The Song Dynasty has been deliberate for 16 years, only to know that it is the Water Margin

In the blink of an eye, summer came and after the Qiqiao Festival, Zhao Yu held a grand court meeting.

There were many personnel changes in various places this time.

Even some generals in remote areas were replaced and transferred.

Zhao Yu even appointed Zhang Xian as the envoy of the five routes in Shaanxi, and Han Shizhong as the governor of the three routes.

This surprised many people in the court. After all, these two official positions were wartime assignments. At the moment, the world was peaceful and there was no war. I wonder why these appointments would be made?

The reason Zhao Yu gave was very simple. Although there was no war at the moment and the situation was peaceful, the northwest was hit by a disaster. Heavy rain, mudslides, and earthworms had caused damage to cities and farms. The envoy had the responsibility to provide disaster relief and pacify the people afterwards.

The ministers were speechless after hearing this. The pacification envoy did have this duty. He could be appointed not only in times of war, but also to handle the pacification of other major events and the aftermath of turmoil.

As for other local states, there were even more exchanges, which meant that almost half of the local leaders of the empire were replaced.

Zhao Yu called Wu Song back from Gaochang City. The West was now peaceful. Liyana Zha had used drastic measures to suppress some miscellaneous religions. Even the Ming Cult had cut off its ties with Persia, and the situation had gradually faded away. It no longer had the momentum it once had.

Wu Song did not return to Tokyo when he was conferred titles, but Zhao Yu conferred him the title of Marquis of Zhenxi. As for why he was not conferred the title of Duke, it was because Wu Song's military achievements were not enough and he had never entered the court. However, Wu Erlang was very satisfied with this, which was something he had never dared to think of when he was wandering in the green forest before.

He got married in Gaochang, and his wife was none other than Zhou Douyuan, who was left behind by Zhao Yu to assist Liyanazha.

Zhou Douyuan was a disciple of Li Huangzhu of Zizai Sect. At that time, Zhao Yu attacked Zizai Sect. Under Zhao Yu's coercion and inducement, Zhou Douyuan joined his army.

Now both of them have reached the level of half-step grandmaster in martial arts, and have a son and a daughter, and they live a happy life.

This time Wu Song came back alone without Zhou Douyuan. Zhao Yu arranged Wu Song to be the military commander of Zhejiang West Road.

This official is not as high-ranking as the three marshals in the road. He can be a civil official, a military officer, or a eunuch.

The Qin Dynasty followed the Song Dynasty system, and the top military and political leader of a route was the Pacifier, who also served as the chief military commander of that route.

However, apart from the pacification envoy, who was in charge of the army, the one who had the final say was the military commander.

There are two types of military commanders: one is the city military commander, and the other is the garrison military commander, but they are all under the management of the road commander.

Although nominally the troops under the command of a group are not as high as those under the command of the three generals, there is a special situation, that is, all the troops are under the command of a group.

Those who serve as military commanders at the rank of Sishi and above are called "Bingma Du Qianxia", with the word "Du" in their title to indicate their seniority.

Under normal circumstances, the Bingmadu can be in charge of troops in two routes, so he is more powerful than the Pacifier in managing troops.

Although the pacification envoy had absolute power to command the army, the Duqianxia could dispatch troops from two directions, thus hindering the pacification envoy.

Wu Song was the Marquis of Zhenxi, and was appointed as the governor of Xizhou in Gaochang. When he came back, Zhao Yu conferred him the title of Taibao, so at that time he was the commander of the army.

Moreover, Zhao Yu issued an edict to continue to govern Huaidong Road, which meant that Wu Song was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the troops of Zhejiang West Road and to lead the troops of Huaidong Road.

Later, Lu Da was given the same official position, and was appointed as the commander of the military forces of the East Zhejiang Route, leading the troops of the East Jiangnan Route.

In this way, almost all the troops in Lianghuai and Liangzhe were under the command of these two people.

Then Zhao Lu replaced most of the officials in charge of the military in Huaixi Road, Jiangnan West Road, and Guangnan West Road.

The court officials were very worried about this, and they all thought that Zhao Yu was going to take some military action.

But everything was calm afterwards, and no more actions were taken. As autumn came and winter came, everyone thought it was a normal rotation of defense, and no one mentioned or discussed it.

It is snowing heavily again, in the twelfth lunar month, the New Year is approaching, and the ninth year of Tianjian is about to come.

This year, Tokyo became more and more lively because eight major plays were officially staged in Tokyo.

The largest stage was located in Fanlou. Zhao Yu brought all the concubines, princes and princesses to Fanlou to watch the performance.

This was not a precedent. During the reign of Emperor Renzong, he often went to Fanlou to drink, observe the various aspects of life in the market, and have fun with the people.

Of course, it was at this time that Renzong discovered that one could actually see the scene inside the palace from the top floor of the west building of Fanlou. He was displeased, and the top floor of the west building of Fanlou was never opened again.

At this time, there was a light snowfall and a play called "The Heroes of the Red Lantern" was being performed on the stage. Countless people were watching from all around, forming a huge crowd.

Zhao Yu glanced at Zhu Xiuniang from upstairs and asked, "What do you think of these plays?"

Zhu Xiuniang looked pale, bit her lips tightly, and remained silent for a long time. Zhao Yu shook his head and said with a smile: "I think they are all very good. Why not call it the Eight Model Operas?"

"What role model?" Zhu Xiuniang was stunned and looked at Zhao Yu.

"Of course he is a role model for the people."

"Your Majesty, you..." Zhu Xiuniang lowered her voice.

"If someone wants to fight a war with me without the flash of swords and sabers, I will play with them. I have never been afraid of fighting. I will fight them as long as they want, until I win completely!"

Zhu Xiuniang's beautiful eyes flickered, and she lowered her head and dared not speak anymore.

Zhao Xi looked unhappy at the back, and said to Zhao Yi beside him with a dry laugh: "Second brother, Daddy is joking again."

Zhao Yi blinked his eyes and thought to himself, this is not right, you are the second brother, why do you regard yourself as the eldest brother after the eldest brother went back to Gaochang? This doesn't seem good.

"The watermelon seeds are good." Zhao Yi grabbed a handful of salted watermelon seeds from the plate on the table, smiled, and handed them to Zhao Xi...

The ninth year of Tianjian in the Great Qin Dynasty has arrived.

This year, Prince Ning Zhao Zheng was seventeen years old.

Prince Gong Zhao Xi was sixteen years old.

Prince Ding Zhao Yi was fourteen years old. Princess Mingzhu Zhao Yue was thirteen years old.

Prince Chong Zhao An was thirteen years old.

Prince An Zhao Yan was eight years old.

Prince Xiang Zhao Qian was seven years old.

Princess Zhenqing Zhao Min is six years old.

The people were celebrating, but the Qin court was shrouded in dark clouds.

At the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, not only did as many as 80% of the court officials submit petitions to appoint Prince Gong as the crown prince, but memorials from all over the country and various prefectures flew to Tokyo like snowflakes, requesting the appointment of a crown prince.

Zhao Yu still did not express anything in the Golden Palace. He stood up and left, and then did not attend court for three consecutive days.

At midnight on the fourth day, in the Suiyu Building on Zhuque Street, Zhao Yu closed his eyes and leaned back in a chair to rest.

On the table in front was a secret letter with the wax seal removed, and two people were standing on its left and right.

He had just read the secret letter, which was sent by Dai Zong, the Speedy Guardian.

Over the years, Dai Zong's identity has never been exposed. He has always stayed by Song Jiang's side and gained Song Jiang's trust. For the sake of this secret identity, Zhao Yu even did not grant him a title.

After a while, Zhao Yu opened his eyes and looked at the man on his left.

The man was in his forties or nearly fifty years old, dressed casually, had an ordinary appearance, and a dull expression. There was nothing remarkable about him, but as he stood there he seemed to blend in with the interior of the hall. If you didn't look closely, you wouldn't be able to sense his presence.

"Look, Gongming is planning to do something big!" Zhao Yu nodded at the secret letter on the table.

The man's dull expression changed when he heard this. He bowed slightly, took the letter on the table with both hands and looked at it.

After reading it word by word, his hands trembled slightly, he lowered his head, and said in a shocked voice: "Your Majesty, my brother is guilty."

"Guilty?" Zhao Yu closed his eyes again, as if recalling something. After a long while, he sighed and said, "Back then, I gave Gong Ming a chance, gave the people of Liangshan a way out, gave those who wanted to establish meritorious service a bright future, and gave my wife and son a title. Isn't that enough?"

The ordinary man bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty's reward and gift is tantamount to giving us all a new life. It is already a grace of rebirth, not to mention the inheritance of wealth and a bright future."

Zhao Yu exhaled, and looked at the ordinary man again: "Song Qing, what do you think we should do about this?"

Song Qing's face twitched, and he suddenly fell to his knees with a plop: "Your Majesty, I dare to ask for your permission to verify this matter. If it is true, I will..."

"What?" Zhao Yu had a blank expression on his face.

"I'll do it myself!" Song Qing lowered his head to the ground.

Zhao Yu frowned, as if thinking, and said after a moment: "Then go check it out, check it out carefully."

"I thank Your Majesty for your trust. I will never let you down and will not cover up anything." Song Qing kowtowed.

"Of course I trust you, otherwise how could I tell you?" Zhao Yu sighed and waved his hand.

Song Qing stood up and left. Although he was in the realm of a quasi-celestial being, he actually walked with a bit of staggering, looking extremely desolate.

Watching him walk out, Zhao Yu looked at the man standing on the right.

The man had a thin build, was over fifty years old, had a sinister brow, a thin beard, yellow skin, and tightly pursed lips.

"It's been twenty years, right?" Zhao Yu said calmly.

Upon hearing this, the man immediately knelt down and said, "It is true that I have been in the court for nearly twenty years. Your Majesty's kindness in recognizing me and supporting me in the past is something that I would never be able to repay even if I died a hundred times."

Zhao Yu nodded. This person was Huang Wenbing, a hidden thorn he had planted in the Privy Council a long time ago.

At that time, he was arranged to enter through Tong Guan. Now, twenty years have passed, and Tong Guan has retired for nearly ten years. No one knows that Huang Wenbing is his man.

"Get up, is what you said about Yang Zhi true?"

Huang Wenbing got up from the ground and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not say a single word of falsehood. Yang Tongzhi has close contacts with Prince Gong and has secretly communicated with him. He has planted many of Prince Gong's people in the West Palace. I have a list of names as evidence."

At this time, Yang Zhi was the co-director of the Privy Council, that is, the deputy envoy of the Privy Council.

"Yang Zhi..." Zhao Yu rubbed his temple.

"Here is a list of people planted by Yang Tongzhi, as well as some evidence." Huang Wenbing took out a scroll from his arms and presented it to Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu opened it, looked at it for a few seconds, and then threw it on the table without saying a word...

After the Lantern Festival, Zhao Yu still did not attend court. At this time, news came from the Forbidden City that the emperor was ill and unable to attend court affairs. All matters were decided by the Secretariat.

There was an uproar in the court. Although the emperor was ill, there were still the princes. How could all the important matters be entrusted to the Secretariat?
The calls for the enthronement of Prince Gong immediately changed to asking Prince Gong to attend court and act as regent.

At the end of January, Prince Gong Zhao Xi took the throne and tentatively began to preside over government affairs.

On February , the dragon looked up.

Zhao Yu sat quietly in Zhang Zhenniang's palace. After drinking tea, he looked at Zhang Zhenniang's worried expression. He was silent for a moment, then said, "Zhenniang, prepare paper and ink."

Zhang Zhenniang didn't understand what he meant, but she still prepared paper and ink.

Zhao Yu went to the desk, thought for a moment, and wrote five large characters in regular script on the rice paper: "Gun Picks the Old Times"... (End of this chapter)