Fenghou

Chapter 104 Compromise
Xu Yun came to Lu Yihao's official room in a hurry, and said a little excitedly: "Teacher, look at this!"

He put a joint letter opposing the deal on the table, and pointed to one of the names, "It's actually Fan Zongyin! Teacher, it's unexpected!"

Sure enough, it was Fan Zongyin's signature. Lu Yihao narrowed his eyes and asked for a while, "Has he signed the joint letter supporting the transaction?"

"As far as I know, there is no signature!"

Lu Yihao nodded, "This guy is not stupid, he woke up at a critical moment!"

"Teacher, Tai students are starting to write a blood book, and they are going to jointly sign the book."

Lu Yihao frowned, and said to Xu Yun: "Go and tell Yu Xiaoliang immediately, don't do too much, just enough!"

Xu Yun also knew that if he put too much pressure on the officials, his mentor must be the one who will be unlucky in the end, so he nodded quickly, "I'll go now!"

Xu Yun hurried away.

Lu Yihao pondered for a moment, then he took a pen and wrote a short message, and said to a follower: "You go to Hukou Restaurant to reserve a private room, I will treat guests at noon, and then give this letter to Fan Xianggong."

"Follow the order!"

After the entourage left, Lu Yihao tapped the table lightly with his knuckles, guessing that the eunuch delivering the decree should arrive.

At this time, an eunuch led by the officer appeared at the door, and the eunuch smiled all over his face: "Mr. Lu, the officials are summoned in the inner palace!"

Emperor Zhao Gou received Lu Yihao in the Hall of Qinzheng. Zhao Gou was dressed in casual clothes, his face was pale, and he looked like he had just recovered from a serious illness. He knocked on the table dissatisfied and said to Lu Yihao: "I have only been ill for two days, and the imperial court has just come back." It's messed up, how did you, the prime minister, manage the overall situation?"

Lu Yihao leaned back and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, everything in the court is normal and there is no chaos. Maybe the Tai students' demonstration disturbed Your Majesty."

"The Tai students are demonstrating again, why?" Zhao Gou asked with a blank face.

"Your Majesty, Tai students object to handing over Chen Qing to the Jurchens. Not only Tai students, but hundreds of thousands of civilians also oppose it."

"Is this matter not over yet? I thought General Chen had already returned to the Northwest, why are you still tossing about this matter?" Zhao Gou asked Lu Yihao instead.

"Your Majesty, Qin Xianggong is leading this matter, and I don't know much about it."

Zhao Gou sneered, "Is Qin Xianggong leading the parade with great fanfare?"

Lu Yihao smiled slightly and said: "Tai students are easily impulsive and naturally love to fight against injustices, but their essence is out of patriotism. Chen Qing is an anti-gold general. Rumors that the imperial court wants to send him to the Kingdom of Jin will of course arouse public anger, but we want Let the Tai students make it clear that the imperial court has no such intentions, if the misunderstanding is resolved, the matter will be resolved, and His Majesty does not need to worry too much!"

Zhao Gou is under great pressure not only from Tai students and Lin'an people, but also from the military. Early this morning, he received a call from the military, initiated by Han Shizhong, Zhang Jun, Liu Guangshi, Han Shizhong, Yue Fei, Li Heng, Ju Shiran, etc. A joint letter signed by top generals.

Several major military generals strongly opposed the handing over of Chen Qing to the Kingdom of Jin, and pointed out in their letters that once the court made such a decision, it would inevitably deal a serious blow to the morale of the Song army and would become a shame for the Song army.

The pressure from the military made Zhao Gou a bit wary and had to consider this matter carefully.

In fact, compared with the demonstrations by Tai students and ordinary people, the tough attitude of the army put more pressure on Zhao Gou.

Zhao Gou narrowed his eyes and said slowly: "I have been in poor health for the past few days. I don't understand and have no attitude towards this matter, but I hope it will end as soon as possible. It is not appropriate to entrust this matter to Mr. Qin." , Zhizhengtang will decide!"

Lu Yihao understood what the official meant, and the official gave in. He will no longer interfere in this matter, and the Zhizhengtang will decide.

This result was completely within Lu Yihao's expectation. Even the emperor couldn't support the strong pressure of public opinion, but the officials obviously still didn't give up. They wanted Zhizhengtang to continue to push forward this matter. How could it be possible?
At noon, in a private room of Hukou Restaurant, Lu Yihao hosted a private banquet for Mr. Fan Zongyin.

"Juemin, we haven't sat together drinking like this for many years!" Lu Yihao filled Fan Zongyin's wine glass and said with a smile.

"Yeah! I miss the life in Bianliang very much. It was really elegant and leisurely at that time. Mr. Lu, some people said that if we agree to the hostage exchange request of the Jin people, the two sides will probably discuss the matter of peace in the next step. What do you think? is it possible?"

Lu Yihao sneered and said, "I have been dealing with Jin Guo for so many years, but I still don't know each other? Now that Jin Guo has a strong military force, who will negotiate peace with us? Only by completely defeating the Jin soldiers on the battlefield will they have peace talks." The Queen Mother will be sent back only after sincere peace talks, believe it or not, even if Chen Qing is handed over to the Jinren, the Queen Mother will not come back."

Fan Zongyin nodded silently, sighed and said, "You're right, how can a small commander get back the Queen Mother in return, the Jurchen will not do such a loss-making thing."

"Do you know why I initiated a joint signature?"

Fan Zongyin picked up the wine cup and said indifferently: "It's not just a joint signature! This time the Tai students marched, could Lu Xianggong get away with it?"

Lu Yihao avoided his question, and said with a smile: "The official interviewed me today and made it clear that he will no longer interfere with Chen Qing's affairs."

"Looks like Lu Xianggong has won."

"Not yet, the Zhizheng Hall still needs to issue a formal resolution."

"So my husband bought me a drink?"

Lu Yihao looked at him for a while and said: "If Juemin votes against this afternoon and discusses the reform of the imperial examination system next month, I will support you."

Fan Zongyin picked up the wine cup and said with a smile: "It's rare that Lu Xianggong is so straightforward, then we will make a deal!"

In the afternoon, Qin Hui hurried to the meeting hall of the Zhizheng Hall. He got the news that Lu Yihao decided to discuss Chen Qing's proposal to exchange the empress dowager again in order to quell the parade of Tai students and [-] people. In fact, he voted again.

At the same time, Qin Hui received instructions from the deep palace, "Everything is subject to the decision of the Zhizheng Hall!" '

This means that the officials have given up intervening, but Qin Hui is very sensitive, he still understands the emperor's mind, it is best that Zhizhengtang can pass, and all consequences and responsibilities will be borne by Zhizhengtang.

Qin Hui is too clear about the official's intentions, this is his own opportunity, once the proposal is passed and the official's wish to take back the Queen Mother is satisfied, and he has made great contributions, he will definitely go further.

At this time, in order to appease the military, the officials will definitely fight back and strongly criticize Zhizhengtang for betraying the anti-gold generals. Lu Yihao's resignation as prime minister is inevitable, clearing the way for himself to rise to power.

But now only I and Fan Zongyin supported it, while Lu Yihao and Zhao Ding opposed it. The key point was the ambiguous Li Hui. If he was willing to vote for it, it would be a certainty.

Qin Hui was secretly regretful. He knew that he should have visited Li Hui yesterday, promised him some benefits, and won his vote, but now it seems a bit late.

Forget it, if there is another draw today, I must visit Li Hui tonight.

Qin Hui walked into the meeting hall quickly, and saw that several other prime ministers had arrived, he quickly apologized: "I went to Yushitai, I was delayed for a while, and I kept everyone waiting for a long time."

Lu Yihao smiled and said: "It's okay, we just arrived, Mr. Qin, please sit down!"

Qin Hui sat down, and Lu Yihao glanced at the crowd and said, "Since everyone has arrived, let's make a long story short. Regarding the plan proposed by the envoys of the Kingdom of Jin, the commander Chen Qing was exchanged for the Queen Mother's return to the court. It can only be decided by our Zhizheng Hall, the vote was too hasty before, after a few days everyone has thought it through, let's vote again!"

Lu Yihao turned over the jade document in front of him, "I vote against handing over Chen Qing to Jin Guo."

Zhao Ding also turned over the jade document, "I also object!"

Qin Hui pushed the jade document forward, and said with a faint smile, "I think the court's reputation should be considered, and Chen Qing should be exchanged for the empress dowager!"

The next one was Li Hui. After hesitating for a while, Li Hui said, "It's a very important matter. I need to think about it again. I'll abstain from voting this time!"

As expected, Li Hui was still playing sloppy. At this time, everyone's eyes were on Fan Zongyin. He had voted yes before, but what kind of vote will it be this time?

Fan Zongyin smiled slightly and said: "As Lu Xianggong said, I really didn't understand the rules before. After a few days of careful consideration, I think that even if Chen Qing is handed over, it may not be possible to replace the Queen Mother, but it will be criticized, so I Oppose changing Chen Qing for the Empress Dowager."

After speaking, he turned over the jade document in front of him.

Qin Hui's eyes widened all of a sudden, he never thought that Fan Zongyin would betray him at a critical moment.

(End of this chapter)