Standalone Northern and Southern Dynasties

Chapter 388: Northern Army General
Su Ze also secretly sighed that as his status became higher and higher, the distance between him and his old friends and subordinates became greater and greater.

Since ancient times, monarchs and their subjects have shared more hardships than wealth.

Because a person's identity is often complex and changeable.

Take Su Chao for example, he was Su Ze’s junior fellow student, his earliest follower, and his political right-hand man.

At the same time, Su Chao was also a descendant of the Wugong Su family and a member of the Guanzhong gentry.

He studied Confucianism since childhood and was also a Confucian scholar.

If Su Ze really conquered the world in the future, then Su Chao would be a meritorious official and a nobleman.

These identities determined that he would not completely follow Su Ze's position on everything, and sometimes he would even stand on the opposite side of Su Ze.

Since ancient times, emperors who have reached the pinnacle of power have always been alone and isolated.

If you want the ruler and his subjects to be able to maintain their relationship, you can't just rely on favors.

Combining kindness and severity is the long-term solution.

After all the ministers had left, Su Liang said to Su Ze:
"Mr. County, Luoyang needs to make plans early. Especially if Bingzhou takes action first, we will be in a passive position."

Su Ze nodded slightly. The fact that Su Liang could make such a suggestion showed that the authority of the court had been declining over the years. After the destruction of the Xiangzhou government troops, even the Confucian aristocratic children like the Su brothers had seen through the nature of the Luoyang court.

Su Ze looked at Su Liang. This pair of brothers were also wonderful people.

His younger brother, Su Cho, was calm and steady in character, and he always did things in an upright and honest way. Whether he was governing or offering advice, his plans were all aboveboard, and he did things step by step. Sometimes, even the ministers thought he was too pedantic.

Su Liang, on the other hand, is more creative and unscrupulous in his actions, and is more radical than his brother.

For example, when it comes to dealing with the Luoyang court, Su Ze would not discuss it with Su Chao. Instead, Su Liang could give more pertinent suggestions based on the interests of the group.

With Guanzhong pacified, any discerning person could see that the current court, like the Eastern Han court after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, had completely lost its authority.

But even the court after Dong Zhuo's rebellion still represented the orthodoxy of the dynasty.

There are too many predecessors in history who have pointed out the best way to use the emperor to command the princes.

However, the problem facing Guanzhong is that it is not just Su Ze who has such thoughts.

Erzhu Rong, who controlled Jinyang and was eyeing Bingzhou covetously, also looked at the supreme throne in Luoyang with longing eyes.

Su Ze said:

"Don't worry, Jingshun. I have arranged for an elite force to stay in Huazhou, ready to support Luoyang at any time."

When Su Ze talked about supporting Luoyang, Su Liang actually understood what he meant. This was a reserve team to prevent any changes in Luoyang. As long as the political situation changed drastically, this team could rush into Luoyang and seize political capital.

This could be the empress dowager, the emperor, a royal relative with royal blood, the imperial seal representing royal legitimacy, or even just an imperial edict.

Su Liang was not reassured by this army, but instead reminded:

"My Lord, it only takes ten days to get from Jinyang to Luoyang by fast horse. Even if Tongguan is closer, I'm afraid it will be too late if there is a riot."

Su Ze nodded slightly and said:

"Invesco's thoughts are very correct. The most important thing now is that city."

Su Liang knew all the important towns and passes near Luoyang. He immediately understood what Su Ze meant and asked:
"The Lord is talking about North Central City?"

"The one who knows me is Invesco, and that's right!"

Beizhong City, this city was built during the Cao Wei period and was later destroyed by war.

The current city was built by Emperor Xiaowen on the north bank of the Yellow River in the 20th year of Taihe. There are two cities on the bank of the Yellow River that can help each other, and the Beizhonglang Mansion is set up to lead troops to garrison.

The General of the North Central Army, who guarded Beizhong City, was also a military commander with considerable military power near Luoyang. He was always a confidant of the emperor or a relative of the royal family.

This city is located north of the Yellow River, so it is also called Heyang City.

Behind this city is the floating bridge leading to Luoyang from the north, which is the last dangerous pass near Luoyang.

In the historical timeline before Su Ze traveled through time, after Gao Huan controlled Luoyang, he built Zhongtan City and Nancheng in Heyang, collectively known as the Three Cities of Heyang.

These three cities became the eternal nightmare of the Western Wei Dynasty. Yuwen Tai tried his best many times but failed to bypass the three cities and capture Luoyang.

This shows the important role of Heyang City in the defense of northern Luoyang.

But Su Liang frowned and said:
"My Lord, the position of the Northern Army General of Luoyang is now vacant, but this city is still the main gate of Luoyang. Even if the Queen Mother and Your Majesty are foolish, they will not let you guard this city."

"It's easy to defend a dangerous pass, but it's hard to predict people's hearts. If the imperial army guards North Central City, I'm afraid they won't be able to stop the tiger heading south."

Su Ze smiled slightly. Su Liang was right. No matter how foolish the Queen Mother of Wei was, she would not let Su Ze guard the gate of Luoyang.

But Su Ze said:
"Isn't there a ready-made candidate?"

Su Liang looked at Su Ze in confusion, and Su Ze said:
"General Li Shengui, the General of the Eastern Expedition, is deeply trusted by the Queen Mother. He is also from a military family and has accompanied his father on many expeditions and made numerous military achievements. Isn't he the best candidate for the General of the Northern Army?"

"Ah?" Su Liang looked at Su Ze in surprise.

A few days ago, Li Shengui just passed Tongguan and wanted to join Su Ze, but was kept in Huazhou by Yu Jin.

Is Li Shengui willing?

Su Liang asked:

"General Li has just left Luoyang for Guanzhong. Is he willing to return to Luoyang? And he is mourning for his father. Can he take over as the General of the Northern Army?"

Su Ze said calmly:
"He who knows the current situation is a hero. General Li, like his father, is a hero."

"I gave him a choice, and returning to Luoyang was his own choice."

"You are still filial to your father? Now is the time when the Wei Dynasty is in danger. If Li Zhengdong steps forward, the Queen Mother will definitely seize his love and let him serve the country first."

Now Su Liang understood everything. Su Ze might have sent an envoy to reach an agreement with Li Shengui.

Li Shengui could choose between staying in Guanzhong and enjoying wealth and prosperity, or returning to Luoyang to serve as the General of the North.

Not surprisingly, Li Shengui chose the latter.

Relying on the influence of his father and brother, Li Shengui stayed in Guanzhong. If Su Ze had not fallen, he would certainly have remained rich and powerful.

But in order to advance himself, Li Shengui was able to become the concubine of Empress Dowager Hu, which shows that he was unwilling to be a rich and idle person.

For people like Li Shengui, you can despise his character and look down on his ability, but you cannot underestimate the courage of their choices.

Among the two choices offered by Su Ze, Li Shengui chose to return to Luoyang without hesitation.

As for where did those elite soldiers who accompanied Li Shengui back to Luoyang come from?
After he returns to Luoyang, will the Wei court appoint him as the General of the North?

These things are not what Li Shengui needs to consider.

He only needs to return to Luoyang under Su Ze's arrangement, and he will always be included in the credit book in the future.
-
Luoyang.

Prince Changle Yuan Ziyou returned to the palace with his trusted eunuch Su Shun. As soon as he got home, he received news that several important officials wanted to send their families out of Luoyang and came to ask him, the newly appointed Minister of Seven Armies, to help them.

In recent years, the Wei court has lost talented people, and the number of ministers in the Menxia Province has become increasingly smaller.

As a young and promising member of the royal family, although Yuan Ziyou was a member of the "Emperor's Party" and was disliked by Empress Dowager Hu, there was really no one else available. After the news of the defeat of Xindu reached Luoyang, Yuan Ziyou was finally granted the titles of Palace Attendant, Minister of Seven Armies, and Co-director of the Menxia Province.

In fact, this official position was just a recognition of the actual situation. Yuan Ziyou had been included in the Menxia Province meetings since a long time ago. However, Yuan Ziyou was not happy at all when he took over the important post of Shangshu of Seven Armies, which was responsible for the military power of the capital and the supervision of the imperial guards.

Ever since the palace coup, Empress Dowager Hu has kept a tight grip on the military power in Luoyang. Not to mention a small Minister of Seven Armies, even the General in Charge of the Army and the General of the Guards could not get involved in the military power of the guards and the gates of Luoyang Palace.

The only army Yuan Ziyou, the Minister of Seven Armies, could mobilize was the City Gate Captain who was guarding the outer gate of Luoyang.

Even the position of City Gate Captain was shared with the Yin of Henan.

However, this honorary position plays a very important role nowadays. If the nobles in Luoyang want to leave the city, they naturally need Yuan Ziyou's approval.

Yuan Ziyou did not make things difficult for these people. As long as they came to the palace to ask for permission, he would approve the passage and let them all go.

"Your Majesty, Envoy Suliu is waiting for you."

Nowadays, in Luoyang City, the only person who can enter and exit the residences of every dignitary without any obstacles is Su Suanle, the attendant of the backyard of the Duke of Gaoping, who has no official position or rank.

Yuan Ziyou and Su Ze had been dating for a long time, so Su Suan could naturally come and go from his mansion at will. The manager even asked him to wait in the house for Yuan Ziyou to return.

Su Suan's visit after nightfall must have important matters, but he could not guess why this popular envoy in Luoyang was waiting for him in the mansion in a hurry.

Yuan Ziyou was not willing to guess any more, so he took Su Shun directly into the inner hall and met the short, fat and shrewd envoy.

Su Shun looked around consciously, sent the servants away, closed the door and stood guard at the door.

Yuan Ziyou then spoke:
"What is the matter that Su Liu, the envoy, came to visit at night?"

Su Suan did not lose his manners just because he was familiar with Yuan Ziyou. Instead, he bowed very respectfully and then said:

"I have come here to recommend a person who can help you solve your problems."

"A worry-solver?"

"The Northern General is vacant, isn't Your Majesty worried about the right candidate?"

Yuan Ziyou was alert in his heart. This position of General of the North Army was once an important position that everyone was vying for, but now it was an unlucky job that everyone tried to avoid.

Yuan Ziyou, as the Minister of Seven Armies, was also the superior of the General of the North. He was also afraid of Erzhu Rong, who dominated Bingzhou. So, with the attitude of "better to have nothing than to have the wrong one", he delayed in selecting a suitable General of the North.

But Yuan Ziyou was also wary of Su Ze in Guanzhong. He smiled and said:
"This matter is not something that a mere minister of the Seven Armies can decide. Why doesn't Envoy Su Liu go to Lord Li? Lord Li is now in charge of the sect, and the Queen Mother relies heavily on him."

Su Suan was also a shrewd man. He did not answer Yuan Ziyou's tentative question. He said directly:
"I just ask Prince Changle to report the recommended candidate to the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother will definitely be satisfied with this candidate."

(End of this chapter)