I studied in modern times

Chapter 721 Yelu Hongji: I only want silver!

In early spring of February, the weather is still cold and the temperature in Bianjing may still be below five degrees.

The weather is nice today. Zhao Xu accompanied Empress Dowager Xiang for a stroll in the garden behind Baoci Palace.

"Mother, I heard that the Grand Mother intends to summon Lu Jinglü from Hedong to serve as an official in the court?" Zhao Xu asked.

"Hmm!" Empress Dowager Xiang was quite resistant to this matter.

In her heart, Lu Huiqing was much more hateful.

After all, it was Lu Huiqing who used her father's authority to enforce the exemption from execution.

As a result, Xiang Jing was forced to leave Qingzhou and later died of illness.

She didn't even see her father for the last time!
Why did Lu Huiqing dare to use her father to establish her authority?
Isn’t it because her daughter, although she is the queen, is not loved by the late emperor?

Isn’t it because all the children she gave birth to died young, leaving her helpless and helpless?
Therefore, it was impossible for Empress Dowager Xiang to forgive Lu Huiqing.

But the Empress Dowager suddenly changed her attitude.

I think this Lu Huiqing might be useful!
"The Empress of Qingshou Palace believes that Lu Huiqing is an isolated minister who is ostracized by other ministers and criticized by the world. If he is employed, he will definitely be a good minister to the country." The Empress Dowager Xiang sighed softly.

This is the impact of Zeng Zhao's false accusation of Ye Kangzhi many years ago.

After the Zeng Zhao incident, the Qingshou Palace was not very satisfied with the current political situation.

I don't know what she was thinking.

In short, according to the information leaked by Liang Congzheng, the Empress Dowager believed that Lu Huiqing was isolated by the court and the public, and was criticized by the ministers.

This is a lonely minister!

If I use him in an important position, will he be grateful to me?
In short, it’s awesome!
Anyway, the Qingshou Palace is now looking forward to Lu Huiqing.

I don't care about Lu Huiqing's reputation and past at all.

This is also understandable.

After all, Lu Huiqing had only offended the Xiang family back then, and had not yet touched the Gao family's reverse scale.

Unlike Wang Anshi, who introduced the exemption law, reformed the royal family, and cut the salaries of the three guards, six guards and sanitation officials.

As a result, people came to the palace to cry and complain every day.

Zhao Xu held Empress Dowager Xiang's hand and said, "But I heard that Lü Jinglie of Hedong had offended my grandfather, so that he had to be the governor of Qingzhou and could not return..."

Empress Dowager Xiang listened and said softly: "It's all in the past..."

"It's okay not to mention it!"

Zhao Xu naturally knew that Empress Dowager Xiang's hatred for Lu Huiqing had never diminished, so he said: "Although my mother is kind and forgiving, it is still difficult for me to accept that a minister who once forced my grandfather to return to the court..."

After listening to this, Empress Dowager Xiang felt much better.

Although she knew that Zhao Xu was probably just trying to coax her.

But at least, this child is willing to coax her!
So she said softly: "I am very satisfied that Sixth Brother can have such filial piety."

"As for Lu Huiqing..."

"After all, he is a minister trusted by the late emperor, and a capable minister used by the late emperor."

"What's more..." Empress Dowager Xiang looked at Zhao Xu and said, "Sixth brother is the Son of Heaven. The Son of Heaven is the supreme ruler of the universe, so he should have a heart that embraces the world."

"Ministers should be treated with respect and dignity, so as to win the hearts of the people!"

She said these words sincerely.

But how much of it was sincere? How much was false? Only she knew.

Zhao Xu took the opportunity to ride down the hill and said, "I will remember your teachings, mother."

"It's just... I'm still not happy... I still want to teach Lu Jinglue a lesson, so that he will remember it..."

Empress Dowager Xiang looked at Zhao Xu's childish appearance, reached out her hand and touched the child's head. For some reason, the hatred she had for Lu Huiqing in her heart actually subsided a little.

So, she took the initiative to change the subject and said, "Sixth brother, have you read the joint memorial submitted by Xihe Jinglüe, Xiang Zonghui, and Gao Gongji a few days ago?"

Zhao Xu nodded: "I have read it."

"Prime Minister Zhao wrote a letter to ask for his remains to be buried, hoping to retire and live out his days... But Xiang Zonghui and Gao Gongji said that Xihe was poor and miserable, and begged to return to Bianjing..."

"What does Sixth Brother think?" asked the Queen Mother.
Zhao Xie begged for his remains and wanted to retire, which was purely a way of taking advantage of the situation.

It was intended to remind the court - look at me!
This is a typical move of retreating to advance, intending to grab the biggest piece of the pie first when the court rewards the generals for their merits.

As for Xiang Zonghui and Gao Gongji, they kept saying that Xihe was poor and miserable, and they also shouted that there was not even a place to drink in the area.

It seems that they are picky, but in fact they are just cooperating in the acting to give Zhao Xu and the court a reason to take them down.

Let's see...

It is not that the court is getting rid of the donkey after it has served its purpose, nor is it that the emperor cannot tolerate the meritorious service of his relatives by marriage.

It was because they had no willpower, so they thought about returning to Bian Jing to live as retired officials.

Zhao Xu only hesitated for a moment, then said: "Prime Minister Zhao, you have been in charge of Xihe, teaching and fighting, making Xihe look brand new. Last year, you led the army to repel the Western bandits, and you also won the ghost chapter that the emperor father offered a reward for his capture..."

"It can be said that he has made great contributions to the country. He should be rewarded and appointed to the court... and appointed as one of the six ministries..."

Originally, Zhao Xie's military achievements were enough to make him a ruler.

He is even qualified to be appointed as prime minister.

After all, Xihe achieved the most results in last year's battle.

According to Xihe's own report and verification by the Privy Council, Xihe's battle results have reached the peak of single-time prisoners captured by the Song Dynasty in foreign wars since the opening of Xihe.

More than 9,450 heads were beheaded and more than 38,700 were captured alive.

Although most of the beheadings and prisoners were taken from the Tibetans - in the battle of Xige City alone, more than 3,000 heads were beheaded, and more than 17,000 people from various Tibetan tribes were surrendered or captured.

But military merit is military merit!
They would not deny Zhao Xie’s military achievements just because most of them came from Tubo.

Otherwise, Master Wen would be embarrassed - the rebellion in Beizhou that he talked about every day was actually the suppression of the Maitreya followers.

But the problem with Zhao Xie was that he had close contacts with Xiang Zonghui and Gao Gongji.

It would be better if he didn’t worship the prime minister.

Once he was appointed as prime minister, his relationships with Xiang Zonghui and Gao Gongji would be used to attack him.

By that time, his military achievements will become his crimes.

what you up to?
Say!
Do you want to collude with external relatives to endanger the Song Dynasty?
This kind of thing is inexplicable.

Because it requires proving one's innocence, and since ancient times, no one has been able to prove one's innocence in such matters.

After all, all the ministers need to do is suspect you of having second thoughts.

But there are too many things you have to prove yourself.

When Empress Dowager Xiang heard this, she also frowned and asked, "One of the six ministries?"

"Brother Six..."

"It's not that I'm suspicious. I think, for Mr. Zhao's sake, it's best to buy him some military equipment..."

"You can be appointed as a Jiedushi, or be appointed as the commander of the Palace Guards or the Imperial Guards, or even as the deputy commander or the commander-in-chief."

Zhao Xu hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "I'll give it a try..."

In the Song Dynasty, few people would choose to exchange civil officials for military positions.

Back then, Shaanxi was in crisis, and Ren Miao intended to allow Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi, who were in Shaanxi at the time, to exchange their military qualifications.

Then, Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi jumped up, and they looked as if it was the end of the world and the Song Dynasty was going to perish.

Lian Fan and Han are both like this.

Don't even think about others.

The higher the status of the civil officials, the less willing they are to exchange their military qualifications.

On the contrary, military officials would like to exchange for civil positions whenever they have the chance.

There are people willing to do it even if it means being demoted three levels!

Empress Dowager Xiang nodded and said, "If Mr. Zhao is willing, then do your best to show your kindness... If you really don't want to, then don't say anything more."

Having said this, she continued, "As for these two hotshots, Xiang Zonghui and Gao Gongji..."

"He refuses to be a good official and insists on returning to Beijing..."

"Mud can't hold up the wall!"

"Sixth brother, just watch and see what happens!"

Zhao Xu smiled: "Mother, there are many things to do along the way in Xihe, and I am afraid that we cannot do without the two of you."

"When they return to the capital, I will try to persuade them... Please stay in Xihe and work hard for the country for another year or two..."

"I will never treat you unfairly!"

The Queen Mother nodded and said, "Sixth Brother, make your own decision."

"The Queen of Qingshou Palace and I will teach those two idiots a lesson!"

……

The Hunhe River in early spring is still covered with thick ice.

The imperial attendants of Liao ruler Yelu Hongji had already chiseled a hole in the ice.

Fishing rods are lowered into the ice holes, fishing for big fish under the ice.

Yelu Hongji was watching from afar and was also itching to go fishing - he and his father, Yelu Zongzhen, Emperor Xingzong of Liao, were both experienced fishermen.

Yelu Zongzhen died of a sudden serious illness on his way to go fishing.

After Yelu Hongji ascended the throne, he was always addicted to fishing and hunting.

But... this time when he came to the palace in Hunhe River, he brought Yelu Yanxi with him.

In order to set an example, Yelu Hongji did not bring any fishing gear when he came to Hunhe River this time, and he did not even bring his favorite Saker Falcon.

but……

When he saw people fishing on the ice, his fishing addiction was aroused.

He began to regret not bringing his favorite fishing gear.

Otherwise, he guaranteed that he would be able to catch the biggest fish today!

Reluctantly suppressing the urge to rush onto the ice, grab a fishing gear, and start fishing, Yelu Hongji said to Yelu Yanxi who was following him: "Yanxi..."

"You must remember that fishing and hunting are not what a ruler should do."

"Before the late emperor passed away, he held my hand and taught me that if I wanted to work hard to govern the country, I had to stop doing things that would ruin my life!"

Yes, this was indeed his father’s last teaching!

At that time, in order to let Yelu Hongji know the dangers of fishing and the disadvantages of hunting.

Emperor Xingzong of Liao ordered his people to release all his beloved eagles in front of Yelu Hongji, smash all the precious eagle cages, and destroy all the exquisite and precious fishing gear and burn them.

However, in the first year after Yelu Hongji ascended the throne, he began hunting and fishing under the banner of Nabo.

At the same time, he began to raise better Saker Falcons than his father and used more sophisticated fishing gear.

But it was precisely for this reason that Yelu Hongji was particularly strict in educating Yelu Yanxi.

When Yelu Yanxi was around, he would never go fishing or release hawks.

He was afraid of Yelu Yanxi, who, like him, had fallen in love with fishing and hunting after witnessing his father fishing and releasing hawks every day.

To the extent that he did not care much about state affairs for a time, and the Yelu Chongyuan and Yelu Yixin rebellions occurred one after another.

Yelu Yanxi nodded: "Yes!"

"Sun Chen will follow the teachings of his grandfather!"

"Yeah!" Yelu Hongji nodded with satisfaction.

Although this grandson is not very smart, he is very satisfied with his obedience and compliance with rules.

At least so far, Yelu Yanxi neither fishes nor loves eagles.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

Yelu Hongji was about to continue teaching when Zhao Xiaoyan, a close minister beside him, hurried to him and bowed, saying, "Secret report from the Southern Dynasty."

After listening to this, Yelu Hongji immediately turned to look at Zhao Xiaoyan, and took the secret report handed to him by Zhao Xiaoyan.

He checked the sealing wax on the secret letter and confirmed that it was not damaged before he opened it.

Then he lowered his head to review it, and Yelu Hongji immediately shook his head: "This Southern Dynasty is too stingy."

"You actually want me to exchange gold and silver for Jiaozi!"

As he said this, Yelu Hongji curled his lips.

However, the memorials submitted by Yelu Ju and Yelu Yongchang about the new cotton cloth, icing sugar and other items produced in the Southern Dynasty were very good things and made him quite interested.

In addition, the prices of silk, satin, and linen in the Southern Dynasties were also very reasonable.

The price offered by Yelu Ju and Yelu Yongchang made Yelu Hongji very excited!

In particular, these two men reported that they had purchased 1,000 kilograms of icing sugar, 5,000 rolls of cotton, 10,000 rolls of linen, and 10,000 rolls of silk.

These things are already on their way back to the country.

The two of them picked out the best ones and ordered them to be sent back by express horse, estimating that they would be delivered to the emperor soon.

This made Yelu Hongji quite looking forward to it.

After all, last year, the Liao Kingdom made a fortune by purchasing tea from the Southern Dynasty.

Hundreds of thousands of kilograms of tea not only alleviated Yelu Hongji's military expenditure problem to a certain extent.

He also took tea as a reward and gave it to the leaders of the Bohai, Jurchen, and Zubu tribes, as well as the civil and military nobles of Goryeo who surrendered.

In addition, fine wines such as Yuye Liquor and Tianxianzui imported from the Southern Dynasty became his trump cards.

The leaders of the various Zhubu tribes wanted to drink good wine.

Some people were even willing to send troops to follow the orders of the Liao emperor and conquer Goryeo.

Now, the Southern Dynasty has come up with something new.

Called cotton cloth, frosting?
The former should be some kind of cloth, the latter...

Sugar like frosting?

Yelu Hongji immediately became excited!

A few days later, the treasures from the Southern Dynasty were delivered to Yelu Hongji.

In order to deliver it to you quickly, there aren't many things.

It was just two rolls of embroidered cotton and a box of icing sugar.

Yelu Hongji couldn't wait to take these things in his hands at the first moment.

The emperor of the Liao Dynasty stroked the delicate and thick cotton cloth, feeling the texture of the fabric.

"Not bad!"

"It's good cloth!"

"Fifteen strings of cash per piece is a reasonable price indeed!"

Yes, Yelu Ju and Yelu Yongchang took the preferential treatment from the Southern Dynasty without hesitation.

But Yelu Hongji just thought that the cotton cloth was good.

After all, he had mink clothes to wear and didn't need this kind of cotton cloth.

So he turned his head and looked at the exquisite lacquer box.

He picked up the key and opened the lacquer box, which contained something wrapped in silk.

Yelu Hongji reached out and untied the silk cloth.

Then, pieces of crystal clear objects that looked like ice cubes appeared in front of Yelu Hongji.

He picked up one of the pieces, held it in front of his eyes, looked at it for a moment, and then smelled it.

After thinking for a moment, Yelu Hongji looked at an eunuch beside him.

"Come closer now."

He held the so-called frosting and said, "Eat it!"

The eunuch bent down and crawled in front of Yelu Hongji, carefully took the thing, then mustered up his courage and swallowed it into his mouth.

The next second, the eunuch's eyes widened with disbelief on his face.

"What's the matter?" Yelu Hongji asked.

The eunuch, with tears in his eyes, fell to the ground and said, "I'm telling you all... sweet!"

"I have never tasted anything so sweet and delicious!"

“It’s so sweet!”

Yelu Hongji listened and picked up another piece of icing.

He licked his lips, suppressing the urge to taste it immediately, and waited for a moment. After confirming that there was nothing unusual about the eunuch, he opened his mouth and put the icing in his hand into the last.

next second.

Yelu Hongji's pupils suddenly dilated.

"sweet!"

"So sweet!"

The Liao emperor praised it repeatedly and was extremely satisfied with the Southern Dynasty's icing.

The only problem is...

This thing is so expensive!
One pound costs two thousand five hundred coins!

Moreover, the Southern Dynasty was only willing to sell one thousand kilograms!

Too little!
"Silver...silver..." Yelu Hongji murmured after putting down the box in his hand.

Then, he seemed to remember something.

"Mr. Zhao!" He called his Hanlin scholar Zhao Xiaoyan.

"I'm here!" Zhao Xiaoyan immediately appeared in front of him.

"I will issue an imperial edict to Xiaobudaye, the Pyongyang Recruiting Envoy..."

Zhao Xiaoyan immediately knelt down and bowed, saying, "I respectfully hear your virtuous message..."

The eunuchs in the tent immediately brought a desk to Zhao Xiaoyan and presented him with writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone.

Yelu Hongji stood up and walked into the tent.

After Zhao Xiaoyan was ready, he slowly said: "Xiao Budaya, the Pyongyang Recruiting Envoy, has made great contributions to the management of Da'an Island and the smelting of silver mines for the court. I highly commend him..."

"He will appoint Xiaobudaye as the silver-seeking envoy to the East China Sea Islands. If necessary, he can command the navy ships to search for silver for the country!"

This means relaxing the restrictions on Xiao Budaye and allowing him to act according to his own ideas!
Now, Yelu Hongji only wants silver.

More is better!

He no longer cared about what means Xiao Budaye used to get the money.

As long as Xiao Budaya can send the silver, he will be a meritorious official of Yelu Hongji!
(End of this chapter)