The prince is more stable

Chapter 225: Dispute at the Court Meeting
After the establishment of the Western Xia Kingdom, it actually had many wars with the Song Dynasty. Starting from Li Yuanhao, the Western Xia Dynasty was ostensibly a vassal of the Song Dynasty, but was actually hostile to it.

There are dozens of border frictions every year, and many of them escalate into wars.

But this time, Western Xia fought most vigorously, and the scale of the army of 300,000 was unprecedented.

The reason is nothing more than the old tricks of politicians to divert the increasingly acute contradictions in the country.

In recent years, the government of Western Xia has been controlled by the Queen Mother's Party. The "Queen Mother's Party" means not only the Queen Mother Liang, but also her family.

Among them, Liang Yibu, the elder brother of Empress Dowager Liang, was the most powerful.

How could there not be conflicts when a pair of siblings jointly hold power in a country?

Gradually, a rift developed between the brother and sister, which later slowly developed into hostility. Just last year, Empress Dowager Liang took the initiative and ordered her ministers to chop her own brother into dumpling filling.

From now on, all power belongs to her alone, so cool!

What happens after you've taken control? Well, it's not time for a celebratory drink yet.

Liang Yibu also has her own followers, and there are many powerful and elderly people in the country who oppose her control of the government. These people cannot be killed casually unless she doesn't want to continue to live like this.

How to do?
The old tricks of politicians are here.

Wage war abroad to divert sharp internal conflicts, let the war bind everyone together, and then make more friends and fewer enemies.

This is why Empress Dowager Liang was willing to mobilize an army of 300,000 to launch the war.

This tactic has been popular throughout human history, and even the Eagle Sauce still frequently uses it thousands of years later. Once a war breaks out, the whole country will be united in hatred of the enemy. No matter how much you oppose me, you have to hold your nose and endure it until the war is over.

This was probably what Empress Dowager Liang was thinking.

The news from the front line was delayed in reaching Bian Jing, and the news that Western Xia had raised an army of 300,000 really scared the court officials of the Song Dynasty.

In the past, you only used your fists to hit me, but now you pick up a forty-meter-long sword and chop me. I have violated the law of heaven. Is it worth it for you to use so much force?
The posture of a lion fighting a rabbit, whether it is useful or not, is at least quite intimidating.

During the Three Kingdoms period, Prime Minister Cao attacked the Eastern Wu. The phrase "800,000 troops" scared the Eastern Wu so much that everyone was willing to surrender. If the momentum is strong enough, one can often defeat the enemy without fighting.

This is the situation in the present Song Dynasty. Ever since the number of 300,000 was reported to Bianliang, there have been calls for peace talks among the government and the public.

It's not shameful. We did this in the past. Otherwise, how did the Song Dynasty get the annual tribute?

Before the Song Dynasty, we will not talk about how the great scholars interpreted the theories of the sages, but since Emperor Taizong, the Song Dynasty has fully demonstrated the meaning of "harmony is the most precious".

Is it shameful to spend money to buy peace?

Not at all, just normal business practice.

In the main hall of Daqing, the atmosphere of today's court meeting was particularly depressing.

When the voices for peace and war become increasingly intense, the direction of a country's rise and fall often becomes unpredictable.

At today's court meeting, King Zhao Hao of Chu was also present.

Zhao Hao did not come voluntarily, but was summoned by Zhao Xu.

Although a prince like him who was idle could attend court meetings, he usually excused himself from attending due to illness. After all, the rule that clan members could not participate in politics had not been abolished, so it was meaningless for Zhao Hao to attend court meetings.

Today he still couldn't understand why the emperor asked him to come to court.

In the silent main hall, Zhao Hao looked around, feeling uncomfortable all over. He always felt like a chubby mascot standing there.

It’s better for me to stand outside the palace to welcome guests than to stand here.

So, what does the emperor mean by asking me to come to court?
The New Moon and Full Moon Court Sessions are formal grand court meetings. In theory, all officials above the fourth rank in the capital must attend.

The court meeting had already begun for an hour, and the previous discussions were all about domestic affairs, river management, military recruitment, diplomatic greetings, inventory of the Ministry of Revenue, local governance, etc. After a brief silence, a supervisory censor finally stood up.

The Censor's name was Zhou Zhi. This type of official was also called a censor or a verbal official. As the name suggests, they were the kind of people who found fault with everything and were particularly good at verbal battles.

When Zhou Zhi stood up, he amazed everyone with his words.

"I, Zhao Xiaoqian, Deputy Envoy for the Administration of Peace and Pacification of Huanqing Route, was ordered to lead an expedition against the Western Xia. I disregarded military discipline, allowed my soldiers to plunder and kill innocent people, and aroused the Western Xia army's hostility. This caused our royal army to be at a disadvantage in resisting the invaders, making it almost impossible to stop the Western Xia army. The front line is already in a state of defeat. This is all Zhao Xiaoqian's fault."

As soon as he said this, the whole hall was shocked, and even Prime Minister Zhang Dun turned his head to look at him in surprise.

Zhou Zhi was a Jinshi who passed the imperial examination in the Yuanyou year. After passing the examination, he served in the Hanlin Academy. After Zhang Dun became the prime minister, he promoted him to the position of Censor. It can be said that Zhou Zhi was a member of Zhang Dun's camp.

But from Zhang Dun's current appearance, it was clear that Zhou Zhi did not greet him before making the remonstration.

At the head of the hall, Zhao Xu, wearing a yellow robe, looked at Zhou Zhi expressionlessly, his brows furrowed slightly.

But Zhao Hao, who was originally bored in the hall, was suddenly startled.

Are you talking about my good son?

Did you take the wrong medicine?
Zhao Hao immediately became alert. As soon as Zhou Zhi finished speaking, Zhao Hao jumped out.

"Your Majesty, the soldiers at the front are fighting for the Song Dynasty, yet Zhou Zhi is here spouting nonsense, slandering the generals and disrupting our morale. I believe Zhou Zhi should be executed!"

Zhou Zhi was shocked when he heard this, his face turned pale instantly, and he almost fainted because he couldn't catch his breath.

I just accused your son of one crime, and you jumped out and wanted to kill me? How vicious your intentions are!

"Your Highness the King of Chu, this is the main hall for council meetings, please don't act unreasonably!" Zhou Zhi said angrily.

Zhao Hao also said angrily, "Is this king being unreasonable? Our two countries are in the midst of a fierce war, and the soldiers on the front line are fighting bravely for our Song Dynasty, and yet you are here making a fuss about 'allowing soldiers to plunder'? You're impeaching me for such a trivial matter."

"Throughout history, when armies have marched into battle, which army has managed to remain completely steadfast in enemy territory? Which commander has not condoned their soldiers' looting? They're robbing the enemy country, not your ancestral graves. What's your motive for jumping out and impeaching them?"

Zhou Zhi pointed at him, trembling. "You, you're being unreasonable! It's a fact that Zhao Xiaoqian allowed his soldiers to plunder. It violated military discipline, so why can't I say something?"

Zhao Hao said coldly, "You don't mention the hardships my son endured while fighting for the emperor, enduring hardships and suffering. Instead, you're harping on the issue of him allowing his soldiers to plunder. Aren't you afraid of chilling the hearts of the soldiers? Do you think you're going to summon my son back to Bianjing to question him for such a trivial matter?"

Zhou Zhi angrily said, "Facts are facts, wrong is wrong, and it wouldn't be unfair to hold him accountable!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Prime Minister Zhang Dun looked at Zhao Xu's expressionless face, as if he understood something. He turned his head and shouted coldly at Zhou Zhi, "Enough!"

Zhou Zhi received Zhang Dun's cold gaze and had to shut up.

Zhang Dun looked around at the ministers and said in a deep voice, "Let's not dwell on these trivial matters. Gentlemen, please be careful when reporting matters and do not misbehave before the Emperor."

After saying this, Zhang Dun retreated again.

The prime minister usually also served as the host at court meetings, and after announcing the program, he would give the stage to the actors.

Seeing that the two men had argued so fiercely and Zhao Xu had remained silent, the ministers probably understood the emperor's attitude.

Just as Zhao Hao said, allowing the soldiers to plunder is such a trivial matter, is it worth bringing it up in public?

What's wrong with letting soldiers make some unexpected fortunes while they're away at war? Do we expect them to serve the people?
At this time, another censor, Zhai Si, stood up.

What he wanted to talk about was even more astonishing.

"Your Majesty, the Western Xia army of 300,000 is invading. The Northwest Army is truly unable to stop them. If we are defeated, the Western Xia army will march straight into the heart of Guanzhong, making the situation even more difficult to control. The Great Song will suffer heavy losses."

"I believe that now, before the war escalates, we should send envoys to negotiate peace with Queen Dowager Liang of Western Xia, so as to put an end to the fighting and maintain peace."

(End of this chapter)