The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

Su Jin thought for a while and said: "If I can't bear it, I have to bear it. The court trusts me so much, so I can only bite the bullet."

Han Qi pondered and said: "We must prepare for the worst. From now on, I will order people to dismantle all the bridges on the Longshui River and set up defenses along the river bank. Even if Weizhou is not protected, we must stick to the Longshui River and wait for Fan. The handsome army came to counterattack in one fell swoop."

Su Jin shook his head and said: "Shuai Han, I have made it very clear that if Weizhou is not protected, at least half of his [-] troops will be consumed, and by then the western thieves may have to retreat; What should the people do after the city is broken? There are nearly [-] people in the city. Whether it is killed or looted, it is my loss to the Song Dynasty. I want to send the people to the states first. But the number is too large, and most of them will have to ask Han Shuai for help."

Han Qi nodded and said: "That's fine, let's send the people away first, so that we can fight the enemy with all our strength without any worries. The prefectures on Qinfeng Road can settle at least [-] to [-] people. This matter is on my shoulders. You issue an official document ordering people to evacuate to Qinfeng Road , I accept them all.”

Su Jin was overjoyed and thanked Han Qi with a long bow. Fan Zhongyan still felt very uneasy. He hesitated again and again and finally said: "Master Su, in fact, on the way here, Han Shuai and I discussed how to defend the city, and Han Shuai is willing to come. I don't know what you would like to assist Lord Su to defend Weizhou?"

Su Jin looked at Fan Zhongyan and said, "Lord Fan still doesn't believe in my Su Jin's ability. In fact, I also want to let Han Shuai or Fan Shuai help me defend the city, but then what will I do? The imperial decree has just issued an appointment. The emperor of Jingyuan Road has been handed over to me, if I rely on other people's strength to defend it, then why am I still an official? Don't I tell the world that I, Su Jin, are incompetent?"

Fan Zhongyan knew this embarrassment early on. If it were his own words, if the enemy suggested inviting others to defend the city, he would definitely be unhappy in his heart. If it weren't for the safety of Jingyuan Road, Fan Zhongyan would never have said such a thing .

Now that Su Jin's reaction was really fierce, Fan Zhongyan kept his mouth shut and said with a smile: "Master Su, don't mind the old man's words. I mean, I'm afraid that Mr. Su doesn't know much about the Western Thieves when he first came to the Northwest. With Han Shuai's help The chances of winning are greater, and there is no intention of belittling Mr. Su; Mr. Su farted like an old man, and you can turn a deaf ear to it."

Su Jin said: "I accept the good intentions, but I can't agree. I hope the two adults understand. The two adults don't think that I disregard the safety of Weizhou for the sake of face. In fact, I still have confidence in this battle."

Fan Zhongyan said: "It's good to have confidence. The old man is talking too much. If you have other requirements, you can discuss them together. If you have any difficulties, you should solve them as soon as possible in advance, so as not to be rushed."

Su Jin thought for a while and said: "I would like to ask the two adults to give me some supplies. The supplies in the city are slightly insufficient. I need weapons, bows, arrows, armor and food. It is best to give me some kerosene or something. Those who are defending the city It can make a big difference at any time.”

Han Qi said: "Okay, tomorrow I will order people to send 30 arrows. I don't have many bows, but I can also send [-] arrows. I also have a lot of food and grass in Qinzhou. Since I sent [-] When soldiers come to fight, they naturally have to bring more food and grass.”

Su Jin repeatedly bowed his hands to thank him. What he was most worried about was the lack of supplies in the city. After being tossed about by Li Zhi and them, now there is a shortage of food, weapons, bows and arrows. I don’t know if Li Zhihe took these supplies and exchanged money with others. It was very lacking.

Fan Zhongyan also said: "After I go back, I will also order people to escort a batch of supplies. The soldiers can't come, and the supplies must be guaranteed. This time it's up to you."

Su Jin thanked him again, with more than half of his heart relieved, according to the strong city, although [-] is at a disadvantage against [-], but even if it is a fight to the death, the Xixia army must not let the Xixia army please it; At least half of the opponent's troops should be eaten away, so that the Xixia army has no power to drive straight in. If this can be done, even if Weizhou is lost, it is worthwhile from a strategic point of view.

The three of them studied some more details, and at the end of the day, when the scorching heat of the sun was a little lighter, Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan bid farewell and left.Su Jin sent the two of them back to the government office, and followed the returning dynasty to hand in two letters, one was from Yan Shu and the other was from Yan Biyun. Su Jin hurried back to the inner hall to open the letters and read them.

In Yan Shu's letter, he was very gratified that Su Jin had made many outstanding achievements as soon as he came to the Northwest. The lack of seniority prevented Zhao Zhen from appointing himself as the appeasement envoy of Jingyuan Road, but to Su Jin's surprise, Yan Shu did not propose the method of saving the country with a curve to replace the envoy. The person turned out to be Ouyang Xiu.

Su Jin smiled secretly, Ouyang Xiu was old and cunning, and he taught Du Yan and others that they could not object when he made a move. The position of acting road envoy was not really appointed, and besides, Jingyuan Road is an important border area that cannot be vacant. The candidate proposed by Du Yan and others A few were rejected by Zhao Zhen, and in the end they had to agree to be temporarily replaced by Su Jin. The two governments slowly discussed suitable candidates, and they would replace them when there were suitable candidates.

Su Jin understands what Ouyang Xiu meant, as long as he doesn't make mistakes, even if it is useless, the envoy will eventually become a formal one. After a long time, there will be no talk of junior seniority. As long as Zhao Zhen vetoes a few more candidates , the two governments also had to admit this fact.

After Su Jin finished reading Yan Shu's letter, he set fire to the letter paper, stretched out his hand and picked up Yan Biyun's letter on the case, there were only a few words written on the square letter paper: Her Majesty, Your Majesty.Su Jin's heart warmed, she picked up the envelope and put it under her nose to sniff gently, a light fragrance came in through her nose, it was the smell of spices that Yan Biyun usually used, Su Jin took out the white silk inside and slowly unfolded it, slowly read up.

"My husband Su Jin, the letter is well, my concubine Biyun greeted my husband,... Recently the dynasty came back, and brought a letter from my husband and the news of Weizhou. The whole family rejoiced and rejoiced, and the concubine couldn't help but "Reading the words in the king's letter is like standing in front of your eyes, and you can't help but wet your breasts with tears."

"I think you and I have known each other for more than a year. Since the day we met, it seems that there are only two times that we are separated by thousands of miles. Wanli away; my concubine is not a hypocritical person, so I should speak out when I have something to say, even though we have been away for half a month, my concubine is already in love, and every time I dream back at midnight, I dream that my husband is coming back, and when I wake up, my heart is broken."

Su Jin breathed a sigh of relief and continued to read.

"This concubine knows that my husband went to the bitter cold place in the northwest for the sake of the Su family. A good man should be a good man to build a career for the family. The concubine's intention is not to hold you back, but out of true feelings. I would never It was revealed; Rou Niang, Huan Niang, Xian'er and the others also miss her very much, but they don't show it in front of the servants, they are all good girls who are sincere, sincere, and know how to be polite, how lucky is my husband."

"I don't know how the situation in the northwest is. The dynasty only said that everything is going well, and the rest is silent, but the slave family knows that it must not be an understatement of what he said. The dynasty returned to Beijing this time to escort several prisoners. The slave family inquired privately. It was Weizhou officials who were sent to Beijing, presumably it was my husband's fault, it is inconvenient for my concubine to ask more about military and state affairs, but I remind my husband to be careful and not to act recklessly, even if you don't make trouble for my concubine and others, you must also be for my mother-in-law Think about it, and also think about the child in my womb, now that you are a father, when you act, you naturally have to think twice and be cautious first, just as everyone in the family must take care of themselves."

Su Jin seemed to see Yan Biyun standing in front of her gracefully, gently poking her forehead to teach herself a lesson, and a strange sense of happiness filled her heart. Being cared for by others is undoubtedly a kind of happiness.

"Speaking of the baby, there are still four months before the delivery date. Doctor Meng said that November is the delivery date. Husband remembers the date and don't forget to come back. No matter if it's a boy or a girl, it's the eldest daughter of Su's family. The mother-in-law asked the slave family to bring the message, if you miss it, you will be driven out of the Su family with a big crutch and you will not be allowed to enter the door, this is the mother-in-law's words, not the slave family's words, if you want to blame the husband, don't blame me."

The corners of Su Jin's mouth turned up, and she continued to read with a smile: "The baby's mother-in-law has already given a few nicknames, but his father can only get the big one. You can come up with a famous name in your spare time, his father His name means "Splendid Mountains and Rivers" and implies the connotation of prosperity and prosperity, and the child's life can't be worse than his father's, husband, don't forget it."

Su Jin was stunned for a moment, it turned out that he was going to be a father, but he was not used to it.

"All the Northwest specialties brought back by Husband Tuo Dynasty have been received, and the business at home is as usual. After you left, Rouniang Huanniang helped the slaves a lot. Their sisters are good at doing business. The shopkeeper Zhang from Luzhou also sent a letter, Luzhou Everything is fine, husband don't worry about it; you must take care of yourself and the people around you when you are away from home, Miss Xia is a delicate person, husband must not speak ill of her, she is also a person with a hard life."

"I have talked a lot. My family is not a talkative person, but now it has become chattering. My husband must have been tired of watching it. My husband is busy with government affairs. You should cherish it. If you miss your family, you can write every month. When the family letter comes back, Qie will also reply each month to inform the family situation; from today onwards, every night when there is moonlight, the concubine will wish her husband safe and sound, and the husband's words are well said: I hope you will live a long time, and we will share the joys and joys of thousands of miles away, Will my husband also be like my slave family, sharing a bright moon and spreading lovesickness for thousands of miles? My concubine, Biyun, will pay my respects again, and wish my husband all the best."

Su Jin concealed his silence, only felt a pity in his heart, felt his face was a little wet, reached out to touch it, and tears fell from the corners of his eyes at some point.