Prime Minister

It is the foundation of a rich country and a strong army. It only talks about morality and justice. The study of vertical and horizontal is pragmatic rather than pragmatic. This is in line with the wishes of officials and Wang Anshi.

"In the past, the reforms of the Wu Dynasty were all the nobles of the Chu State, and equalized their income, harmed their excesses, and made up for their deficiencies. Chu was strong because of the strength of Chu. The ministers think that the reason why Han Wu and Tang Zong were able to defeat the barbarians was to strengthen China first, not to use vertical and horizontal ones. Say it."

Supplement for loss comes from the Tao Te Ching, and when applied to reforms, it is to break the annexation system.

But at this time Feng Jing came out of the class and said: "Your Majesty, I believe that benevolence and morality should be the basis of governing the country. Now that Xia is aggressive, Xia and Khitan are closely related. Khitan will be shaken. If the two countries come together to offend, dare to ask?" How can we enrich the country and strengthen the army within three to five years, so as to be able to resist the enemy? Is this vertical and horizontal plan useless?"

When Feng Jing spoke, the officials nodded and said: "Feng Qing's words are true. You can't speak of war without judging the situation."

All the ministers know what the officials think. Although they have the ambition to use troops against Xixia and restore our homeland of the Han and Tang Dynasties, they are also afraid that the Khitan Xixia coalition forces will attack.

Therefore, once the courtiers said this, the officials would be shocked.

Zhang Yue came out and said: "Your Majesty, when you look at the four barbarians in the world, the south is nothing to be afraid of. The western barbarians are weak and have few masters. The power is held by foreign relatives. The master has no strategic ambitions, and there is no system to restrain the upper and lower. This is sincerely aggressive. At that time, the northern barbarians only need to pay attention to it, and not let it be controlled at the same time. The lord of the Khitan has established the country for 20 years, and he is not an unreasonable lord. We only need to dispel his suspicion, give small profits, and give generous gifts. , why did the two countries commit crimes together?"

"As long as the western barbarians are broken, the northern barbarians will be alone and not to be feared. The so-called vertical and horizontal schemes are all like this, and Su Qin and Zhang Yi's talents are not needed to distinguish them!"

The official Long Yan was very happy, Feng Jing said it wonderfully, but Zhang Yue's refutation was even more wonderful.

If people who play chess are all sensible people, then vertical and horizontal learning is nothing more than that, then Su Qin and Zhang Yi's resurrection is useless, everyone don't pretend.

The official had already seen Zhang Yue’s strategy for making Xia when he was discussing with the prime ministers in the Zizheng Hall. He also believed that, as Zhang Yue said, the possibility of the Khitan sending troops to attack the Song Dynasty is very small, but no matter how small, There is also this possibility.

As the head of a country, one cannot easily risk the future of the country and the nation.

The official still asked with some concern: "Xia Guo's entry this time is not the same as before. It's just a thank you without making an oath, and it doesn't talk about the division of roads and lands. It seems to be contradictory. Zhang Qing sees if Khitan gave Xia Guo Backed up with courage, why is Xixia so bold to overthrow the previous proposal?"

When the officials asked, all the ministers looked at Zhang Yue.

But seeing Zhang Yue's 'frank' answer: "Your Majesty, it's not that Khitan's national power is strong, but your Majesty's concern about the lack of national power."

Wang Anshi and Wen Yanbo were slightly surprised, what's wrong with Zhang Yue who speaks so 'straight' today.

When Zhang Yue said this, the official said very humbly: "Yes, I am worried about Khitan. The Khitan's enemy could not be controlled even when Emperor Taizong was in power. Now the imperial court in Hebei has no comprehensive measures."

Zhang Yue said: "I think that if you want to take over the world, you must first judge the situation. Now that the Siyi are weaker than they are now, it is time for the frontier ministers to receive real contributions for your majesty."

"Now the Khitan's problem is that they see their own country using troops to the western barbarians, so they feel contemptuous, cross the river and cross the border to make trouble, but they don't dare to make a big move, lest I will be angered. It is not even allowed to send envoys to this matter, just send the border The minister is self-defense. The minister believes that the current troubles of the court should be worried about the lack of governance, not the failure of the Khitan."

"There is no other way for the minister to protect the Khitan!"

Zhang Yue once again put his official career on the line in front of everyone to ensure that Khitan would not send troops to attack the Song Dynasty, and the officials nodded slowly.

Wang Anshi asked aloud: "Yesterday the Zhuozhou border reported that the Khitan moved the boundary stone [-] steps without authorization, and the defenders killed two Khitan soldiers. According to the rules and regulations, how should we deal with it?"

Zhang Yue said: "With the Khitan's size, we can compete with us for thirty steps. Will this weaken our national strength and increase the Khitan's strength? From this we can see that the Khitan has no other plan. The murder is our fault, and it can make the border If you will settle the matter with the Khitan, if you can’t, you should reprimand the general.”

"Rebuking the guard, isn't that chilling the general's heart?" Cai Ting asked.

Zhang Yuedao: "This dynasty has given small benefits to Khitan and given them generous gifts. If China wants to control the barbarians, it must first control the subjects, so that they are on our side, and then they can blame the enemy's song."

"Only by manipulating can one be able to manipulate. The wider the manipulative, the wider the manipulative. Wouldn't it be ridiculous to care about the land of thirty paces instead of fighting for the thousands of miles of land in Xiyi Qingtang? If we can win a battle against Xixia, we don’t need to fight with Khitan, and we can win the land within thirty paces. If we can’t defeat Xixia, even if we can fight with Khitan for thirty paces, we can’t control their arrogance.”

Cai Ting asked Zhang Yue with a sense of shamelessness: "I don't know if Zhang Jinglue can protect Khitan without any other strategy, but can we guarantee that the current national strength can defeat Khitan?"

Zhang Yue said: "As far as I can see, the reason why this dynasty is invincible against Khitan is not because of lack of wealth and national power, but because of a failure to care about one thing?"

"What's the matter?"

Zhang Yuedao said: "During Taizu Taizong's reign, Guo Jin guarded Hebei, and the Khitans did not dare to offend. However, Guo Jin was forced to commit suicide by his ministers. Since then, the Khitans have regarded China as nobody."

Guo Jin was a famous general of the Song Army who had defeated Khitan many times, but because such a famous general was not from Song Taizong's confidant, he was forced to commit suicide by the supervising army.

After Zhang Yue finished speaking, Cai Ting had something wrong on his face. Zhang Yue's words could compare him to the side general who forced Guo Jin to commit suicide.

The officials are also a little ashamed. This matter is indeed Taizong's negligence. Didn't he have this worry when he called Zhang Yue back to Beijing?

As for Wang Anshi, his expression was a little complicated at the moment.

Wu Chong thought to himself what happened to his son-in-law today, and he spoke without any scruples, which was totally different from his usual prudent words and deeds.

Is it really better to go to the northwest to lead troops than to stay in Beijing?
While speaking, a minister came to the hall and said: "Your Majesty, great victory!"

The officials were a little confused when they heard the great victory. If it was a great victory in the battle between Hebei and Khitan, it would be worse than a big defeat.

"Tell me clearly, where is the great victory?" Cai Ting stepped forward to congratulate him and asked, this official is too ignorant of the rules.

But when he saw the other party, he said, "Yes...it's Xihe's great victory!"

Zhang Yue, who was in the palace at the moment, couldn't help being surprised, and immediately looked at Wang Anshi.

"Mu Zhengyu's party was building up momentum in Minzhou to attack Xizhou. After Wang Shao, the deputy envoy of Jinglue, heard about it, he and the general Wang Junwan led an army to defeat the enemy first, and surrendered throughout Minzhou."

The officials were overjoyed when they heard the words, Xihe Road actually took another state, and it was completed by Wang Shao independently leading the army under the premise that Zhang Yue was not on Xihe Road.

The Song Dynasty can add another color block to the northwest territory.It is one step closer to restoring the homeland of the Han and Tang Dynasties.

But Zhang Yue didn't think so. He wasn't jealous when he saw Wang Shao's achievements, but thought of another reason.

I am still the nominal coach of Xihe Road, but Wang Shao started the battle when he was not in Xihe Road. What does this mean?
That's right, the reason was that the Minzhou tribe wanted to attack Xizhou, but anyone with a discerning eye could tell it was bullshit.

It is likely that Wang Shao led the troops to conquer Minzhou when he was not in Xihe to show his ability.

With him in Xihe, or not in Xihe, he, Wang Shao, can still win the battle.

Zhang Yue had no doubt that Wang Shao had the idea of ​​replacing himself, so he launched the battle.

But the problem is that the campaign to recover a state is not launched when Wang Shao, a deputy economic and strategy envoy, wants to launch it.

The Department of Economics and Strategy can mobilize troops and horses, but the dispatch of food, grass and supplies has to go through the cooperation of the Transshipment Department.

So Cai Yanqing took the initiative to cooperate with Wang Shao?Impossible, in case the battle fails, Cai Yanqing cannot bear this responsibility.

Therefore, on the premise that he is not in Xihe, such a large-scale battle must be approved by the central government, which means that Wang Anshi acquiesced in Wang Shao's sending troops to attack Minzhou.

In other words, Wang Anshi acquiesced to Wang Shao's capture of Minzhou when he was not on Xihe Road.

Wang Anshi didn't want him to return to Xihe to lead the army at the beginning, but had already selected Wang Shao to take over from him to lead the army in the northwest.

I was in the Zizheng Palace a few days ago, and I fought for so long in front of the imperial court today, and finally made wedding dresses for others.

The official didn't expect so much for a while, and he was still immersed in the joy of regaining Minzhou at the moment.As Zhang Yue said, the most important thing is to regain the territory of several thousand miles of Xihe Road at one time. At this time, the Khitan's provocation must not mess up the order.

As for Wang Shao is indeed a talent, he was able to send troops successfully when Zhang Yue was not in Xihe.

Zhang Yue said at this moment: "Your Majesty, the Xihe Road has been newly restored, and people's hearts are unstable. At this moment, Minzhou is afraid that the troops will be scattered, so that Hezhou will be empty. Please call for an order to immediately strengthen the defense of Hezhou."

After hearing what Zhang Yue said, everyone thought that Zhang Yue would make you jealous.

Cai Ting said: "Your Majesty, Mu Zheng's new defeat, Dong Zhan's marriage with Xixia is out of plan, so what is there to be afraid of?"

Wu Chong said: "I think it's better to be cautious."

Wang Anshi said: "Your Majesty, it is better to temporarily appoint Wang Shao to control Qin Feng and Xihe's troops."

Compared with Zhang Yue's suggestion of four ways of moderation, it is easier for people to accept the moderation of two ways.As for Wang Shao's reputation for being good at fighting, if he said that he had some doubts about restraining the two armies before, but this time he should be able to do it based on his achievements in capturing Minzhou.

Now it is a long word, and there will be no long word in a few days.The officials also agreed to this decision and said the word "Zhun Zou".

This time the palace meeting was also over, and Wang Anshi got what he wanted as he wished.

Wang Anshi, who stepped out of the hall, did not see much joy. In fact, what Zhang Yue said in the hall just now, he would have thought of it without being reminded by the other party.

As for whether Zhang Yue was jealous of Wang Shao's military exploits, Wang Anshi did not know.

"Speed ​​it up!"

Wang Anshi stopped Zhang Yue who came out of the hall with Wu Chong.

Wu Chong took a step ahead, Zhang Yue stepped forward and asked, "What advice does Mr. Xiang have?"

Wang Anshi could feel a little sullenness from Zhang Yue's words.This time Wang Anshi called Zhang Yue to stop and wanted to change the relationship between the two, and told him that he planned to recommend the other party as a Hanlin scholar.

But Wang Anshi understood Zhang Yue's tone, so he took the matter back and said, "Your performance in the hall just now is all words of gold and stone..."

"Don't dare to do it, Mr. Xiang has no other orders, and the next official resigned."

Hearing Zhang Yue's words, Wang Anshi was so angry that he lowered his face and said: "Okay."

Zhang Yue turned and left.