I studied in modern times

Chapter 539 Sitting and talking

"Foreign minister, I'm sorry, Tian Huairong, I respectfully ask that His Majesty, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, is doing well!"

Zhao Xu was sitting on the throne of Chongzheng Hall, looking at the two envoys in front of him, wearing the costumes of party nobles.

To be honest, he had long forgotten that these two Xixia envoys had angered him in his previous life.

Now I see you again without any impression.

So, I couldn’t help but take a second look.

Xuan Lalu and Tian Huairong seemed to be about the same age - about thirty years old.

Their dress is almost identical to the donors on the Xixia murals discovered by Zhao Xu in the modern Mogao Grottoes and other places.

They were all wearing red robes with round collars and narrow sleeves, and tall felt hats with their skirts tied to the right.

The biggest difference between the two is their appearance.

"I have already read King Xia's credentials."

Listening to this, Xuan Lalu's face suddenly became extremely gloomy.

I'm still willing to give you a chance.

"The King of Xia is determined to abandon his old evils, return to the right path, restore old friendship with the Song Dynasty, maintain the border between the two countries, and strengthen trade between the two countries..."

Because this little Nanman emperor is so daddy!

Zhao Xu put down his Chinese book and asked in the palace: "How is King Xia?"

Tian Huairong has a very obvious Han appearance.

"That's good!" Zhao Xu chuckled.

Obviously, this is due to the characteristics of Dangxiang people formed after long-term intermarriage with various ethnic groups in the northwest.

"I appreciate King Xia's attitude very much, and I should satisfy King Xia's request."

Because what the little emperor said was high-sounding.

There was no one around or behind the little emperor who was giving guidance or quietly teaching him how to speak.

Partial birth, the law of error cannot occur.

Xuanluo swallowed.

"The little emperor of the Southern Barbarians is almost like the young Emperor Jingzong!"

He was talking to him in a completely condescending manner, as if I were lecturing his son.

Xuan Lalu could only lower his head and pretend to be docile.

Without reality, they cannot survive.

He glanced at the important civil and military officials of the Southern Barbarians who were standing in the hall and were dressed in purple.

The Song Dynasty was the theoretical suzerainty of the Great White Kingdom.

The voice of the little emperor on the throne continued to be heard.

Before coming, Xianlu Lu had fully understood the mission of this mission from the Prime Minister - he was here to get benefits.

"It seems that the legend is true!"

Rebel!

But you have to cherish it!

Dad is not an unreasonable person.

"Recognizing your mistakes can greatly improve things!"

The suzerain country is very paternal in front of the vassal countries.

"If that's the case, you can't treat it like a child."

I found that these people were all respectful in front of the little emperor sitting in the palace.

Xuan Lalu's eyelids suddenly twitched.

If you suffer a little loss on your mouth, just suffer a little loss.

Erlulu has obvious characteristics of Hu people.

Xianlulu immediately bowed and said, "My Lord, His Majesty the Great Emperor of the Song Dynasty, takes care of me and is always well."

At least on the surface it's hard to fault.

Therefore, Xuanluo quickly adjusted his mentality.

The bridge of the nose is slightly high, the eye sockets are deep, and the facial contour features are obvious.

The Dangxiang people are a very realistic nation.

He directly replaced the little emperor sitting on the couch as Emperor Jingzong (for Dangxiang people, especially those from the Weiming family, Li Yuanhao's status was roughly equivalent to that of Emperor Qin and Han Wu, a great hero of the epoch-making level).

He even started hypnotizing himself.

You did something wrong before, but now that you know your mistake, you know how to ask for mercy.

Dabai Gaoguo hopes that Nanman will open more border markets.

I also hope that the Southern Barbarians can allow the green salt of Dabai Gao Kingdom to enter more places for sale.

At the same time, we also hope to open another store in Bianjing to sell specialties from Hexi, Lingxia, and the Western Regions.

For example, jade, or fur.

If possible, it would be best to obtain the Nanman's consent to sell grain.

The drought last year and this year caused many small and medium-sized tribes in the country, especially the Hengshan tribes, to fall into famine. Many small tribes even fled to Xihe in the Southern Barbarians.

This shows that Xihe in the Southern Barbarians has a lot of food.

Therefore, Youlu Lu suppressed the discomfort in his heart, bowed and said with a smile that was uglier than crying: "His Majesty the Great Emperor's moral teachings, foreign ministers will tell our king..."

The little emperor on the throne just smiled and did not answer his words. Instead, he lightly tapped the table in front of the throne.

"King Xia really wants to make peace with the Song Dynasty?" he asked, his young voice full of distrust.

"I sincerely wish to restore old friendship with the Song Dynasty!" Xianluo Lu lowered his head and replied in as gentle a tone as possible: "Therefore, the king, the queen mother and the prime minister of the country specially ordered the foreign ministers to report to the Song Dynasty. Your Majesty, the Emperor, would like to present five hundred horses to the good people to help the Song Dynasty raise horses..."

"In addition, we also presented pearls, jade, furs and other items to bring glory to the Holy Day of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager of the Song Dynasty..."

"Okay!" The little emperor on the throne laughed: "That's it!"

"Your Majesty, please go down first. I will report King Xia's good intentions to the Cisheng of the two palaces."

"This..." Xianluo Lu swallowed his saliva and bowed: "The foreign minister begged to see Her Majesty the Empress Dowager of the Song Dynasty in person, kowtow and say hello! I also personally wrote a form of congratulations to the Empress Dowager of the Song Dynasty, and presented it to the Empress Dowager of the Song Dynasty. His Majesty!"

This was the most important task of his trip - to pay a personal visit to the Empress Dowager of the Song Dynasty and convey the congratulations written by the Empress Dowager from Xingqing Mansion.

This was something that Liang Yibu, the Prime Minister of the country, personally told him.

It is to do everything possible to gain benefits from Nanman.

More is better!

At the same time, it also paralyzes the Nanman side and prepares for the advance after this autumn.

Yes!

Xingqing Mansion has made up its mind.

Use the bow, arrow and saber in your hand to ask for money from the Nanman.

This is a direct decision from Prime Minister Liang Yibu.

It was also the joint decision of all the major tribes in Xixia, including Wei Mingjia.

The reason is simple - why are the southern barbarians willing to give three million Guanjiao children to the northern barbarians every year?
Because the Northern Barbarians' cavalry was very strong, the Southern Barbarians were afraid of the Northern Barbarians' cavalry going south, so they chose to spend money to buy peace.

Then the problem is coming.

Why don't the Southern Barbarians even give millions of Guanjiao sons to Dabai and Gaoguo?

He even refused to give the annual gift that Jingzong promised when he negotiated peace!

As soon as this question came to the minds of various party departments, the blood pressure of countless people suddenly rose.

Everyone has decided to give Nanman a good time this fall.

Let the southern barbarians experience their bows, arrows and sabers - I understand that the cavalry of the Gao Kingdom is no worse than the northern barbarians!
So, just be obedient and give me the money.

Give us money and we won't hit you.

However, the little emperor on the throne did not agree to his request.

"That's not necessary."

"The congratulatory form from the King of Xia and the Queen Mother will be sent to the Ministry of Rites by your envoy, and the Ministry of Rites will forward it to the Queen Mother."

"If there is nothing else, your envoy will return to Dutingyi first and wait for the news."

"This..." Xuanluo wanted to say something else.

The Nanman guards in the hall had already stepped forward and said politely: "Your envoy, please!"

There is no other way for Xieluo to do anything but to respectfully say goodbye.

……

Looking at the retreating figures of Xuan Lalu and Tian Huairong.

Zhao Xu looked at the prime ministers and military ministers in the palace, and then said: "After retreating from the court, the left prime minister, the right prime minister, the ministers of the Privy Council, the palace commander, and the deputy commander all stayed and followed me to the small hall behind the Chongzheng Palace to discuss matters. "

"No!" The ministers were stunned after hearing this, and then they all accepted the order.

The small hall has always been the place where the monarchs and ministers of the Song Dynasty really discussed matters - the discussions in the main hall were usually just a formality.

Therefore, as soon as the ministers received the decree, they knew that there were still important matters to discuss with them.

Therefore, after leaving the Chongzheng Hall, the civil and military ministers named by Zhao Xu immediately went to the small hall.

When they arrived, Zhao Xu had already asked people to make tea. After all the ministers entered the palace, saluted, and took their seats, Zhao Xu ordered: "Please wait and have some tea first..."

"This is the new Tuancha made this year, try it all..."

This small hall is different from the main hall. The space is very small. Zhao Xu almost sits and communicates face to face with the ministers.

This is called sitting and discussing the Tao, which has been the tradition of monarchs and ministers since the Qin and Han Dynasties.

The ministers thanked each other for the grace, each picked up a cup of tea, sipped some tea, and then all praised the taste of the tea.

Zhao Xu listened, smiled, and told Feng Jing: "Feng Jing, prepare some cakes of tea for all your dear friends, and let them take them back to taste."

After saying this, he started to get to the point.

"What do you think the Western thieves intend to do when they enter the court this time?"

Zuo Xiang Han Jiang, who was still holding the tea cup and sipping the tea soup, immediately put down the tea cup and said: "Your Majesty, I think that Yi and Di have never been trustworthy, so they can never be trusted!"

When Han Jiang was young, he was an outright militant.

At the beginning, he was the one who took the initiative to conquer Luo Wucheng.

However, due to constraints from all sides, the generals were domineering, trying to pass the blame and compete for credit, resulting in failure.

Han Jiang never spoke of war again.

However, his hostility to Xixia is deep in his bones.

At the same time, his bellicosity is deep in his heart!

Right Prime Minister Lu Gong's eyes twitched, and he quickly put down the tea cup and said: "Your Majesty, the Yi and Di are certainly unfaithful, but soldiers are deadly weapons, and saints have to use them as a last resort!"

He was too afraid of another war.

Because, as the war continues and the war continues, the money from the treasury is spent like water.

The harsh regimes that were finally abolished may come back because of war.

Han Jiang sneered, glanced sideways at Mr. Lu who was sitting next to him and retorted: "The right minister is too timid..."

"Come on, I'm just saying that Yi and Di can't be trusted."

Lu Gong wrote: "The Yi and Di cannot be trusted...but the war must not resume again!"

"If war breaks out again, what will happen to all the people in the world?"

This year we have already played Cochin.

Although, Zhang Dun's southern expedition obviously did not cost the court much.

Zhang Heng of the Ministry of Household Affairs only followed the original plan and allocated 1 million copper coins and silk cloth from Bianjing for the expenses of the army.

However, Lu Gongzhu knew that there were still a lot of hidden expenses, and he didn't include them at all.

For example, most of the expenses for the chieftains to send troops were paid by the chieftains themselves. But did Da Song really not pay?

The land in the northern prefectures and counties of Jiaozhou was actually rewarded.

Let these people be hereditary and take charge of one side.

One is not good, if there is a hero like Nong Zhigao in the future.

The money saved now will be spent exponentially in the future.

In addition, Guangxi's soldiers and horses also received rewards and pensions from young and strong civilians.

It's not the center's account that's gone.

Zhang Dun directly intercepted the taxes and property that the Guangxi Transportation Department should have transferred back to Beijing.

At the same time, almost all of the newly minted money made in Yongxing Chang in Tanzhou and Censhui Chang in Shaozhou last year and this year went to Guangxi.

The total amount of money is at least three to four million yuan.

Including the money allocated by the Ministry of Accounts, the total expenditure is four to five million yuan.

Although, not all of this money may be used for war.

Zhang Dun reported that after the war, he had begun to take charge of the construction, repair and maintenance of several water conservancy projects in Guangxi. This was his responsibility. He also served as the envoy to encourage farmers in Guangxi.

At the same time, Lu Jia asked the "family thief" and Gao Zunhui. They used their connections to secretly collect money from the imperial court. Under the guise of the imperial court, the money for the construction of some projects in the northern prefectures and counties of Jiaozhi also came from here. .

But no matter what, it is a fact that the expenditure for this year's war has already exceeded the initial budget limit of the Ministry of Revenue.

Fighting a Jiaozhi war was a quick and decisive war, yet it cost so much.

If the war really breaks out in Shaanxi, the taxes that the country has finally reduced will probably have to be renamed and returned to the people.

This is something Lu Gongzhu can never accept.

Because he is about to succeed Han Jiang and become the left prime minister.

In the more than a year since Han Jiang became prime minister, his political achievements have been remarkable.

Abolish the Horse Protection Law, review and reform the Law on Exemption from Service, the Law on Exemption from Work, and the Law on Young Crops.

At the same time, he presided over the liquidation of municipal affairs and the collection of related arrears.

As a result, it was miraculously achieved that the national income did not decrease compared to the seven years of Yuanfeng, but the burden on the people was greatly reduced!
Yes!

miracle!

While cutting taxes and carrying out reforms, the country's revenue is also guaranteed.

As a result, the Ministry of Revenue predicts that if the current situation remains unchanged, Yuanyou may achieve a fiscal surplus of several million yuan in the first year!
You know, this year's severe drought in Huainan superimposed the Jiaozhi War.

At the same time, with the removal of the Market Change Law and the Horse Protection Law, the Green Crops Law, the Law on Exemption from Service, and the Law on Exemption from Service were revised.

National fiscal revenue should have declined.

The Ministry of Accounts originally expected to lose millions of dollars this year.

But Han Jiang has a good life!
The popularization and promotion of the gall copper method and the subsequent extension of the emperor's favor to reduce the government's commission greatly increased the production enthusiasm and output of mines all over the world.

As copper production increased, so did coinage.

The amount of coins minted this year may be doubled compared to that in Yuanfeng seven years!
This alone is an income of two to three million yuan.

However, Han Jiang's luck is not only reflected here.

It is also reflected in the collection of arrears of Shiyiwu.

It is also reflected in the 'Bianjing Academy' project in Jing'anfang.

It is even more reflected in the disaster relief in Huainan.

All these things, taken together, the finances, which were originally expected to be in deficit, are actually going to be in surplus!

It's pure magic!
If Han Jiang becomes an official with such political achievements, his historical status will definitely be no less than that of Han Qi and Fu Bi.

Maybe even more than these two names.

In the face of danger, he was ordered to support the young master, preside over reforms, do little corvee and reduce taxes, make concessions that benefit the people, punish Jiaozhi in the south, and bring peace to the people in the interior...

A hundred years later, Han Jiang's posthumous title was either Wenzheng, Wenzhong or Wenwen.

It is certain that he will be able to enjoy the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

It is not impossible to pursue the title of king of a county or even the king of a great country.

What about him?

Where is Mr. Lu?
In what way is he worse than Han Zihua, an old man?
Once the war breaks out, where will tens of millions or more military expenditures be found?

In the end, don’t we have to go back to the old path of apportionment and additional taxes?

In this way, compared with Han Jiang, what did Duke Lu do?

Traitor!
Therefore, Mr. Lu opened his eyes wide and looked at Han Jiang. He would never give in.

Zhao Xu looked at the two prime ministers who were at war with each other.

He stood up at the right time and began to knead the mud.

"I already understand what your two gentlemen mean."

"The Yi and Di people cannot be trusted, especially the Western thieves. They have always been untrustworthy and unjust, and they always go back on their word!"

In the eyes of the Song Dynasty, the Liao Kingdom in the north was still a northern captive.

But in fact, the Liao Kingdom is very anthropomorphic.

What you say means what you say!
Since the Chanyuan Alliance, the border between the two countries has been stable and peaceful for a long time.

Although the people of Liao often threatened and intimidated the Song Dynasty.

But the Liao Kingdom has a very contractual spirit, and after taking the money, it really sticks to its rules.

The Dangxiang people are really a bit too impersonal.

There is no spirit of contract at all!

The Song-Xia peace treaty has been signed so many times, but the party members have never abided by it even once!
Therefore, both the new party and the old party distrust party members.

"Of course, soldiers are deadly weapons, and saints use them as a last resort!"

"That's what I should do."

"You can order all roads in Shaanxi to strictly guard the borders and not start any border provocations without permission!"

"But we should also be prepared for sneak attacks and intrusions by Western thieves, and we can order all troops to be on strict guard."

"Use the opinions of Fan Chun, Zhang Kai and other border ministers to determine the battle and abide by the regulations."

After listening to Zhao Xu's words, Han Jiang and Lu Gongzhu stood up together, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, you are wise!"

Little did he know that Zhao Xu's orders were actually sounding the clarion call for war.

Especially the one that used the opinions of Fan Chun, Zhang Kai and other border ministers to determine the war and abide by the regulations. '

It's completely a war edict.

why?
Because the regulations written by Fan Chunchun, Zhang Kai and others are a set of strategies for defensive counterattacks.

It seems very passive, but only the Xixia people take the initiative to invade.

According to the plan of Fan Chunchun and others, all armies along the border should take active action to coordinate and support other roads.

They even took the initiative to enter the areas controlled by the Xixia people, seeking fighter planes to attract the Xixia army and thus support the invaded areas.

At present, the border ministers stationed on various roads along the border are a luxurious group.

It contains the top commanders of the present, past and future who specialize in Xixia people.

In Xihe there are Zhao Xi and Wang Wenyu, in Shaanxi there are defensive masters like Fan Chunchun and Zhang Kai, and in Hedong there is Lu Huiqing!
Even for the Yongxing Army, Zhao Xu had already transferred Deng Wan through personnel appointments - this happened last year. , changed his name to Yongxing Army.

As for Deng Wan, although he has a bad reputation, he is very capable!

Definitely a good hand at logistics.

It was precisely because of Deng Wan that he never lacked food at Yongxing Junxihe Road.

Then the problem is coming.

Will the Xixia people take the initiative to invade?

In Zhao Xu's previous life, in the second year of Yuanyou, Xixia united with Tubo and took the initiative to enter the Kouxi River. This is something that has been proven by history.

So, will this trend change now?
Zhao Xu had already made his own judgment based on all the intelligence - absolutely not.

In fact, the scale of the Xixia people's invasion will be larger and the time will be earlier.

The reason is very simple.

First of all, the Xixia people's situation of breaking the contract and joining the invaders has not changed - two consecutive years of severe drought have dealt a heavy blow to Xixia's domestic agriculture.

Secondly, Bingchang and the Queen Mother of Daliang died on the same day, which led to the civil strife in Xixia. The Queen Mother of Xiaoliang and the Prime Minister Liang Yibu faced greater internal pressure.

War has been the best choice to divert conflicts since ancient times.

Especially a regime like Xixia.

Transferring internal conflicts to the outside has been their usual strategy since Yuan Hao.

In other words...

The Xixia people have developed path dependence on this.

Once path dependence is formed, it is difficult or even impossible to change!

Therefore, Zhao Xu knew that the invasion of Xixia people would definitely happen.

Now, everything they are doing is putting up smoke bombs and covering up the situation.

That's why Zhao Xu didn't let the Xixia envoy go to see the Queen Mother - he was very aware of the temper of his mother-in-law.

If the Xixia people see her and say a few soft and kind words, she may become soft-hearted. Once she is soft-hearted, she may agree to some conditions of the Xixia people, thus causing difficulties for the Song army in preparing for war.

Of course, Zhao Xu deliberately called together the two prime ministers, the governor of the East Palace, the palace commander, and the deputy commander-in-chief, not just to express his position and show off.

Taking a stand is about unity.

And unity is for the government and the opposition to be united and work together when war comes.

To do this, we must give these ministers some confidence and let them know that the Song Dynasty is no longer the Song Dynasty in the past.

So, Zhao Xu turned his head and looked at the palace commander Yanda who had been sitting silently on the side, drinking tea.

"Your Majesty."

"I'm here!" Yanda immediately put down the tea cup, stood up and bowed.

"Where are Yu Longzhi and the military medical team led by Yan Qing now?" Zhao Xu asked.

"Your Majesty, I am in charge of the official affairs of the injured soldiers on Guangnan West Road. I have been ordered to wait for orders at the old Divine Guards barracks outside the city."

Zhao Xu nodded and said, "I want to come in person and reward the army."

"Your Majesty, please come with me to meet the Yulongzhi who triumphantly returned from the Southern Expedition..."

"This..." The two prime ministers hesitated.

Zhao Xu knew their scruples.

In the Song Dynasty, it was a national policy to control military affairs with culture.

Since Di Qing, no military minister has ever had to pay homage to the Privy Councilor, which is proof of this national policy.

Now, Zhao Xu was going to go out of the city to reward the army in person with two prime ministers, a privy council executive, palace commander, and deputy commander-in-chief.

This is not acceptable to civil servants.

What's more, it was only a team of more than a hundred Yulongzhi who received such an honor.

This is an exaggeration.

"It concerns the secrets of the military and the country!" Zhao Xu said calmly: "I hope you will put aside your grudges and go with me!"

"I promise that when you go, your trip will be worthwhile!"

It’s time for more people to know the secret of firearms.

Because the development of firearms requires more resources and more policy support.

The two prime ministers looked at each other for a long time and then said: "I obey the order."

Zhao Xu laughed and picked up the teacup: "Drink tea, drink tea..."

(End of this chapter)