Prime Minister

Chapter 725 Offering Soil (Two Updates in One)
In June of the fifth year of Xining.

Bianjing City.

Cai Tianshen, the visiting envoy from Shaanxi, had already returned to the capital. He met his father Cai Ting and his elder brother Cai Meng, who were deputy envoys of the Privy Council.

Many wood and stone bonsai transported from the south of the Yangtze River are planted in the courtyard.

Cai Ting asked slowly, "Is the deficit in Shaanxi really as big as you said in your letter?"

Cai Tianshen said: "It's really not small. According to Zhang Muzhi, the total deficit of grain purchases, military horses, and salt farms is more than 300 million."

Cai Ting said: "If there is something good at the top, the bottom will follow it. If there is a master who likes to make great achievements, there must be ministers who are eager for quick success and quick benefits."

Cai Meng said: "It's just a place the size of a battlefield, but it's often called the restoration of the homeland of the Han and Tang Dynasties. I don't know that the land has been occupied by the Tibetans for a long time. The people's customs and customs are different from those in the middle land. I don't know how much manpower and material resources will be spent on governing these places. "

Cai Meng sneered and said: "I heard that Zhang Jing ruled Lintao, and he didn't buy grain from the people at the market price. I don't know how much it costs. Now that Lintao's grain price has risen to three or four hundred yuan a bucket, it is worth ten times that of Bianjing! This is not a waste of the court. money and food?"

After a pause, he continued: "Now the Liao Kingdom knows that our dynasty is using troops to the northwest, and is at odds with the party. It has repeatedly sent troops across the boundary river, plundered our people, and killed our soldiers. The court has never heard of it, and only knows to brag about the recovery. The martial arts of Xizhou and Hezhou are weak on one side and tough on the other, which is really ridiculous."

Cai Tianshen said: "How is Xihe doing now?"

Cai Meng said: "Xiangzi City was lost more than ten years ago, and there was no news of Wang Shao, Zhang Yue's army. Gao Zunyu reported to the Privy Council that Zhang Yue Wang Shao's army had been wiped out. Xia Guo also sent troops from Tiandu Mountain, and asked the Privy Council to dispatch troops from Jingyuan Road. aid."

Cai Tianshen changed his face and said: "How could this be so? I also thought that although Daozhang Wang and his two mastered power, at least defeating Mu Zheng and taking Hezhou is no problem, but now the entire army has been wiped out?"

Cai Ting sighed silently upon hearing this.

To tell the truth, Cai Ting still appreciates Zhang Yue and Wang Shao. Both of them, together with him, are scholars who know military affairs, especially since they established themselves in the ancient Wei, it can be said that they must win battles and attack.

Cai Ting felt sorry for the two of them.

Cai Ting has a lot of scheming. He seems to be worshiped as the deputy envoy of the privy because of the poem "Yuguan Renlao" by the officials. In fact, he deliberately let people publicize it, but the most important thing is the help of his in-law Zeng Gongliang. .

Zeng Gongliang and many courtiers were opposed to Xihe's use of troops, so Cai Ting must follow Zeng Gongliang's idea on this point, but his own idea is more inclined to go out of Jingyuan Road.

Cai Ting raised his face and said: "Since the establishment of the Xihe Economic Strategy and Appeasement Department, His Majesty has spent 3000 million guan in succession. The whole court has criticized this a lot, but because he obeys the wishes of the officials, he has to do so."

"If Hezhou is defeated right now, Wang Shao and Zhang Yue will be guilty!"

……

Li Xian was walking in the palace at the moment. Because of his achievements in conquering Xizhou, he was named the envoy of Dongran Academy and the official of Imperial Medicine Academy.

Now Li Xian has returned to Bianjing.

Li Xian really wanted to stay in Xihe and continue to make military exploits with Wang Shao and Zhang Yue, but it was a pity that the term of office was usually only one year, and then he had to return to Beijing to report to the emperor.

So Li Xian had to return to Beijing early.

Of course, Li Xian also won the reputation of Zhibing among the eunuchs because of his military exploits in Xizhou.

The officials also appreciated Li Xian very much, and often let him accompany him. If there were any battle reports from Xixia, Liao and Qingtang that were difficult to judge, they would call Li Xian to discuss.

However, Li Xian is very cautious. After all, the eunuch Zhijun will be criticized by civil servants.What he often said in the memorial is to let the officials trust the generals in front, and let them succeed by delegating power.

Therefore, Li Xian has a good reputation among civil officials.

When Li Xian came to the official's bedroom, he saw that the imperial meal had just been taken out, and the servant at the side said to Li Xian, "Your Majesty hasn't eaten much all day."

Li Xian heard the words and said: "Go to the imperial kitchen to cook the sheep's heart again!"

The other party said: "Your Majesty may not be able to use it."

Li Xiandao: "You go and serve it."

The other party said that he was retreating, Li Xianju stepped into the hall, but at this moment, he saw the official family holding candles to illuminate the map of Qin Feng and Xihe Road on the wall.If it is said that the place that the officials are most familiar with right now is not this Bianjing City, nor this Da Nei Imperial Palace, but Xihe Road.

Your Majesty would call out every place name on Xihe Road in his sleep.

Seeing Li Xian, the officials immediately said: "Li Xian, come and show me quickly. If Xiangzi City falls, will Zhangyue Wang Shao still have a chance?"

But Li Xian said categorically: "Your Majesty, I will guarantee with the head of Xiang Shang that Zhang Yue Wang Shao and the [-] troops will be safe and sound."

The official asked: "How can you see it?"

Li Xiandao: "Your Majesty, the minister in Xihe has always known the commander-in-chief's temperament. Gao Zunyu is cautious and complete, and he is not willing to take risks easily. He hesitated before Xiumalebao, and Xia Guo's point collection was spread on the side. He It must be sticking to Lintao and not being able to get out."

"Now that there is no news from Xiangzi City, he is worried that His Majesty will blame him for not saving him, so he reported to Zhang Yue in Lintao City and at the border that Wang Shao's entire army has been wiped out, so as not to lead the army to rescue and take risks."

The official nodded.

Li Xiandao: "Gao Zunyu knew about Xixia Dianji, why Zhang Yue and Wang Shao didn't know, Zhang Yue and Wang Shao attacked Hezhou, it must be because Xixia could not come, that's why Gao Zunyu..."

The official nodded and said: "I have understood. At the beginning, the border reported that the collection of Xia Guo was very prosperous, and Lintao City was shocked overnight. Gao Zunyu rode alone outside the city, and Lintao City was safe. I also said that Gao Zunyu There is the wind of the ancestors! No wonder, no wonder!"

The official was a little relieved after speaking.

But people's doubts are like this, although he doesn't believe that Zhang Yue and Wang Shaozhi will be defeated by Mu Zheng, but he has such a heart of worrying about gains and losses.

Both Wang Anshi and Wu Chong said that Your Majesty should not worry, and let the frontline soldiers handle it, but Cai Ting, another privy envoy, objected, and many courtiers who were originally opposed to the army marched all day long saying that Zhang Yue and Wang Shao were finished. , Tens of thousands of troops were lost, and even the Xizhou, Tongyuan Army, and Huizhou that had just been defeated might also be lost.

The court has been talking like this all day long, and the officials themselves are also upset, and they are also muttering in their hearts should they stop?
After Li Xian's explanation, the officials understood that Gao Zunyu did exaggerate, but his heart was still hanging there, and he couldn't let it go.

The official sat down on the imperial couch, and at this time the eunuchs on the side served him boiled lamb heart.

Officials in the Song Dynasty liked to eat mutton. Emperor Taizu had to eat several bowls of mutton soup every day. Emperor Renzong wanted to eat mutton soup when he woke up in the middle of the night when he was hungry. Today's officials also love to eat it.

The boiled lamb heart of this royal meal contains fermented soybeans, green onions, tangerine peel, grass fruit, pepper, and longan.As for the officials, they also have the appetite to pick up chopsticks.

The servant on the side admired Li Xian greatly, and he resolved the official's worries with a few words.

While talking about the Xihe war, the officials and Li Xian ate sheep's heart.

Li Xian secretly lamented the frugality of the official family. Although it is not as good as the original Emperor Renzong, the official family really doesn't like rich clothes, good food, and entertainment. He can hide tens of millions of money without blinking an eye. Let Zhang Yue and Wang Shaona go to Xihe to fight, but it is very simple for their own food and clothing.

Nowadays, many courtiers say that the officials, Wang Anshi and Wang Anshi are trying their best to collect money, but it is true that they have collected money, but they don't use half of it for the king's ostentation and enjoyment.

Li Xian replied that the official's performance was correct, and the official stopped his chopsticks and showed a serious expression of listening.Li Xianyan said: "However, Gao Zunyu's caution is justified. Back then, Fan Zhongyan presented the method of shallow attack and advanced construction, and Qingli's defeat stemmed from this."

The official said: "It makes sense."

Li Xiandao: "But my minister watched Zhangyue, and Wang Shao used his troops to form a battalion. Although the Fan division had a large number of people, they chose key points to defend them. When the Fan army was exhausted and hungry, they would be invincible. Therefore, there is no Gao Zunyu's words. trouble."

The official said: "This is also the most important thing in the art of war."

In the middle of the speech, the servants reported that the gentlemen had come.

The official said to Li Xian: "You are familiar with the military affairs of Xihe, so I will meet with you."

The officials immediately put down the sheep heart that had only eaten a few mouthfuls, and immediately came to the front hall.

At this time, Wang Anshi, Wen Yanbo and other ministers arrived, and they all said to the officials: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, there is good news ahead!"

Li Xian's words from the official family have already eased Cai Cai's emotions, and he smiled with a look of wisdom in his hands and a plan in his chest: "Really? I have already expected it."

Wang Anshi said: "Before Gao Zunyu made a statement about Zhang Yue, and Wang Shao's entire army has been wiped out. The truth is true. The two are now pulling out Xiangzi City and conquering Hezhou. They also defeated the Fan army in Jingniu Valley. In Jiangzhai, Dong Yu was provoked, and Wu Chila fought with Mu Zheng. When our army attacked, Mu Zheng was defeated and escaped to Dong Zhan. On the way to capture your lord, now King Shao of Zhangyue has taken over the entire Hezhou territory for His Majesty!"

Wu Chong said: "This matter should have been reported as soon as possible, but Zhang Yue Wang Shao painted the map of the mountains and rivers of Xizhou and Hezhou and presented it to His Majesty together with the victory report, so it was a few days late."

The official asked excitedly: "What is the map of mountains and rivers, I want to have a look at it?"

Not long after, the waiter brought a table case, but he saw that on the table case, heaps of sand and soil looked like mountains and rivers, imitating the shape of rivers with mercury, and the landscape pictures of the entire Xizhou and Hezhou were presented on the table case.

Wu Chong said: "The sand and soil here are all collected from Hezhou, Xizhou. Today, King Shao of Zhangyue presents the soil to His Majesty!"

Accepting soil and offering soil is a ceremony of submission. In the past, when the tribes surrendered to the Central Plains dynasty, offering a handful of soil was a sign of submission.

And Zhang Yue, this map of mountains, rivers and society presented by Wang Shao has already indicated that the entire territory of Xizhou and Hezhou has become the territory of our Song Dynasty!

The official's excitement gradually calmed down: "It's so exquisite. The landscape of Xihe River seems to be in my eyes. Even if I am in Bianjing, I can enjoy the scenery of mountains and rivers of Xizhou and Hezhou here. This is a generous gift." I accept it!"

Wang Anshi said: "At the beginning, Ma Yuan gathered rice to form valleys and pointed out the situation. Now the map of mountains, rivers and communities presented by King Shao of Zhangyue can also help soldiers in the front to attack cities and villages. I think this method can be implemented among generals in the army."

Wen Yanbo looked at Wang Anshi, the officials are excited and happy, you have to bring this matter up for the officials to decide, it seems that if there is something so novel, if you discuss it with us, you will immediately implement it in the world.

"I'm ready!"

The officials deserve to be in harmony with Wang Anshi.

Cai Ting, the deputy envoy of the Privy Council who was waiting at this time, said: "Your Majesty, the minister has the original report. Gao Zunyu Shangshu impeached Zhang Yueyan, and when there was no news from Xiangzi City, Cai Yanqing, the transshipment envoy, was able to appease Guan Gou Lu Shengqing, and Xizhou Judge Wenji At the same time, Zhang Shouyue, the governor of Xizhou, was ordered to send troops to rescue Xiangzi City."

"But Zhang Shouyue's troops were only three thousand, and he didn't follow his will. But Cai Yanqing forced Zhang Shouyue to fight. This Cai Yanqing is not a commander-in-chief, and he has no right to control his troops, and Zhang Shouyue originally listened to Gao Zunyu Temperance, but no order, this is against the system."

Wang Anshi said: "Zhang Yue, Wang Shao's tens of thousands of troops are still trapped by bandits, and Zhang Shouyue only has 3000 troops. Soldiers and horses, Zhang Shouyue just left, and this matter is logical."

Cai Tingdao: "Gao Zunyu also reported that when Zhang Yue was stationed in Xiangzi City, he first stamped a big seal on an empty paper official document, and then asked Xizhou commanders to adjust bows, arrows, and food, but the seal was left in Lintao City. On behalf of Guan Gou, this seal is issued twice, and it is not in line with the system, please convict Zhang Yue!"

After hearing Cai Ting's words, the officials seemed unhappy, and he was just happy to capture Hezhou, but Cai Ting came to hold Zhang Yue accountable.

Wen Yanbo asked: "Didn't Cai Yanqing discuss this matter with Gao Zunyu?"

Cai Ting said: "Although it is a discussion, it is not an invitation. Zhang Shouyue sent troops on his own."

Wen Yanbo frowned and said: "When the strategy is used, the governor of the capital should control the troops. If the governor of the capital does not control the soldiers and horses, he will issue an order to send troops. It is indeed against the system."

Wu Chong said: "The envoy and the deputy envoy were besieged in Hezhou, so Lu Shengqing pretended to do it. If Zhang Yue and Wang Shao were in Lintao, Lu Shengqing would not dare to do it."

Cai Ting said: "Lu Shengqing is no more than Guan Gou, the director of economic strategy, who dares to fake seals and issue documents. This is interference with authority."

Wen Yanbo said: "This is because Gao Zunyu has a different intention. If Xizhou is really empty because of sending troops to Xiangzi City, and Xia Guobing enters, all the blame can be pushed to Cai Yanqing."

The officials and all the officials were stunned, this approach is really very respectful.

Sure enough, Wen Yanbo was really good, and he could see Gao Zunyu's intentions at a glance.

The official said: "Gao Zunyu did not pre-empt the military, so he repeatedly obstructed the battle of Hezhou. I have heard about this matter. Zhang Yue and Lu Shengqing's move is also to prevent accidents, so that the army will not go deep into the dangerous situation. The reason why the backup was cut off."

Wu Chong said: "Your Majesty, Shengming, from Hezhou to Xiangzi City, and then to Lintao, it is nearly [-] miles in total, and we have to cross the Tao River. The places we pass are all unattached people. If Wang Shao attacks Hezhou, Zhang Yue will be in the middle." Contact Xiangzi City, Gao Zunyu guards the rear, so we can protect everything."

"But Gao Zunyu, Zhang Yue, and Wang Shao have different ideas, so this move is made. Although it is not a system, it is also a policy of following power."

The official nodded.

Feng Jingdao: "Your Majesty, although Hezhou has won a great victory this time, we must rectify the misconduct of the commander-in-chief at the front. Besides Zhang Yue, Yuan Zhongtong has also confessed, admitting that Wang Shao helped him change his name, and he and Huang Cha, Wang Junwanyou An act of greed."

The official said: "Based on Zhang Yue, Wang Shaozhi's contribution to regaining Hezhou is not enough. This matter ends here, and there is no need to investigate it further!"

Both Cai Ting and Feng Jing withdrew.

As the so-called conflict of opinions, the two of them, as Zai Zhi, finished what they should say, anyway, it is to express that I am not on the same side as you, Wang Anshi, Wu Chong and others.

This is also the intention of the officials to promote them as Zaizhi.

In the eyes of the superior, employing people should also be able to go up or down. If you blindly serve Zhang Yue and Wang Shao shows his merits, it will be like a straight road to the sky.This makes people envious and jealous, and it will also make those who have merit feel proud of taking credit for it. Immediately, they don't take your emperor seriously, as if all the way to reward and promote officials depends on their own ability, and they don't know how to be grateful to the officials.

So if you have credit, you should be rewarded, and at the same time, some braids should be held in your hands.

Of course, people who don't know it think that there are traitors in the court. Why is it that whenever the emperor wants to reward Zhang Yue and Wang Shao for their merits, there are villains to obstruct it?

The official said: "This time overcoming Zhang Yue, Wang Shao, and Cai Yanqing in Hezhou is the most successful!"

The officials set the tone with one word, and quickly set the tone first, otherwise the chief executives will rank Gao Zunyu first again. Isn't this embarrassing him?
"How to award the three people, and how to reward the rest of the meritorious officers and men, several Qing family members discuss it and then play it."

After a pause, the official said: "But there is one thing, I want to make my own opinion that Gao Zunyu is sitting in Xizhou this time, and he will not lose Lintao. It is because of his hard work that he should be promoted..."

Gao Zunyu must have been very moved after hearing what the officials said. He had done nothing in Lintao, but he had worked hard.

Wang Anshi said: "Gao Zunyu can join the regiment and train as an envoy!"

The official said happily: "I just played according to Qing, but since I am a regiment training envoy, it is not easy to hold the post of general manager, so I will retire as deputy general manager and let Zhang Yue take over the post of general manager of Xihe Road Army and Horses!"

Wang Anshi agreed on the spot, and Cai Yanqing told himself every letter that the chapter was as good as possible, and how to implement the art of war in Xihe.

Zhang Yue supported his reform with practical actions, so Wang Anshi will definitely reward him.

If you oppose the reform, not to mention the military commander, the economic envoy will also go down.

Wu Chong made a statement on the spot: "Gao Zunyu's orders from the Economic and Strategy Division are often slow. , so it is extremely appropriate for Zhang Yue to also be in charge of the order."

The official nodded and walked down the steps to Wang Anshi and Wu Chong. The two saluted quickly.

The official said to Wang Anshi and Wu Chong: "When the news of Xiangzi City was cut off, there were constant suspicions among the courtiers. I tried to stop the policy many times, but the two lovers were always the same. If there is no conspiracy in the temple, how can there be Zhang Yue? Wang Shao's merit as a general. If it weren't for the two Qing families, how could he have such great merit?"

After speaking, the officials held Wang Anshi's and Wu Chong's hands, and both of them were extremely moved.

……

After the princes left, the official family went back to the apse.

Li Xian followed behind without saying a word, and the two monarchs and ministers saw the map of Xihe on the wall again, and their moods were different.

The map of Jiangshan Sheji presented by Zhangyue Wang Shao is also placed in the hall.

The official glanced at the map of Jiangshan Sheji, picked up the imperial pen on the imperial case and gave instructions to Li Xian.

"Bring cinnabar!"

"Bring me another ladder!"

The official used a pen to dip it in cinnabar, and then he climbed the ladder and swiped it himself.

Li Xian carefully illuminated the map with a candlestick in his hand, but he saw that the officials painted the land of Hezhou on the map with the vermilion color representing the scorching Song Dynasty!
(End of this chapter)