The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

() "Forget it, Han Jiang, you can go and reply to the Xia envoy. The border demarcation can be agreed, and the talk of withdrawing troops can be dropped. This is our own domestic military policy, and there is no need to bring it to the table for negotiation."

Han Jiang was gloomy and bowed in agreement.

"Continue to talk, other people are not allowed to intervene, and we will discuss it after Han Jiang finishes speaking." Zhao Zhen didn't want to see the noisy appearance.

"The second article is that the Xia envoy proposed to reduce the compensation for the monetary and grain payments that were initially requested, and only asked for the amount to be restored to the level negotiated by the Shenzong Dynasty, which was still 13 silk, 5 taels of silver and [-] catties Tea, so far follows the old system and will never change."

"The third item is that the Xia Envoy prayed to the Great Song Dynasty to open up the mutual market in Yanbian, open up bilateral trade, promised to send a large amount of green salt, fur, beef, mutton, and meat to my Song Dynasty in exchange for rice, cotton, etc., and prayed to send craftsmen to help the Xia people. Cast houses and build cars, imitate my Song Dynasty to build houses, and learn the words and deeds of my Song Dynasty state of etiquette."

Han Jiang said the remaining two in one breath, and finally said: "I think that this time the Xia people are sincere. These two words are not exaggerated, and the attitude is humble, the words are polite, and the emperor governs the country with benevolence. , I can finally influence these barbarians." ..

Zhao Zhen was in a good mood, and said with a smile: "Li Yuanhao finally gave in, and these three proposals are considered sincere. The ministers think that these three proposals can be accepted except for the proposal to withdraw troops and be deleted according to Fan Aiqing's intention?"

The ministers were all smiles, and congratulated each other loudly: "This peace agreement is expected to be completed in the future. My Song Dynasty has finally put down the chaos of the Western Thieves. Congratulations to the emperor and congratulations to the emperor."

Zhao Zhen said with a smile: "It's all because of your love for the country. I dare not take credit for you. I am very happy that the border can finally have a long period of peace and stability, and the millions of people in the northwest can finally return to their homeland." Live a stable life, this is the joy of my Song Dynasty, the joy of the court."

In the midst of the enthusiasm, Zhao Zhen caught a glimpse of Yan Shu, Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi, Fu Bi, and others showing no sense of joy on their faces, and his heart skipped a beat. These people didn't look happy at all. Could it be that they were not happy with such a favorable condition? Are you satisfied?

Zhao Zhen had to figure out the situation. He understood that these people were people he could rely on. Although he was the emperor, he was actually less sensitive to political affairs than they were. Zhao Zhen knew himself, so he had a benevolent king. It is said that benevolence lies in the fact that he can be magnanimous, he can respect the virtuous, he can know his mistakes and correct them.

"Yan Aiqing, what do you think of these three agreements?" Zhao Zhen had to ask them to express their views, otherwise he would feel uneasy.

With a serious expression, Yan Shu shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, the old minister hasn't thought it through yet, I just suggest not to agree to it rashly."

Most people understood what Yan Shu meant. This is a man who knows everything from one source to another. With Yan Shu's ingenuity, how could he be slow to respond to the three simple terms of the peace agreement? The intention to ask the emperor to postpone the agreement is to reserve opinions. I just don't want to publicly object.

Zhao Zhen wanted to ask Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi, but he saw that the faces of these two people were very stinky, and he didn't want to spoil the scenery in the court, so he asked Su Jin who had a calm face, this son should not be like Han Fan He is thin and tough, but his attitude more or less represents the attitude of the three Northwest officials.

"Su Jin, tell me what you think about these three items." Zhao Zhen looked at Su Jin with a smile.

Su Jin pointed to his nose and asked, "Me?"

The officials laughed, and Zhao Zhen laughed too: "Are you distracted? Are you in a hurry to go home to announce the good news?"

Su Jin smiled and said: "The emperor made fun of it, why didn't the emperor ask Fan Shuai and Han Shuai for their opinions?"

Zhao Zhen thought it was funny, tilted his head and said, "I will ask you one by one, and I will ask you first."

Su Jin said: "I don't want to say."

Zhao Zhen said in amazement, "Why don't you want to say it?"

Su Jin said: "Because... I am afraid that I will offend people."

Zhao Zhen said: "Say, I told you to tell."

Su Jin took a breath, suppressed the smile on his face, and said solemnly: "Please forgive me for the crime of disrespect first."

Zhao Zhen smiled and said: "I ask you to give an opinion, but there are so many tricks. I'm sorry, but don't talk about it."

Su Jin cupped his hands in thanks, glanced at his gaze, and finally stayed on Han Jiang, and suddenly pointed at Han Jiang and cursed: "What the hell are you negotiators for? Do you have any brains? How dare you bring up such an obvious traitorous clause in the court, and your book reads like a dog? You are an idiot, but thanks to you, you are still second in this subject, and I feel ashamed to be on the same list as you!"

All the civil and military officials were petrified, and their eyeballs danced around on the ground. As soon as Su Jin opened his mouth, he began to scold the street like a shrew, and insulted Han Jiang in front of the emperor and in front of all the officials. Han Jiang is also a fifth-rank official. Now He is also a popular person in front of the emperor, recommended by Du Yan to serve as the negotiating envoy of the Xia people, and his father, Han Yi, was a veteran of the two dynasties, everyone should give him some face, Su Jin actually insulted him like this, This is too outrageous.

Han Jiang's mind was in a daze. Why did Su Jin suddenly yell at him? He and Su Jin had nothing to do with each other. This negotiation can be considered as a wholehearted effort, and the three clauses also won the approval of the emperor. How did this touch Su Jin's heart? Reversed?

Han Jiang was already dissatisfied with Su Jin, and naturally refused to be humiliated at the moment, and immediately counterattacked after reacting: "Master Su, I insist on your words, this is above the court, you scold the street like a villain, spread the word Let people see the jokes of our Great Song Dynasty court, I don’t want to argue with you; Your Majesty, I ask you to let Lord Su tell the reason for insulting me. I have a clean, loyal and filial family, and I have been criticized for no reason. justice."

Zhao Zhen regretted not falling, why did he forget that Su Jin was not a fuel-efficient lamp in the first place, he thought that he became an official, and after several months of hardships in the Northwest, he would be much calmer, but he still had the same virtue, this time it was even worse , To actually insult his colleagues, this trend must not last long.

"Su Jin, you are too presumptuous." Zhao Zhen said angrily.

"Su Jin, do you take the emperor and the ministers seriously? This is the court, and you are no longer a businessman, please respect yourself." Du Yan echoed without losing the opportunity.

Although Xia Song didn't speak, he was full of gloating, which was a situation he liked to hear. Su Jin, a stunned young man, had offended everyone this time.

Su Jin sneered and said: "It's ridiculous, scolding is still light. Tens of thousands of soldiers in the northwest spilled blood on the battlefield, and the fruits of victory in exchange were squandered by these ignorant people. I scold you Han Jiang because I think you are worthy of scolding. If I don't Curse you, tens of thousands of heroic spirits in the northwest are afraid to pester you every day to explain."

"Su Jin, if you talk nonsense again, I won't tolerate you." Zhao Zhen's face turned pale with anger, this kid was too worried.

Su Jinping regained his composure, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I would like to resign from office and go into seclusion. I will quit."

Zhao Zhen was trembling with anger, and said angrily: "Do you think going in and out of the court is like a child's play? You can speak up if you have something to say, and you don't have to insult your colleagues and lose your demeanor. You are now a high-ranking member of the Northwest. What kind of weapon do you become by being so impulsive? You I'm so disappointed."

Yan Shu quickly stopped Su Jin and said, "Su Jin quickly admit your mistake to the emperor, why don't you change your temper? Don't you know what to say?"

Su Jin said: "Your Majesty, of course I have to tell the reason for scolding him. If you think I should apologize, then I will apologize."

Zhao Zhen patted the armrest and said, "Then why don't you say it quickly?"

Su Jin reached out and took off the Putou official hat on his head, and then took off his official uniform and put it on his arm, looking like he was about to resign from office and go back to hiding. speak out.

"Your Majesty, my lords, I would like to ask all of you here, why did the war between me and the Western Thieves start?"

Someone said: "Then there is no need to ask? Naturally, the western thieves judge the country to stand on its own, and then our army will conquer it."

Su Jin sneered and said: "It's hard for anyone to remember this. The Xia people were originally our territory of the Song Dynasty. The reason for conquering them was because of the rebellion against the Song Dynasty. In fact, the Song Dynasty has long since lost control of the Xia people. It’s because of embarrassment, and I’m afraid that other vassal states will follow suit, am I right?”

Everyone was silent, Zhao Zhen naturally knew that Su Jin had said what everyone was thinking, and Da Song was really embarrassed, so he launched an army to attack the self-reliant Li Yuanhao, but in fact, before that, he could not give orders to the Xia people. Of course, I can't blame myself for this. This situation already existed after the army was defeated by Xixia in the Taizu Taizong Dynasty. It's just that the Xia people were well-behaved at that time and became ministers to the Song Dynasty, so they could get along with face, so it was nothing.

Su Jin continued: "This is the cause of the war, so what is the premise of the terms of the peace negotiation now? Is it a peace negotiation for the sake of peace negotiation? Then why did you send troops to crusade? Isn't this just slapping your own mouth? Besides, the Northwest War is now The reversal, the party members came back in a big defeat. At this time, it is not we who want to negotiate peace, but Li Yuanhao urgently needs to negotiate peace. At this time, the initiative of the negotiation is in our hands. Why did I not see a word in the negotiation terms that mentioned letting the Xia people Cancel the establishment of the country? This is the main premise of the negotiation."

Everyone suddenly realized, yes, the rebellion against the Song Dynasty and the founding of the country was the trigger, and the peace agreement is naturally to let the Xia people cancel the establishment of the country, so that they will return to the old way, and the face can be regarded as passing, otherwise it is really a self-slap in the face, for the sake of the peace agreement. It was negotiated.

Zhao Zhen nodded secretly. It's not that he didn't think of this, he just felt that if he proposed this, the negotiation between the two parties would inevitably break down. Zhao Zhen didn't want to fight anymore, so he pretended to be confused.

"Master Su, do you think Xia Ren will agree to your wishful thinking?" Du Yan said coldly.

Su Jin said angrily: "Do they agree or not? Is it necessary for us to consider for them? Why didn't Li Yuanhao ask us if we agreed when he led the army to attack Song Dynasty?"

"Then what if the party members don't agree with this premise? Should we continue fighting?" Xia Song asked.

Su Jin sneered and said: "This is the premise of the peace negotiation. Regardless of whether they agree or not, it at least shows that my Song Dynasty does not tolerate betrayal. Otherwise, several vassal states in the southeast and northwest will think that my Da Song's attitude towards betrayal is connivance. The issue of party members is related to the attitudes of all parties, many eyes are watching us, how can we let the Xia people get away with it."

"But... if you fight again, you have the confidence to win again? Wouldn't it be good to accept it as soon as you see it? It's too late." Deputy Prime Minister Zhang De seemed to be rash.

Su Jindao: "No one can guarantee victory. At the time, Taizu's elite soldiers were like clouds, and the Dangxiang people were still a weak tribe at that time, and they couldn't conquer them. Now the soldiers are not as good as Taizu's soldiers. Xia has also become a climate, and it is not easy to conquer them under the ebb and flow of each other. Besides, the three kingdoms of Song, Xia and Liao are at the same level, and the destruction of Xia will lead to Liao's alliance with it, which will bring disaster instead, so I do not advocate continuing to use troops; but This does not hinder the premise of our negotiation; if they don't agree, we will continue to fight, the Xia people can consume us more?"

Everyone understood Su Jin's meaning. Su Jin's meaning was very clear. The face must be recovered. The Xia people are unable to fight anymore. Even if the peace talks fail, at least the status quo will be maintained. But for the surrounding countries, it has shown an attitude that they will not allow betrayal .

"That's not the only thing that should scold you." Su Jin pointed the finger at Han Jiang here, and Han Jiang couldn't even stand up because of his grief and indignation.