The ancient rammed-earth city walls had been weathered by the passage of time, resembling an aged face.
The mottled city gates were even more aged than the face itself. Every time it was pushed, it would creak miserably. The frame of the gates swayed and it was hard to tell when it would die of old age.
Yang Fan raised his head and looked at the soldiers on the city walls. The weeds on the city walls were growing healthily and they stood even more energetically than the soldiers on the city walls.
Following which, Yang Fan's gaze slowly turned to Wan Guojun.
The mastermind of the bloodbath in Jiannan, Qianzhong, and Lingnan, forcing the three regions to submit to him, Wan Guojun stood with a smile on his face.
Seeing that Yang Fan had stopped his horse, Wan Guojun walked forward and cupped his fists, saying in a pleasant tone, "Yang Langzhong, you must have had a tough journey. Please forgive me for my tardiness in welcoming you, hahaha … "
Dismounting from his horse, Yang Fan cupped his fists and said with a smile, "This lowly official has gone to Yao Province and Barbarian Province but was not welcomed. Instead, I met with danger and was treated as a thief, nearly losing my life. Who would have thought that when I arrived at Pan Province, I would be welcomed by Vice Premier Wan and the officials of Pan Province. What a surprise. "
Wan Guojun did not seem to hear the sarcasm in his words. Instead, he straightened his expression and said solemnly, "Yang Langzhong's words are wrong. You and I are both imperial envoys and there is no need to speak of who is inferior to the other. In terms of official position, I am the Vice Premier of the Imperial Censor, much higher than you, Yang Langzhong. In terms of age and seniority … Hehe, Yang Langzhong, you are a junior, a junior. However, I heard that Yang Langzhong is here to supervise my actions in Lingnan. Since that's the case, I have no choice but to welcome you. Welcoming you is out of respect for Your Majesty! "
There are many ways to achieve success and one of them is like Wan Guojun.
The Panzhou civil and military officials standing at the side saw that Wan Guojun was courteous on the outside but actually despicable on the inside, and his disdainful attitude towards Yang Fan in his speech, they were even more in awe of his might and tyranny.
When Yang Fan heard Wan Guojun's words, his expression immediately changed. He immediately bowed to Wan Guojun very solemnly.
Wan Guojun asked in surprise, "What does Yang Langzhong mean?"
Yang Fan said solemnly, "Even though Deputy Prime Minister Wan is thousands of miles away from the capital, he is still respectful and meticulous towards His Majesty. This junior admires him greatly. I have learned a lot."
"Ah …"
Wan Guojun twirled his beard and blinked. He was a little confused as to why Yang Fan was being so serious. If one were to say that Yang Fan had really learned a lot and was therefore very respectful towards him, he would not believe it even if he was beaten to death.
After Yang Fan finished bowing, he said to Hu Yuanli with an ashamed expression, "I won't hide it from Brother Hu. Just now I saw from afar the officials of Panzhou, big and small, cupping their hands to welcome me respectfully. Even Deputy Minister Wan was standing solemnly at my door. I could not help but feel proud. Fortunately Deputy Minister Wan's words woke me up! "
Hu Yuanli also did not know what medicine he was selling in his gourd, but he knew that he could not have received any teachings from Wan Guojun. However, he also did not know how to continue in order to cooperate with Yang Fan. He could only stroke his beard and nod, smiling without saying anything. When Hu Yuanli used this' silent meditation ', at least he would not say the wrong thing.
After Yang Fan finished reflecting on Hu Yuanli, he took out the imperial edict the Emperor had bestowed upon him from his sleeve. Gently stroking it, he said with unusual respect, "Deputy Minister Wan is right. As court officials, we receive the court's salary. All the rights and honors are bestowed by the Son of Heaven. All the more, we should always be vigilant. We must never rely on our power to become arrogant and complacent."
Even though this imperial edict had nothing to do with him, it was still an imperial edict. Whether it was the court officials or the common people, when they saw it, they all had to stand solemnly to the side to show respect. To a certain extent, it was equivalent to the Emperor. Moreover, the Emperor gave Yang Fan this imperial edict to instruct him to supervise the various officials. It had a great responsibility to the local officials and even Wan Guojun and the other imperial censors.
As soon as Yang Fan brought out the imperial edict, the civil and military officials of Panzhou quickly became solemn. They moved to the sides and saluted Yang Fan and his entourage again. Earlier, when Yang Fan arrived, everyone only saluted him with cupped hands. Now, it was time for them to salute. The officials cupped their hands high. From top to bottom, their waists bowed deeply. The leaders followed suit and bowed to the ground. This was the most respectful salute when standing.
Unexpectedly, when Wan Guojun saw Yang Fan bring out the imperial edict, he was dumbfounded.
Why?
It was because Lai Junchen was the only official in the Wu and Zhou dynasties who, regardless of whether it was a major national ceremony or not, even if he was in the Hall of Martial Accomplishment, had to solemnly salute the ancient Zhou rites. Since the first time Lai Junchen saw Wu Zetian, he had saluted like this. At that time, Wu Zetian was still the Empress Dowager. When Wu Zetian officially became the Emperor and considered herself a descendant of Zhou Wu Wang, he had saluted even more so after the Zhou rites were introduced.
Therefore, among the civil and military officials of the court, other people usually saluted the Emperor with cupped hands. Only Lai Junchen kneeled and saluted. When Wan Guojun became the Deputy Prime Minister, this matter would not be easy to handle. His predecessor kneeled and saluted. If he saw the Emperor and changed the rules, who knew how the Emperor would feel?
Wan Guojun did not have the courage to break tradition. He could only follow his predecessor's rules and also kneel and salute to Wu Zetian.
Now that Yang Fan had brought out the imperial edict, it was as if he had personally come.
Just now, Wan Guojun had said that he had led people to welcome the Emperor not to welcome Yang Fan, but to respect the Emperor. So should he bow or not? If he didn't bow, when today's events got back to the capital, would it leave a bad impression on the Emperor that he did not mean what he said? He would say one thing in front of the Emperor and another when he left the capital?
All sorts of thoughts flashed through Wan Guojun's mind. He gritted his teeth and knelt down, kneeling on the dust.
The Panzhou officials looked at each other. Helpless, they could only follow suit and kneel down. The dozens of people at the city gate suddenly became a head shorter.
Yang Fan held the imperial edict in one hand and caressed the smooth satin surface with the other. He was happy and content.
One bow, another bow, and a cupped fist.
When Wan Guojun led the civil and military officials of Pan Province to stand up again, the gazes that the officials looked at Wan Guojun with were a little less reverence and a little more ridicule compared to before they paid their respects.
"Going for wool and coming home shorn!"
Wan Guojun was very vexed.
…
The welcoming banquet was organized by the Panzhou officials. Although the people of Panzhou were poor and had just experienced war, it was easy for the officials to organize a few sumptuous banquets even if there were starving bones on the road.
During the banquet, they naturally had to mention Yang Fan's intentions in coming to Panzhou and ask about the present situation in Panzhou.
However, once Yang Fan asked if the Imperial Censor had violated the law in Panzhou, without Wan Guojun opening his mouth, the officials and heads would rush to praise Wan Guojun's wisdom, how he had seen through Feng Junheng's schemes, how he had decisively quelled the rebellion … In short, Wan Guojun had contributed to the country and the people. There was absolutely no mistake.
Once Yang Fan asked about Feng Junheng's usual performance in Panzhou and the reason and process of this rebellion, Wan Guojun only glanced at them and the officials and heads immediately rushed to accuse Yang Fan of how Feng Junheng had preyed on the people, how he had bullied the men and women, how he had plotted to rebel, and how he had deserved his punishment …
Yang Fan and Hu Yuanli looked at each other and smiled.
This was not a welcoming banquet, it was clearly a prestige banquet.
Wan Guojun was demonstrating to Yang Fan, "The entire Panzhou is already in my hands. Even if you come, there is nothing you can do!"
Is it really like this?
Yang Fan held his wine cup and glanced smilingly at those people who were afraid of Wan Guojun. In his heart, he did not believe that these people could become the masters of a village and the shepherds of a land. He was afraid that Wan Guojun would not dare to have the slightest bit of resistance when there was someone backing them up.
"Since today's banquet is a welcoming banquet for Yang Langzhong, how can there be wine and no music?"
Wan Guojun smiled and clapped his hands three times. A person who looked like a steward walked up and stood solemnly.
Wan Guojun said, "Summon them up and have them sing and dance to liven up Yang Langzhong!"
"Yes!"
The person bowed and retreated.
Wan Guojun turned his head and smiled at Yang Fan, "This official was calm and collected during the rebellion in Panzhou and promptly quelled it. Of course, General Qian Li also contributed greatly. In the memorials to the imperial court, General Qian Li's contributions were not buried. "
Hearing this, Li Qianli hurriedly put down his wine cup and cupped his fists towards him.
Wan Guojun continued, "The officials who accompanied Feng Junheng in the rebellion have all been executed …"
Yang Fan interrupted, "All executed?"
Wan Guojun rolled his eyes and said with a faint smile, "Perhaps there are a few who escaped into the deep mountains and forests, but … they are no longer a threat."
Wan Guojun laughed and continued, "According to the imperial court's laws, the families of officials who have committed crimes will be treated as slaves. These girls and boys who have committed crimes have all been stripped of their official status and are now slaves. They are to be sent to the palace to serve as palace maids and eunuchs. They have not been sent away yet. Let them sing and dance to liven up the atmosphere! "
After a round of competition at the city gates, Yang Fan followed Wan Guojun's tone and brought out the imperial edict, winning the first round. This welcoming banquet was Wan Guojun's home court. First, he made use of the Panzhou local officials' obedience and compliments to give Yang Fan a show of strength. Now he wanted to use the official slave song and dance to give Yang Fan another big slap on the face.
Aren't you here to back them up? Didn't you want to protect them? Now that I have killed those who should be killed, I have plagiarized those who should be plagiarized. As for the remaining little bastards, I will castrate all the men so that they can no longer be men. I want to send all the women to the palace so that they can live alone in the palace for the rest of their lives, never to be women again!
What can you do?
What can you do to me?
Wan Guojun's eyes flashed with coldness as he looked provocatively at Yang Fan.
Yang Fan did not speak. His expression was solemn and his eyes were looking straight ahead. He did not even look at him. He only raised his wine cup and slowly took a sip.
Towards a person who is about to die, others will always be more lenient, even if he is full of evil!
Even if Yang Fan did not come to Panzhou, he was certain that Wan Guojun was going to be a dead man. He did not come for Wan Guojun, but for a more long-term future. Since that was the case, why should he argue with a person who was about to die? Thinking of this, Yang Fan felt that it was unnecessary for him to not yield an inch at the city gates.
Wan Guojun stared at Yang Fan for a long time. Yang Fan did not meet his eyes, nor did he say a word. Wan Guojun smiled faintly and withdrew his gaze in boredom. He then looked at the front of the hall with interest.
Eight young girls, eight young boys, and sixteen male and female convicts were walking into the hall, dressed in colorful clothes.
Feng Yuanyi was tall, so he stood at the head of the eight young boys.
The moment he walked in, he looked hatefully at Wan Guojun. He was not the only one who looked hatefully at Wan Guojun.
Sixteen people, sixteen pairs of eyes, like a sharp arrow, had already pierced Wan Guojun full of holes!
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