zhang Huan has received it. It's a pity that I can't toast them one by one. I'll drink this glass to thank you for your kindness!"

He picked up the big glass, gulp!’ and drank it all in one breath, shouted happily, threw the wine glass, clasped his fists at everyone and said, “Zhang Huan is unable to bear the power of drinking, so he has to take a step first.”

The officials standing in the distance burst into applause, and Yuan Zai said loudly: "We are willing to take Shangshu Zhang as a model and serve the Tang Dynasty!"
Chapter completed!