Han Shizu

Chapter 426 The Big Man Today

The bright sun was in the sky, releasing heat wantonly, like endlessly, baking the earth.The city of Tokyo seems to have become a lot more impetuous due to the hot summer weather.Kaifeng is the number one city in the Central Plains, and living in it is not easy, especially for the ordinary people in the city, no matter how unfriendly the weather, they have to endure the scorching heat and run around in the sun, busy with their livelihoods.

With the gradual stability of the country and the good governance of the imperial court, Kaifeng City ushered in a great development, and the city gradually prospered. During this period, the common people, as long as they worked hard, could basically find a job to make a living.Of course, it's just a difference in the degree of work and rest.

With the opening of the ban on alcohol, there are more and more wine shops in the city of Tokyo. However, it has been almost a year, and the imperial court has tightened again. Although it is not as strict as in the early years of Qianyou, it also restricts liquor of brewing.Among the ordinary people, there are many smart people who can guess the reason. There is not a little news that the imperial court is preparing to fight, and the news of the Khitan's invasion of the south has been spread for a while.

For the first time, it also caused panic among the people in Tokyo. People living in Tokyo, regardless of whether they are officials or civilians, have mostly experienced the national disaster of Tianfu 12 years when Khitan destroyed Jin.

However, this panic was only a sudden wave of waves, and soon subsided.One, there was no movement from the Khitan side for a long time, and no movement could reach the ears of ordinary people in Shengdou. At most, they could hear some news that Hu Qi harassed and repelled the Han army defending the border; In order to stabilize people's hearts; the third is probably because they have some confidence in the current Northern Han court, and they don't believe that the Khitans can hit the Central Plains again.

Up to now, the Khitan's invasion of the south has become a kind of rumor, not only it is difficult to cause waves, but it has become the talk of the people in Tokyo after dinner.

However, the policy of the imperial court should still be tight. For ordinary people, the most personal experience is that the price of wine is getting more and more expensive, and it has given birth to many people engaged in handicraft industries.

There are also many merchants who take advantage of the opportunity to purchase related supplies from the villages and sell them to Tokyo or a few key towns.Of course, the breeding of corruption cannot be avoided. After all, when the water is clear, there will be no fish. If it is found or sued, it will be dealt with severely.
However, compared with wine shops, the development of tea shops in Tokyo city is faster.Especially in this scorching summer, whether it is a servant on duty, a soldier on patrol, a street peddler, a toothbrush, or even those who are idle, they all like to drink a bowl of herbal tea in the tea shop in the market, and talk about it. News, listen to anecdotes.

In the city of Tokyo, next to a restaurant, a large green cloth umbrella is set up to shade the sun, and several sets of tables and chairs are set up under it.Restaurant merchants are very smart, with this simple decoration, there are always customers overflowing at every time.Bowls of herbal tea are served, paired with market snacks, and the price is not expensive. It is still very attractive to hungry and tired passers-by, and it can also increase the popularity of your own restaurant.

Just like that, all kinds of men, old and young, huddled together, drinking and chatting. In a slightly shady place on the side, there were also a few shopkeepers, sitting on the cargo load, and each ordered a bowl of tea and drank it. Down, very happy.

Above the tea table, there was a lively discussion.

"It's been said that the Khitan people are going to beat the big man. It's been two months, and there's still no movement at all." A shirtless, rather stalwart young man, with a pickled melon in his mouth, yelled loudly while chewing , in his tone, he wished that the Khitan people would go south as soon as possible.

The people next to him heard this, and an elderly little man narrowed his eyes, and immediately answered the conversation: "You young man, you don't know how to live or die, you have such a peaceful life, you don't cherish it, do you still think about it?" fight?"

"The old man is right. Once the Khitan people came, everyone will have a hard time. The young man is not down-to-earth?" A fruit vendor next to him was also on Zhuo, and after listening to it, he was very dissatisfied with the young man Man's remarks.

Then a bunch of people echoed and criticized. Seeing that everyone was angry, the man hurriedly explained: "I'm not worried about my husband. I don't know when the north will fight. I want to go to Qizhou to sell some medicinal materials, but I'm afraid of war." .”

As he spoke, he looked around and said, "Let me tell you, even if there is a war, can you still fight to Tokyo? The imperial court is now strong and strong, but it can't keep the Khitan people in Hebei? What are you afraid of here?"

Seeing his indifference, someone immediately retorted: "Even if you can't fight Tokyo, if the war goes wrong, the imperial court will increase labor, tax and food."

Seeing this dry man, the more he spoke, the more bold he was, the boss of the tea shop hurriedly stepped forward, clasped his hands and said cheerfully: "Everyone, don't talk about state affairs, don't talk about state affairs!"

As he spoke, he took a second glance at the two city soldiers walking slowly in the distance. The group of people noticed that they immediately changed the subject with wit and interest.

But someone took the opportunity to say: "I think this person who doesn't know the heights of the sky and the earth will only be honest after going to Kaifeng Prison."

The hot weather in Tokyo seems to be stirring up the boredom in Han Emperor Liu Chengyou's heart. A few bowls of "Iced Sydney Soup" can't control it.In the past two months, Liu Chengyou has devoted himself to the affairs of the north and the south, worked so hard, and rarely even went to the harem.

In the hall, Liu Chengyou was wearing a light and thin robe, leaning sideways on the armrest of the throne.Zhang Dejun held a round fan to blow air to him. Although the movement was not loud, he carefully controlled the strength and rhythm, which made him sweat profusely.

Seeing his hard work, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and told him to go down to rest, and arranged for someone to bring some ice cubes from the ice storage.

"It's midsummer now, and even we can't stand the heat, let alone the Hulu?" Liu Chengyou said to Wei Renpu and Zheng Ren who were playing in front of the palace: "It's even more impossible for the Khitan people to go south in the near future. If you think about it, you really have to wait until autumn." It's high time!"

"Your Majesty's words are true!" Wei Renpu said: "According to the news from the north, although the Khitan lord intends to invade the south, one is that the timing is not good, and the other is that the nobles of the Hulu tribes have not yet been subdued by him. From the observations of the people, it can be seen that the Khitan has also been fighting for years, and the people are exhausted, no matter whether they are nobles or ordinary herdsmen, they have no desire to fight, and they do not want to invade the south at this time."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's expression showed a rare hint of arrogance: "Today's big man is not comparable to Shi Jin. If you walk around with Khitan Lord, you can get benefits."

Zheng Renhui, the deputy envoy of the Privy Council, said: "Even when the government was chaotic and the people's livelihood was exhausted, the Khitan army under the command of Yelu Deguang caused great damage, let alone our dynasty. Since your Majesty took the throne, you have never been weak to the outside world. However, if they come from the south, our Han army will fight fiercely and kill them. The Khitan Hulu are also human beings who know pain and fear. They have already suffered a big loss in Hebei before, even if the Khitan Lord wants to go his own way, overcome difficulties and subdue Disharmony, it still takes time!"

Hearing this, he nodded, expressing his approval of Zheng Renhui's words, Liu Chengyou thought for a while and said: "Our army's preparations for war can be delayed for a while, and we will talk about it in autumn!"

"Yes!"

Liu Chengyou knew that it was time to cool down. During this period of time, the imperial court spent money like water, which was not a small test for a big man whose family was far from rich.Xue Juzheng, the deputy envoy of the third department in charge, has spoken to Liu Chengyou several times, and he is so distressed that even Wang Zhang, who has retreated to the second line, has taken the lead.

It took a lot of money to resettle the relocated households, build armaments, and transport food and grass, which made Liu Chengyou's heart ache when he saw it.

"Over there, King Yan, once again put on the form and ask the imperial court for support."

(End of this chapter)