Chapter 995 996 [Ashamed]

"Marquis Pei, please sit down."

Fang Xun pointed to the chair next to the bed, with a complicated smile on his face.

Pei Yue looked at the furnishings in the bedroom before sitting down. It was not elegant or luxurious, but it was not too poor either. In fact, on the way here, he had a rough idea of ​​Fang Xun's life in the past few years from the information received from various messengers.

Situation. Putting aside the past grudges, Fang Xun's ability to handle political affairs is not bad, otherwise he would not have been able to become the censor Zhongcheng.

It's a pity that the natural coal mine in Yunzhou is located in the Gaotang Prefecture to the east. Therefore, no matter how diligently Fang Xun loves the people, the achievements of Xing'an Prefecture are always overshadowed by the light of Gaotang Prefecture. He is not worried about it, but concentrates on pursuing it.

In terms of government affairs, Hung Yen Prefecture has allowed the people to live and work in peace and contentment in recent years.

But Pei Yue would not be in awe because of this, because Fang Xun was demoted from the censor Zhongcheng to the prefect of Xing'an. It would be a joke to say that he did not want to return to the court. As for the achievements he made here, it was his duty as a prefect.

In terms of responsibility, Pei Yue would be considered generous if he did not deliberately suppress him because of his original grudges, so naturally he would not praise him lavishly.

After many years in the dynasty, he has seen the demeanor of too many civil servants, such as Mo Haoli's unfathomable profundity, Luo Ting's loyalty and uprightness, and even the greedy and excessive Sun Dacheng, who can be regarded as capable from another perspective.

official.

Fang Xunluo was breathing with some difficulty. The barbarian stabbed him in the lower abdomen with a final knife. Then he insisted on standing under the tower for a long time. In the end, he relied on Bing Yong's support to prevent him from falling. After delaying for so long, even the imperial doctor

He couldn't achieve a magical rejuvenation. In fact, he already knew that he couldn't survive it, but there was still a ray of obsession in his heart that supported him to see Pei Yue.

Looking at Pei Yue's cold eyes, Fang Xun could probably understand the young prince's thoughts, so he slowly said: "Pei Hou, in fact, the moment the barbarians appeared, the official was thinking about himself. If this

I was able to repel the barbarians for the first time and save the city and the people in it. This should be considered a big achievement, and the lower official will probably be able to return to Kyoto with this."

Pei Yue nodded and said: "I have read your request to Brother Shuyi. Although this is inappropriate according to the regulations of the imperial court, because the local state government absolutely does not allow private recruitment and training of troops, this is a special period after all, and barbarians do appear in the city.

Besides, as the prefect, you have saved this city, and overall your merits outweigh your faults. If you are not seriously injured, perhaps after the war is over, His Majesty will transfer you back to the court."

Fang Xun shook his head, showed a wry smile and said, "That's not what I want to say."

Pei Yue looked at him puzzled.

Fang Xun's breathing gradually became faster and he said softly: "If Marquis Pei doesn't dislike it, I would like to tell you about the past."

Pei Yue said: "Please."

Fang Xun showed his gratitude slightly, and then said: "Xiaoguan is from Songning Prefecture in Qinzhou. He studied hard day and night in the cold window. He became a scholar at the age of fifteen, passed the national examination at the age of twenty-one, and ranked first in the rankings at the age of twenty-two.

From then on, he entered the imperial court and became an official in Hanlin.

When I was studying in the academy, I often thought about becoming an able minister in the future. At the age of twenty-eight, I was promoted to the imperial censor, and at the age of thirty-six, I was promoted to the censor Zhongcheng. However, I was demoted out of Kyoto in my early forties, and my lower official had to come to Xing'an.

This is a bitter and cold place."

He coughed several times involuntarily.

Pei Yue did not interrupt, but listened quietly.

Fang Xun continued: "My official has read the books of sages all his life and knows the ups and downs of life. He is not discouraged because of this. He only wants to make some political achievements in Xing'an Prefecture so that His Majesty and the rulers can see them. As long as he can

Returning to the court, he will

There is still a chance for a comeback. After hearing the news of the barbarian invasion to the south, Xiaguan asked Marshal Geshu for help according to the rules. Without waiting for reinforcements, Xiaguan recruited his own troops because Fucheng was too close to the border and was very likely to be robbed by the barbarians.

The target of plunder.”

Pei Yue adjusted his sitting posture slightly and suddenly asked: "Prefect Fang, what do you think of the fall of Jiuliguan?"

Fang Xun was startled for a moment, and then said calmly: "After the city was defended, I also thought about this matter... Ahem... There may be two possibilities. The first is that the barbarians have hidden most of their strength, Marshal Geshu.

The defeat in the wilderness is probably no accident. The second possibility is that there are barbarians inside the Jiuli Pass defenders."

At the end of the sentence, he couldn't help but have a confused look on his face. He couldn't figure out how the barbarians could develop an internal response in the Daliang Army. Moreover, if they wanted to successfully attack Jiuli Pass, it would be difficult for a single internal response to do so.

Pei Yue nodded slightly and motioned Fang Xun with his eyes to continue speaking.

Fang Xun smiled hard, looked at Pei Yue and said: "Pei Hou, Xianguan has been hesitating last night because the battle situation was too fierce and the soldiers guarding the city were in danger. If Xianguan ran away at that time, he might be able to save this place.

A life."

Pei Yue asked: "Why don't you run?"

Fang Xun looked ashamed and said: "At that time, the official was thinking that if he ran away like this, the soldiers would definitely collapse and the city could not be defended. Then wouldn't all the previous efforts be in vain? Not only would the official not be able to return to the court,

, there is also the possibility of being accused. I am indeed afraid of death, but I don’t want to be the one who is accused of being a sinner."

Pei Yue noticed that his face was getting uglier and uglier. His wounds were difficult to treat, and his ability to hold on until now was all due to the breath in his chest.

As soon as he thought of this, he gave up the idea of ​​stopping the other party, and said in a slower tone: "It is human nature to be afraid of death, and it is understandable to worry about ruining your reputation. Magistrate Fang, I am actually not very clear about the reason why you must see me.

, but what you did last night deserves my respect."

Fang Xun looked at him steadily, and then asked in a trembling voice for a long time: "Really?"

Pei Yue nodded sincerely.

Fang Xun opened his mouth slightly, and a cloudy tear fell from the corner of his eye. However, he soon showed a bitter and self-deprecating smile, shook his head and said: "Marquis Pei, I would like to thank the guards under your command, especially the one named Xu Mo."

A young man. If he and his companions had not persisted to the death, Xiaguan would have been scared out of his wits, and the city would certainly not have been defended."

He raised his hand to hold his chest and continued: "He wants to die together with that barbarian. At that time, Xianguan's mind was in chaos. He was afraid, frightened, and confused. He couldn't figure out why. He was still so young, and his abilities were beyond

Most of my peers, who are still trusted confidants of Marquis Pei, will definitely have a bright future in the future, but in this strange place, working hard for so many strangers, what is the official doing?"

Pei Yue sighed softly.

Fang Xun wiped the blood that overflowed from the corner of his mouth and said with great pain: "Xiaguan has read the books of sages for so many years. He has always thought that he has the world in mind, he has always thought that he is loyal to His Majesty and the court, and he has always thought that he loves the people like a son.

But what has Xiaguan done all these years? When those barbarians massacred the defenders and the people, Xiaguan was still thinking about his official position, and he was still dreaming of returning to the central government as soon as possible to take charge!"

He was choked with sobs, tears and blood on the corner of his mouth were intertwined. The official's most important appearance had been completely destroyed, but he didn't pay attention at all.

Pei Yue whispered: "Prefect Fang, that's not the case."

Fang Xun said intermittently: "Marquis Pei, when I was a low-ranking official, I wanted to give the eldest prince some help in times of trouble. I hoped that he would remember the benefits of being a low-ranking official when he inherited the throne in the future, so he conspired with Sun Dacheng to put a stumbling block on Pei Hou's Xiangyun number.

——”

Pei Yue shook his head slightly and interrupted him: "Prefect Fang, the past is over, why bother mentioning it again?"

Fang Xun said sadly: "Xiaguan has actually been resenting Marquis Pei for the past few years, but after last night, Xianguan finally understood what kind of person he is."

He raised his head with difficulty, looked at Pei Yue and said, "Xiaguan... Xianguan feels guilty!"

Already broke down in tears.

Pei Yue stood up and sat on the edge of the bed, reached out and held his hand and said: "Prefect Fang, I wonder if you haven't heard a sentence: Saints talk about their deeds but not their hearts. No matter what your original intention is, you have finally sacrificed to save the city.

For everything, including your life, people all over the city will thank you, and that is enough. No third person will hear what you said to me today."

Fang Xun's eyes suddenly burst into light, but then dimmed again after a moment.

However, there was no guilt or sadness on his face at this time, only calmness and calmness remained.

He said: "Thank you."

Pei Yue sighed: "No need."

Fang Xun gradually closed his eyes, and then stopped breathing.

Pei Yueku sat there for a long time, speechless.
Chapter completed!