Han Shizu

Chapter 425

In the fourth year of Qianyou in the Northern Han Dynasty, it was midsummer.

In the inner hall of Jinling, Li Jing, the lord of the Tang Dynasty, and several ministers who worked on poetry and articles were having a feast, and they were very happy to see the emotions they showed.

In the resplendent and resplendent inner hall, containers are used to hold the ice stored in the palace, and the cold smoke rises up, creating a comfortable environment in this hot summer.After taking a sip of the chilled fine wine and a few sips of "ice and snow bayberry syrup", the refreshment was almost written on Li Jing's face.

Tang Lord Li Jing summoned his ministers to a banquet this time, not for the usual enjoyment, but for celebration.It is mainly to celebrate the news from two aspects. One is that the situation in Hunan is becoming more and more optimistic; the other is that the Northern Han Dynasty is in trouble.

"Your Majesty!" Feng Yansi got up with a cup of cold drink, first glanced contemptuously at Han Xizai, who was still demeanor, and said to Li Jing: "The news has been confirmed, and the preparations for the past two months in the Northern Han Dynasty are all to prepare for the Khitan's southern invasion. Rather than what some people are worried about, there are other plans."

"According to detailed investigations, since this spring, the Khitan people have intensified their raids on the border of the Northern Han Dynasty. Now the whole Han court is full of turmoil, and they are all focused on going north, but they are powerless. The matter of Hunan, I can rest assured!"

At first, the great commotion of the Northern Han Dynasty's preparations for war could not be completely concealed. Therefore, there were strange noises in the Southern Tang Dynasty hall.Still led by Han Xizai, he suggested that Li Jing should be vigilant and increase his vigilance, especially the border between the two countries.

After a period of thinking, deduction, and comprehensive information from various sources, Han Xizai finally thought about the direction that made him horrified. The Northern Han Dynasty aimed at Huainan.

However, when he rushed to Li Jing and the officials of the Southern Tang Dynasty to warn him, Feng Yansi and others ridiculed him, and even Li Jing felt that he was a bit whimsical.

In any case, since the two countries sent envoys to each other to restore relations and make good friends in the second year of Qianyou, the Northern Han Dynasty and the Southern Tang Dynasty have always shown goodwill towards the Southern Tang Dynasty.Along the border of the Huaihe River, the trade between the merchants of the two countries became increasingly prosperous. Salt and grain from the north of the Yangtze River, silk brocade and tea from the south of the Yangtze River were sold to the Central Plains, which made the bureaucrats and merchants of the Southern Tang Dynasty earn a lot of money.

And after the Northern Han Dynasty put forward the proposal of "dividing Chu", the relationship between the two countries became more like "love for adultery and passion".It was Feng Yansi and others who took the initiative to send troops to take Hunan. Han Xizai raised his "delusional idea" at this time, and immediately let Feng Yansi and others grasp his sore feet, criticizing him for disregarding state affairs because of political disagreements.

Therefore, Li Jing, who was already soft-hearted, was somewhat dissatisfied with Han Xizai. Although he didn't scold him, he never listened to his suggestion on this national policy.

On that day, Han Xizai was so sad that he couldn't control it. After leaving the palace, he was so out of his mind that he burst into tears.He sighed and said: "Xiangshi Song Gong is in the court, why is this?"

The Song Gong he was talking about was Song Qiqiu, the founding father of the Southern Tang Dynasty and known as the "first counselor".Although Song and Feng Yansi belonged to the same party, Han Xizai still admired his vision and vision, and I believe he could also see that something was wrong.

It's a pity that Song Qiqiu has been sent to Hongzhou as a Jiedu envoy for several years, and now he is far away from the center and has to prepare food and fodder for the western expedition.What's interesting is that Song Qiqiu was demoted to Hongzhou precisely because of the party dispute with the Jiangbei scholar group represented by Han Xizai.

But this time, with the good news coming from the north, Han Xizai's worries became unfounded.

Wei Cen, the leader of Song and Feng's party, also stood up and said with a smile: "Now the Northern Han Dynasty is too busy to take care of themselves. Even if they really have ambitions for our dynasty, there is no need to worry. Hunan Ma Xi Calyx, the people are about to betray their relatives and leave their relatives, and the hearts of the people are lost. I can attack in the court, and I will surely spread the message, and expand the land for thousands of miles."

Even Han Xizai, who was sitting alone at the desk, looked much calmer, and seemed to put aside his doubts for the time being.The emperors and ministers of the Southern Tang Dynasty, at this time, are celebrating with their foreheads, probably the fate is favored, and they belong to the love of the Tang Dynasty.

"Good! Good! Good!" Li Jing smiled all over his face, even shouted "Hello" a few times, not concealing his weakness, and then hesitated: "Send troops now?"

Although he has the heart to make contributions, Li Jing always seems hesitant when it comes to making decisions.

Seeing that the emperor's old problem was repeated, Feng Yansi immediately persuaded him: "Your Majesty, the two generals of Bian and He have been stationed in Yuan and Hubei for nearly two months now, and their vehicles, horses, boats, food, grass, and military equipment are also being allocated one after another, which is enough to supply the army for three months. Yes. Wang Kui and Zhou Xingfeng, who stole Langzhou, also accepted our court's order, and with the current situation in Hunan, we can make up our minds."

"In addition, it is heard that the Lord of the Southern Han Dynasty also sent troops and horses to the border. Judging from his intentions, I am afraid that he wanted to take all the land in the South of the Five Ridges. Therefore, we should not hesitate in the court, so as not to miss the opportunity, so that the Southern Han Dynasty The army took the lead."

Feng Yansi was impatient, but the hesitation in Li Jing's character became more and more obvious. He put down his wine glass, thought for a while, and said slowly and calmly: "Since the land of Ma Chu is easily available, I don't need to rush it for a while. ,hold on."

Seeing Tang Lord's reaction like this, Feng Yansi was about to speak, when he heard him say: "There is a food shortage in Huainan, and hungry people are everywhere. Let's wait until the hunger situation subsides."

Due to the unfavorable weather last year, the harvest in Huainan was not good, which led to a food shortage in Huainan, which is rich in plaster and soil, since this year.The taxes paid by the Southern Tang to the low-level people were actually very heavy. After the tax was paid, it was basically enough to survive. And just this spring, the Southern Tang court began to prepare for the attack on Chu, and mobilized a large number of soldiers from the official warehouses in Huainan food.

All the situations were rushed together, which caused a big outbreak of hunger in Huainan.Along the border of the Han Dynasty, many Huainan people crossed the Huaihe River to beg for food. In view of these situations, Liu Chengyou ordered the Dahanzhou County along the Huaihe River to release a small amount of food for relief. If the hungry people who went to the north were willing to stay, they would be resettled on the land. Those who are willing are not forced to stay, and let them go south to return to their hometowns.

No matter what choice you make, it is not a bad thing for the big man.It's just a little food, Liu Chengyou doesn't do business at a loss, he looks forward to returning to the hungry people in Huainan, preaching the benevolence and righteousness of the great man, and attacking the hearts of the people before he attacks.After all, the officials in the Southern Tang Dynasty were not so "generous" in terms of relief.

As for the merchants of the Southern Tang Dynasty who went north to buy grain, Liu Chengyou also issued an edict, no need to stop them, let them buy, but there is no limit on the price.No matter how high the price Huainan merchants pay to buy grain, they will definitely sell it at a higher price after they pull it back.
Li Jing didn't realize the evil intention hidden in the Northern Han Dynasty, but praised his benevolence and righteousness.At this time, mentioning the hunger situation in Huainan, he said: "In this way, send envoys to go north with gifts to thank him for his help in Huainan. In addition, please ask him to send troops to divide Chu!"

"Your Majesty wants to test the Northern Han again?" Feng Yansi seemed to have grasped Li Jing's thoughts.

Li Jing didn't deny it, his eyes seemed to be shining brightly, and there was a little joy between his brows, as if excited by his own wisdom, he raised his hand and said: "In autumn, the autumn grain will be stored, and the Khitan or Also mobilized troops to go south, at that time, as far as our court was concerned, it was absolutely safe."

"Let Bian Hao stay in Yuanzhou so that he can train his troops and get ready to attack."

Li Jing seemed to have made up his mind. Feng Yansi thought about it for himself, and it seemed quite reasonable, and he did not insist on admonishing him. After all, it is rare for the emperor to have his own opinion. It is not a smart person to refute him in this situation.

"By the way, Your Majesty, there is one more thing to report!" Feng Yansi said suddenly.

"Come on, sir!" Li Jing was a little curious.

"The Jiangsai border card reported that an official ship entered the river from Wuyue, saying that it was escorting Princess Wuyue to Kaifeng to marry Han Huaiyang King Liu Chengxun! The guards did not dare to let it go without authorization. They have already been detained. Please go to the imperial court!" Feng Yansi road.

Hearing this, Li Jing was not only puzzled: "Wu Yue paid tribute to the Central Plains and traveled by sea. How could he use this time to make a show of himself?"

Feng Yansi said: "In my opinion, it is Wu Yue who wants to take this opportunity to demonstrate to our court and show his friendship with the Northern Han Dynasty!"

"Hmph!" snorting softly, Li Jing seemed to disdain Qian Hongchu's small gesture, and said: "Let's send an order to let the envoys go north together, congratulations too!"

"Your Majesty is generous!"

(End of this chapter)