big song poppi

Chapter 576 0573 [Ma Kuo returns to Beijing]

Handing the siblings to the nanny, Han Zhen and Ma Shuyao went to An Niang's attic together.

As soon as I entered the door, I heard a high-pitched cry.

"Oh, his voice is really loud. He looks like a big fat boy."

Han Zhen smiled and pushed open the door and stepped in.

An Niang leaned on the bed like a normal person, and took the initiative to say hello: "My husband is here."

Han Zhen asked with concern: "How do you feel?"

"It's more like giving birth. It's much lighter."

An Niang's words caused all the nuns and nannies in the room to cover their mouths and snicker.

Han Zhen chuckled and said, "It's good to have the baby. There has been no movement before. I was always on tenterhooks."

Po Wen stepped forward to announce the good news: "Congratulations to your majesty, congratulations to your majesty, the little prince is in good health and weighs a full seven pounds."

"reward!"

Han Zhen was in a good mood and waved his hand.

Each person took a red envelope, and the two stable women left with a lot of gratitude.

For them, this delivery was so easy and it was over in less than a quarter of an hour.

Besides, everyone in the capital knows that His Majesty spends money lavishly. Even though the red envelope is thin, it contains nothing but green money.

When he came to the bed, looking at the little guy with his eyes closed, Han Zhen said softly: "The eyebrows seem to be more like yours."

"He's just born, so you can't see his facial features."

An Niang shook her head and laughed, and then said: "Besides, it is better for boys to be more like Erlang, brave and masculine."

Ma Shuyao on the side was surprised and said: "When Sister Run and Sister Di were giving birth, they were in so much pain that they felt like they were seriously ill. Sister An is actually fine."

An Niang pursed her lips and smiled: "Silly girl, people are different."

At this moment, An Niang's personal maid came in and reported in a low voice: "Your Majesty, Mr. Liu wants to see you for something."

Seeing this, An Niang said thoughtfully: "Erlang, please go and do your business. I'll be out of the way."

"it is good."

Han Zhen nodded, stood up and left.

After leaving the attic, Liu Chang immediately greeted him: "Your Majesty, Master Ma is about to arrive in Beijing. In addition, Mr. Zhang of the Military Department is asking for an audience. It seems that good news has come from Fujian."

Han Zhen ordered: "Arrange my dragon chariot to take Ma Qing to the palace."

Ma Kuo's journey was difficult and dangerous, but he not only completed the job, but also performed it perfectly.

The reason why the Northland strategic plan was able to proceed so smoothly was Ma Kuo.

"The slaves obey."

Liu Chang bowed and responded.

After the explanation, Han Zhen walked to Chui Gong Hall.

"I have met His Majesty."

Zhang Shuye was already waiting there.

After Han Zhen sat down, he said slightly apologetically: "Concubine De gave birth, I delayed it for a moment and made Zhang Qing wait for a long time."

"I congratulate Your Majesty on the birth of a prince."

Zhang Shuye hurriedly congratulated him.

Zhang Shuye was overjoyed to learn that Concubine De had given birth to a son. His Majesty finally had a son in his lap.

In fact, the Di family sisters had given birth to two princes, but both the court officials and the common people knew that these two princes were not worthy of the throne.

Li Erfeng only had some Xianbei blood, so he hurriedly took me out as his ancestor.

Yang Jian even claimed to be a descendant of the Yang family in Hongnong, just to prove that he was a pure Han'er.

It is well known that the Di sisters are from the Western Regions. Moreover, the two young princes followed their mother and have blue eyes, which completely eliminated the chance of becoming crown prince.

But An Niang is different. Although she is a widow, she is a Han woman.

At this time, the atmosphere was enlightened, and it was common for emperors to marry widows.

Not to mention the distant ones, the more recent Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty also married Liu E, the wife of Gong Mei, a folk silversmith. Liu E eventually became a queen, and her mother honored the world.

After the key person Liu E ascended to the position of queen, she also supported her ex-husband Gong Meiduo and regarded her as a younger brother. No one in the court said anything.

Han Zhen asked, "What's the matter with Zhang Qing?"

Zhang Shu reported at night: "Battle reports came from Fujian. At present, Jianzhou, Shaowu Army, Tingzhou, and Fuzhou have been recovered. Fang Wuxiangong, Xin Xingzong, Liu Guangshi and other bandit leaders have been captured and killed. Kuang Dushuai is gathering his troops. , encirclement and suppression of Nanjianzhou, and it is expected that Fujian will be completely captured within five days at the latest. "

"good."

Han Zhen showed a satisfied look on his face and chuckled: "Kuang Zixin did not disappoint me this time."

"but……"

Zhang Shuye changed his voice and continued: "However, the leader of the thieves, Fang Qifuo, and his adviser Lu Jiang escaped and are currently missing. Kuang Dushuai is searching for them with all their strength."

Han Zhen said in a deep voice: "This person must not be kept here. Tell Kuang Zixin that we will dig three feet into the ground to find him."

Fang Qifu himself is nothing, just a remnant of Fang La, and now he is just a bereaved dog.

What really made Han Zhen afraid was that this person had mastered the extraction and production methods of opium and was able to skillfully use opium to control others.

The reason why Liu Guangshi, Zhang Jun and other Fujian officials committed themselves to the thieves and obeyed his words was because they were addicted to opium.

Once Fang Qifu escapes, there is no guarantee that opium will not spread secretly among the people. It will be troublesome to think clearly by then.

"I accept the decree!"

Zhang Shuye didn't know, he just thought that Han Zhen had the intention of eradicating the roots.

……

Standing in front of the window on the second floor of the merchant ship, looking at the majestic Tokyo city in the distance, Ma Kuo felt excited.

I remember this was the same time last year when I left the capital and embarked on the road north.

In the blink of an eye, a year has passed by.

Before that, he had made several missions to Liao and Jin countries, but at that time he was full of grievances.

No matter how arrogant and arrogant he was, he was always arrogant and dismissive of the Liao and Jin Dynasties.

Without him, the country is weak!

But this time, it was completely different. Yelu Dashi treated him like a distinguished guest and killed the Jin envoy in front of Jian Nige, who had to greet him with a smile.

Just because there is a powerful country behind you, and it is the majesty that led the troops to fight for its great reputation.

A quarter of an hour later, the merchant ship docked at the dock.

Ma Kuo and a group of Xuanjia Army guards stepped off the boat. As soon as they got out of the dock, they saw a eunuch coming up to them with a smile: "Ma Shangshu, we have been waiting for a long time."

Ma Kuo did not express his gratitude, but smiled and said, "I have found a noble man."

This behavior made the servant feel like a spring breeze, and sighed in his heart, no wonder he was favored by His Majesty and sent a dragon chariot to welcome him. With this approachable method, the Holy Family will surely prosper in the future.

"Shang Shu Ma is very polite. Your Majesty has sent a special chariot to welcome Mr. Ma into the palace."

Royal driver!

These two words made Ma Kuo slightly stunned, and the people watching broke into an uproar. The people of Tokyo City are very knowledgeable, and it is a great favor and honor to know that the emperor sends a dragon chariot to welcome his ministers.

Ma Kuai's eyes were slightly red, and he was extremely moved.

The chamberlain reminded: "Ma Shangshu, please come to the imperial chariot. Your Majesty is still waiting in the palace."

"Your Majesty is so kind to me, I am so grateful."

Ma Kuo saluted in the direction of the imperial city, lifted up the hem of his official uniform, and boarded the dragon chariot.

After Ma Kuo boarded the dragon chariot, the chamberlain looked at Zhang Dutou and others, took out a thousand-guan banknote from his sleeve pocket and handed it over, saying with a smile: "Your Majesty knows that you have worked hard, and allows you to rest for three days. After three days, Go back to the palace and declare your duties. This thousand gu is not a reward for military merit, but money for food and drinks from your own pocket, so that you can have a good rest in the capital these days."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Dutou and others looked overjoyed.

After receiving the money, a group of Xuanjia soldiers immediately knelt down and kowtowed several times towards the imperial city without caring about those vain people.

After getting up, Zhang Du looked at the big banknote in his hand and said with emotion: "Your Majesty is really brave!"

Lu Cheng and others all agreed: "That's right, your Majesty has never treated us badly!"

Zhang Dutou suggested: "Brothers, since His Majesty gave us this money to drink wine, then the brothers who died in the battle will naturally have a share. Even if they can't eat, they can still leave it to their wives, children and mothers to enjoy. I plan to use it from What do you think of giving five hundred guan to the families of the brothers who died in the battle?"

When this trip started, there were one hundred Xuanjia troops, but now there are less than forty people left after returning.

Some brothers accidentally fell off the cliff, and some were swallowed by quicksand, and even their bones could not be brought back.

Although the court will provide pensions, Zhang Dutou still wants to fight for more for the family members of his dead brothers.

"I agree!"

"There's nothing wrong with it, that's what you should do!"

"I agree too!"

All the Xuanjia soldiers agreed.

"Okay, let's do it!"

Zhang Dutou nodded with satisfaction and immediately smiled: "Five hundred dollars, I have never seen so much money in my life, where can we go to be cool?"

"That goes without saying, Fan Lou!"

"Fuck Fan Lou, is that a place that we mud-legged people can go to? Eat as much as you want. I'm afraid this little money won't even be enough to pay the bill."

"Then where did you say you were going?"

"I would say, it's better to find a foot shop casually, it's cheap and affordable, we brothers can have a good meal, and the remaining money can go to Ji'er Lane for three days of fun."

"You're not even afraid of dying on a woman's belly!"

After deliberation for a while, there was no consensus.

Zhang Dutou simply went to a bank and exchanged a thousand guan of green money for each person. Everyone got a dozen guan equally, so they could do whatever they wanted.

……

Riding the dragon chariot, Ma Kuo walked along the Royal Street to the palace.

Stepping into the Chui Gong Hall, looking at Han Zhen sitting on it, Ma Kuo bowed and said, "I pay homage to your Majesty, I'm glad you have fulfilled your destiny!"

Han Zhen looked at Ma Kuo and said, "Ma Qing has lost a lot of weight and has become darker."

Ma Kuan's nose was sore, he held back his tears, and replied: "These are nothing. I have come back after all. I just suffered a lot for the soldiers who escorted me. Some of them didn't even bring their bones back and buried them in other places."

Han Zhen said seriously: "Of course I will not treat the families of the dead soldiers and soldiers badly."

Ma Kuo bowed again and said: "On behalf of the fallen soldiers, I would like to thank your Majesty for your kindness."

Han Zhen ordered: "No need to be polite, just come and sit down."

Ma Kuo thanked him and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

When Ma Kuo sat down, Han Zhen asked, "How do you feel about this trip to the North?"

Hearing this, Ma Kuo said in a deep voice: "I have seen and heard a lot along the way. If I talk about my feelings, I feel that the Kingdom of Jin is not worth mentioning."

"Tell me more about it."

Han Zhen smiled slightly.

"The Jin Kingdom was able to fight its way out of the White Mountains and Black Waters. It was all due to its passion and the ability to fish and hunt since childhood. It was able to destroy the Liao Kingdom and replace it. Although the main reason was the decay and decline of the Liao Kingdom, it is undeniable that the Jurchens were indeed said to be brave, good at fighting, and full of force. "

Ma Kuo paused and then changed his voice: "However, few of the younger generation in the Jin Kingdom have achieved success. They suddenly came out of the wilderness and were immediately fascinated by the colorful world. They completely lost their previous bravery, and they also lost their courage. He lost the riding and shooting skills he had learned since childhood."

"In addition, the system of the Jin Kingdom was backward. Wanyan Wu begged to encourage the younger generation to learn Liao and Han culture, and at the same time suppressed the Khitan and Han'er. The court was completely controlled by the Jurchen nobles. In terms of policies towards the grassland tribes, He also made frequent stupid moves and arrogant methods, which made the people above the grassland angry. Even if His Majesty did nothing, he only had to stick to the Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures and prevent the Jin people from going south. It would not take more than ten or twenty years for the Jin Kingdom to be destroyed. It will inevitably fall apart, so I said that the Kingdom of Jin is not worth mentioning."

Han Zhen nodded secretly and agreed with Ma Kuo's analysis.

In fact, the main reason for the rapid rise of the Jin Kingdom in the original time and space was that the Liao, Song, and Xia Kingdoms were too weak.

These three countries all have their own problems, and they are difficult to recover from. Especially in terms of military strength, the decline is extremely serious.

Not to mention the prosperous Tang Dynasty, if the Jin people went south and encountered the gang of warriors from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the results would definitely be completely different.

Which one is easier to get along with, Chai Rong, Li Cunxiao, or Wang Yanzhang?
Once the military force that the Jin Kingdom is proud of cannot take advantage of it and cannot reap the dividends brought by the war, the huge shortcomings of the system will quickly appear.

The Jurchens who later established the Qing Dynasty were completely different. Nurhachi was a mature Jurchen who was highly sinicized, and his ancestors were officials canonized by the Ming Dynasty.

Since the beginning of his rebellion, he has established a relatively complete political structure and system.

Wanyan Aguda is a serious girl who has lived in a land of white mountains and black waters for a long time, almost isolated from the outside world.

Han Zhen asked again: "Where is the Yelv Stone?"

Ma Kuo commented: "Yelü Dashi has the vision, means and ambition. He is a great man of his generation, but he cannot make waves."

"Why?"

Han Zhen asked.

Ma Kuo answered truthfully: "Even if your majesty's arrangements in the north are put aside, the Yelu Dashi will not be able to become a climate. It is because the nobility of the Liao Kingdom has been completely corrupted and has completely lost the blood and bravery of the grassland people. They are not as versatile as Han'er. If the nobles have such a profound foundation, how can their soldiers be any better?"

This has to be said about the military system of the Liao Kingdom.

The Liao Kingdom was neither the recruitment system of the Song Dynasty nor the government military system of the early Tang Dynasty. It was a military service system in which all people were soldiers, which can be understood as a conscription system.

According to the "History of the Liao Dynasty: Military and Guard Records": According to the military system of the Liao State, all civilians aged between fifteen and below fifty are assigned military status. Each of the main soldiers has three horses, and there is one servant each for threshing the grass and grain, and guarding the camp store. ...The state-owned military affairs, tribes, states and counties gathered together to convey the message.

After all, the Khitans are nomads on the grassland, and the major nobles are the tribes that once existed on the grassland.

When there is a war, troops will be recruited from all over the country. The local nobles will serve as the generals of the army, and the children of the nobles will serve as captains.

Because of this, once the nobles die, where will the Liao army get its fighting strength?
After all, Yelu Dashi is a human being, not a god. He cannot lead such an army to defeat the mighty Jin army.

Yelu Dashi knew this in his heart, but he had no solution at all, because if he wanted to restore the country and gain a firm foothold, he could not do without the support of these Liao nobles.

"Ai Qing, this trip was not in vain."

Han Zhen looked pleased, and then continued to ask: "What do you think of Xixia?"

Ma Kuo mused: "Compared with the Jin and Liao countries, Xixia is better than the Jin and Liao countries. The military and political divisions are clearly divided. Civil affairs are handed over to Han officials, while the army is controlled by party members. After Li Qianshun came to the throne, he worked hard to govern and had good relations with the big powers. He can be called Mingjun, brother Richard is also a famous general. The monarch and his ministers complement each other. I look at Xixia. If there are no changes, it will not be difficult to extend the country for another hundred years. "

This confrontation with Ma Kuo was actually Han Zhen's way of confirming his suspicions and making arrangements for future strategies in advance.

Reading thousands of books is not as good as traveling thousands of miles. Ma Kuo has the best say in this experience, passing through the three kingdoms of Xixia, Liao and Jin.

Han Zhen said warmly: "Thank you for your hard work, my dear. I allow you to take a rest for five days. Recuperate at home and spend time with your wife, children and mother."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take my leave!"

Ma Kuo stood up, saluted, turned and left.

(End of this chapter)