Chapter 361: Putting down your weapon

Shangdang County in Hedong is close to Ye County on Hebei Road. It travels east along the Zhuozhang River. It takes about 300 miles to reach Anyang County, the prefecture of Ye County. Anyang County is the location of the Pei family. It is also the economic and cultural center of the entire Hebei Road, with a population of more than 90,000 households and nearly 500,000 people.

The buildings in ancient times were different from the present. There was no skyscraper that accommodated thousands of people. Most of them were bungalows, and most of them were mansions above the middle class. In addition, the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty was grand, with a large and powerful family mansions covering an area of ​​dozens of hectares or even hundreds of hectares. Therefore, the city size of Chang'an, a city with a population of millions is greater than that of many large cities with a population of millions today.

The same is true in Anyang. The prosperity was created by a population of 500,000. With the escort of the Pei family, seven or eight out of ten wealthy families on Hebei Road lived here. However, at this time, Anyang City was in chaos. The news of the defeat of the Hebei army had been confirmed by the endless stream of defeated soldiers. The rich families packed their fine lines and prepared to flee to Hedong or Shandong. Convoys of carriages loaded with money and women could be seen passing by quickly on the streets, but soon the wind of escape subsided.

There are rumors that a certain family in Chengnan was looted by defeated soldiers on the way to escape, and their money and women were stolen, and even their lives were lost. However, the reason why the situation was really stabilized was that the Longyou army entered Hebei and had intercepted the invading Hu people north of Handan. After all, the escape was heavy. Since the Longyou Army arrived, and I heard that the world-famous Anxi Army was coming, this stabilized the Anyang people. As for what impact the Longyou Army would have on the Pei family, this was not what their ordinary people were considering.

Early in the morning, Pei You patrolled the streets accompanied by dozens of guards. At present, there are more than 40,000 troops in Anyang City, with sufficient food and a tall and strong city, so he was not worried that the city would be attacked by the Uighurs. Despite this, Pei You's mood was never as depressed as today. The death of his elder brother was like a broken beam, causing the Pei family to fall from the peak of power overnight. The invasion of foreign races was even worse, completely blowing out the Pei family was about to rekindle the fire of the family. Since the Longyou Army entered Hebei in large numbers, Pei You knew that the glory of the Pei family had ended.

Pei You is fifty-five years old today. He is Pei Jun's younger brother, but his appearance is very different from Pei Jun. Not only is he relatively thin, but he also lacks the romantic temperament of Pei Jun. He is more like a occupant, with a shrewd businessman spirit all over his body. He was transferred to the court ten years ago as the governor of Wei County and serves as the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Revenue. He is now the Minister of Personnel, and has always held the financial and personnel power of the court.

Although this return to Hebei will affect the affairs of the court, he is the second largest figure in the Pei family after all. When the Pei family encountered a crisis that had not encountered in decades, he could only take care of the interests of the family first.

The Pei family was patrolling the streets aimlessly. A few days ago, the situation where people shouted and neighed, and the crowds were crowded with panic everywhere was gone. The streets seemed deserted, and several famous restaurants were closed. Occasionally, a few pedestrians hurriedly walked along the wall, carrying a little rice and grain in their hands.

Pei You walked around and felt very disappointed in his heart, so he waved his hand and said, "Everyone, go back!"

Suddenly, a hurried sound of horse hooves came from behind him. Pei You turned around in surprise and saw a cavalry flying from the city gate. When he got closer, he jumped off his horse and reported loudly: "Report to the Minister of War Zhang Huan, Secretary of War Zhang Huan, has led more than 20,000 troops to ten miles away. He ordered people to report to him, wanting to see the Minister of War."

Pei You was shocked. Why didn’t Zhang Huan return to Beijing? He came to his Ye County. But after a second thought, he immediately understood. He pondered for a moment and said to his eldest son Pei Mingli, "You go and invite Shangshu Zhang to our mansion for your father. Remember! It is related to the future of our Pei family. You must not neglect him. Then tell Pei Tanming that you must not send troops to stop him. He can do as much military entourage as he wants."

After repeated instructions, Pei You turned around and returned to the mansion first. At this time, outside the north city gate, a large army was already visible from afar, with flags waving and arrays surging like ink clouds.

Zhang Huan rode on a huge food warrior horse with a divine horse. He was looking at the towering Anyang City from a distance, and it stretched to more than ten miles away. Except for Chang'an City and Luoyang City, he had never seen a city that surpassed its size. Zhang Huan couldn't help but shook his head and exclaimed: "What a great city!"

Li Mi next to him also stroked his beard and sighed slightly: "This is the foundation of Yuan Shao in the late Han Dynasty. He laid an excellent foundation. More than 20 years ago, An Qingxu established his capital here and increased the city. At that time, Yu Chaoen led an army of 600,000 and was defeated by the city. I tried to persuade the late emperor not to listen and to rule the eunuchs as the commander of the military commander. How could he not defeat him?"

Zhang Huan glanced at him, only smiled but didn't say anything. At this time, hundreds of cavalry galloped towards this side in the distance, and came whistling. The leader was a general with distinctive armor. Zhang Huan knew that it was Pei Danming, the intelligence chief of Pei Jun, who was the former commander of Pei Jun. He was now the commander of the Anyang army and commanded the 40,000 troops left by the Pei family in Anyang. His face was plain and expressionless. Next to him was a man in his thirties, wearing a white robe, tall, plump and handsome, with a humble smile on his face. This was Pei You's eldest son Pei Mingli, who was appointed as the magistrate of Anyang County.

When Zhang Huan and Pei Ying returned to Beijing to get married, Pei Mingli was also present and toasted him with wine, but Zhang Huan had forgotten him. But seeing his expression as a little like Pei Jun, he knew that he was also a child of the Pei family.

He urged his horse to step forward, and immediately put his fists on Zhang Huan and said, "Pei Mingli, the magistrate of Anyang County, met with Shangshu Zhang."

Zhang Huan suddenly remembered that he was Pei You's son, so he nodded slightly and smiled: "I heard from Pei Ying that she has a clan brother who writes very well, but she is just a polite."

A light word of common words eliminated the sense of urgency when the army was approaching, as if he was visiting relatives. Pei Mingli immediately had a great impression of him, and his previous humble smile disappeared, changing to a natural and casual smile. "My sister is talking slander, my words are evident, I never dared to sign, and I only use seals, so I am called "Pei Seal"."

Zhang Huan raised her head and laughed, "Mingli is really interesting!" Even Pei Danming, who looked as plain as water, couldn't help but smile. Zhang Huan's laughter gradually stopped, and he looked back and asked, "Can the second uncle be in Anyang?"

"My father is in the mansion, but he is in poor health, so he ordered me to come and greet him. Please forgive me!"

Pei Mingli bowed slightly and bowed to the court and said, "Please follow me into the city."

"please!"

The army was temporarily stationed outside Anyang City, and three thousand personal soldiers closely guarded the commander and drove into Anyang City. The Pei family's main sect mansion is located in the south of the city, covering an area of ​​about 500 hectares, and has a stronger and tall mansion wall. A five-meter-wide mansion river surrounds the mansion. Various buildings in the mansion are stacked and unfathomable, and are several times wider than the Zhang mansion in those days. Tens of thousands of Pei family members and servants live in it, just like a city in the city.

After entering Pei's house, only three hundred cavalry guards protected Zhang Huan. Under Pei Mingli's guidance, they walked along a straight road full of shade. Everyone stopped in front of a huge five-story building. The door was already open, and a row of Pei's children stood respectfully on both sides to greet him.

"Shangshu Zhang, this is the auditorium of my Pei family. My father is waiting inside. Please follow me."

As he said that, Pei Mingli led Zhang Huan into the gate and walked towards a slightly smaller building on the left. As soon as Zhang Huan walked into the gate, he suddenly heard Pei Danming whisper beside him: "Zhang Huan, the gate of the auditorium is the first time in 20 years. You must know that my Pei family has shown the greatest sincerity."

Zhang Huan glanced back at him, and smiled faintly and said, "How do you know that I don't have the greatest sincerity?"

Pei Mingli led Zhang Huan to the guest room, pushed the door open and said, "My father is waiting inside, please wait for Secretary Zhang!"

The room was not big and was arranged very simply. On the snow-white wall was a picture of Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy. Two couches were placed diagonally. There were a small number on each of the couches. On the small table was a thin-necked vase carved from a whole piece of jade. A pink and white plum blossom was blooming brightly, making the whole room full of a faint fragrance.

Zhang Huan walked into the room, Pei You, who had been waiting for a long time, stood up with a smile, "It's the first time I'm here in our Pei Mansion!"

Zhang Huan stepped forward and bowed and bowed, "Zhang Huan gave a gift to his second uncle."

"No need to be too polite, just treat it as if you are back home here." Pei You waved his hand and asked Zhang Huan to sit down. Two maids came in and served them tea and pastries.

Pei You picked up the teacup and sucked it. He picked up the corners of his eyes and quickly glanced at Zhang Huan's expression. He closed his eyelids and put it down. He sighed and said, "This time the Uighurs and Khitan jointly invaded the south, which caught us off guard. I heard from the head of the family that you reminded him, but he didn't take it to heart, so that he fell to this point today, losing his territory and humiliating the country. The reputation of our Pei family for a hundred years was destroyed. Even the head of the family was angry about it, alas!"

Zhang Huan smiled slightly and said, "Don't blame yourself. The matter is not as serious as the second uncle thinks. My 200,000 elite soldiers from Longyou have arrived in time, cut off Tuoba Qianli's return, and sweeping Hu Chief is just around the corner. Besides, the second uncle evacuated the people in time, minimizing the losses in Hebei. As long as there is nothing to do, the home can be rebuilt. So I came here this time to discuss with my second uncle the transition to the Pei family after the death of my father-in-law."

The air in the room suddenly solidified. Pei You never expected that Zhang Huan was so frank and made clear his intentions straightforward. He was a son-in-law. He had no right to interfere with the internal affairs of the Pei family, so what he was talking about was the Pei family's status in the court. Pei You suddenly started to cough violently. He quickly took the teacup and drank a few sips of tea before finally stopping the cough. Pei You gasped slightly and said, "No, the old man obviously felt his body weak and he coughed and became sick at any time."

"Master Pei is middle-aged, why are you old?" Zhang Huan's smile disappeared in an instant. His face became extremely serious. He stared at Pei You with sharp eyes and said slowly: "I think the position of right prime minister in the future of the Tang Dynasty should be the Pei family. I personally prefer Master Pei."

Pei You's back seemed to be frozen. Of course, he knew the profound meaning of the "future" that Zhang Huan refers to, that is, the Pei family is still the first in his future political layout. It is indeed because although the Pei family is defeated, the power in the court is still unmatched. But one more important reason is that Zhang Huan wanted to make a deal with the Pei family to support him in the throne.

Pei You had countless thoughts in his mind. With Zhang Huan's current strength, Cui Xiaofu's obstacle was to block the chariot. As long as he did not pursue the tragic death of Prince Yu in the transformation to seize the palace, many people in the royal family would support him in the throne. Moreover, after Cui Yuan's defeat, Cui Dang, who was once extremely powerful, scattered like a tree falling down and scattered. The lessons of the past are not far away. How confident can Pei You be to ensure that the Prime Minister and the National Party will still be united in sincerity?

Pei You was the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Revenue for five years. Accurate calculations have become one of his strengths. With his outstanding mind, he immediately calculated that Zhang Huan was the right prime minister to exchange, and the conditions he offered were not as simple as asking the Pei family to support him in the throne.

He took a deep breath and asked frankly: "Then what do you need my Pei family to do?"

Zhang Huan smiled, suddenly changed the topic and asked him: "Shilarious Minister Pei believes that Zhu Li was in chaos in Shu, Cui Qinggong was in chaos in the Central Plains, and Li Zhengji, Li Huaiguang, Wei Deqing, Li Xilie and other warlords emerged one after another?"

"This..." Pei You hesitated. He had discussed this issue with the head of the family, but when the discussion was discussed, Zhang Huan, the Longyou warlord, was put first. The head of the family once concluded that the root of the emergence of local warlords lies in the control of the army of the aristocratic families.
Chapter completed!