I studied in modern times

Chapter 616 Imperial Meeting (1)

Wuzi (the fourth day of the lunar month) in September of the first year of Yuanyou.

Qian Xie, a member of the Zhongshu family, gave advice to the official Xian Yuqian and Liang Tao, the Taichang Shaoqing, and exchanged official positions.

Su Zhe, the storyteller of Yousi Jian and Jiying Hall, was sent to the imperial court to be Sanlang. He was promoted to Chaoqinglang. He was added to Jixian Academy and given a silver fish bag. He was worshiped as the doctor of Zuo Jianyi.

Zuo Zhengyan said that Zhu Guangting was the Zuo Si Jian, and You Zhengyan said that Shangguan was the You Si Jian.

Su Shi, the imperial attendant and the governor of Dengzhou, was assigned to a post in the imperial court. He was transferred from the Jixian Academy to the Longtu Pavilion.

From then on, everyone can respectfully call him Su Longtu or Su Zhige.

The transfer envoy of the two Zhejiang roads, the court official, and Zhilong Tuge Chen Mu are waiting to be made by Long Tuge.

This means that Chen Mu has officially crossed the threshold of pending production.

Put down the official Zazi who was proposed to be promoted to the capital today.

Since Taizong invented the map of generals and interfered with frontline command.

Zhao Xu then looked at the left prime minister Han Jiang and the two governors of the Privy Council, Li Qingchen and An Tao, who were sitting in the hall in front of him.

"Your Majesty, the Central Secretary has been impeaching Lu Huiqing on the Hedong Economic Strategy recently." Han Jiang sat on the chair and reported slowly: "Foreign left, Su Zhe wrote a letter begging for Lu Huiqing. He spent billions of dollars on labor and mobilization, but nothing happened. The merit is returned and the crime is punished.”

The Song Dynasty has not lost any large-scale forts. The ones that were lost were basically guard posts and beacon towers on the border.

Facts have also proved that as long as Zhao Guan's family is settled in Bianjing and has little command over the frontline affairs, they will not hesitate to express their "real knowledge and insights" thousands of miles away, and even give them a formation map and require the general to use troops according to the formation map.

Both generals and governors feel at ease.

The frontline troops were rewarded in a timely manner, and everything in the rear was arranged properly.

Tibet has not been able to invade Kuozhou so far, and was stopped outside Xige City by Zhong Yi and Xiba Wen.

According to general experience, if they delay for another ten days and a half, they will withdraw because they have run out of food.

Especially Han Jiang and Lu Gong. Of these two prime ministers, one experienced the failure of the Luowucheng strategy, and the other presided over the logistics support work of the Five-Road Expedition to Xia.

What can the wife do?
She could only sigh and shed a few tears silently, and even had to coax her husband with a smile on her face - it wasn't that the husband was incompetent, it was just bad luck!
Otherwise, is it possible to reconcile?
Even if we divorce, can we find a better husband than this?
For thousands of years, throughout the dynasties, the status of literati and officials has never been as high as in the Song Dynasty!

In the end, while the frontline generals and soldiers paid for the micro-management of Zhao officials, the ministers of the DPRK and the Central Government also had to help wipe their butts.

It just so happened that through more than a year of performance, especially the deployment of the southern expedition to Jiaozhi, Zhao Xu won the support of both the government and the public.

All the Zhao officials in the past dynasties loved micromanaging. Their favorite thing was to stay in the palace, thousands of miles away, fantasize about the geography of Shaanxi, and then point fingers from afar.

This is also the meaning of the two palaces, especially the Queen Mother.

"Foreign right, Zhu Guangting is right. He also said that the Qiang tribe recruited by Lu Huiqing may not be a true return to justice, but Huiqing did it for himself."

Do you want them to know the geography of Shaanxi or even Xihe Road, which is thousands of miles away?
Want them to command a large-scale war involving thousands of miles?

no way!
Who told these scholar-officials to be the masters of the other half of this country?
This is like a family where the husband is addicted to food. He likes to gamble in the hook bar if he has a little money, and loses everything in one gamble.

But so far, on the vast battlefield of thousands of miles.

Therefore, nowadays, there is a relaxed atmosphere in the court, especially the three Yamen and the Privy Council.

This is really embarrassing for them.

With their abilities, they are really beyond their capabilities.

I feel deeply about this.

So, although there are various roads along the border, it is almost a pot of porridge now.

I have my own ideas in my mind, I don’t micro-manage, I don’t give blind orders.

Zhang Heng has lost a lot of hair recently!

They came on behalf of the capital to report the military situation along the border and discuss with Zhao Xu.

The main force of Liang Yibu, the prime minister of the Western Bandit State, is still stationed in the Dingxi city area, and Lanzhou remains as stable as a rock.

At this point, the ministers still have to hold their noses and praise the sageness of the officials. Occasionally, there are small setbacks, which are just accidents.

In addition to these three prime ministers, Lu Dafang, the Minister of War, and Zhang Heng, the minister of household affairs, were also present in the hall, sitting behind the prime ministers.

Often, with a single move, the front line would be completely destroyed.

Zhao Xu is different.

Now, if we can't win, it really has nothing to do with Zhao Guan's family.

Even on Xihe Road where the Western Bandits and Tubo were attacking, the battle line had always remained stable.

An official who doesn't care too much, gives money happily, rewards timely, and knows how to respect the decision-making of frontline generals?
God shows mercy!
Both the generals of the three yamen and the governors of the east and west mansions were all in tears.

A woman who lives in a deep palace may not even know how big Bianjing City is.

It is the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War. Looking at the rising military expenditures, one is ahead of the other two.

The generals on the front line naturally know how to use troops.

Therefore, everyone is very attentive.

On the contrary, on the West Bandit side, after more than half a month of fierce attack, except for Xihe Road, all other offensives gradually fell into weakness.

Neither palace knew much about military geography, and even the Empress Dowager, who claimed to be a general, knew nothing about it.

"Although there have been numerous impeachments, His Majesty has kept them all in check."

"I am frightened, and I beg your majesty to send down your virtuous command to calm the hearts of the barbarians in the court." After saying that, Han Jiang stood up and bowed with fluorene.

In fact, Han Jiang's relationship with Lu Huiqing has changed somewhat in the past year.

Of course, just a little.

Therefore, when Lu Jifu is in trouble, he, Han Zihua, will of course like it.

Zhao Xu waved his hands with a smile: "My Lord, I don't know. I have gone to Taiyuan early to accept the official report from Liang Congyi and others. I know that the purpose of sending troops to Hedong is to contain the main force of the Western thieves."

In his heart, he couldn't help but shake his head: "Lu Huiqing, Lu Huiqing, you owe me again!"

Counting what happened last time with Zhang Zhijian.

Lu Huiqing owes him twice!

Han Jiang was stunned for a moment. He knew that the officials were covering up for Lu Huiqing - Liang Congyi, the free agent from Hedong who took over official duties, only took office last year.

Liang Congyi's elder brother was Liang Congji, who had already served as the envoy of Zhaoxuan, the envoy of Yongzhou regiment, and the imperial guard of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (the two were probably not biological brothers, but adopted sworn brothers).

Liang Congji was considered to be an evil person from ancient times and a typical figure among the ministers.

He has been in the army for more than thirty years and has been shot into a hornet's nest several times. He is a figure who has repeatedly jumped on the side of the Lord of Hell.

His ways are the wildest among the ministers.

He is famous because he followed Wen Yanbo to quell the Beizhou Rebellion, so he has a close relationship with the Wen family.

In addition, he also saved Gao Zunyu's life during the Five-Road Expedition to Xia - Gao Zunyu was defeated because he took the last organized Song army to the rear and covered the remnants of the Song army that were washed away by the flood. Successfully retreated to Song Dynasty.

In this battle, Liang Congji suffered more than twenty wounds.

It is said that he was carried back after the war.

Last year, the new emperor came to the throne and ordered Li Xian to return to the court to report on his duties. Liang Congji temporarily took Li Xian's position.

Later, Liang Congji was also transferred back to Bianjing. At the end of last year, he went to Zhaoxuan as an envoy, paid homage to Yongzhou Tuanlian envoy, and then entered the inner province to serve as an official.

Nowadays, the official family gives a house in Xianyifang, Bianjing New Town!

Do you know where Xian Yifang is?

Qinxianzhai is among them!
Who lives in Qinxian's house? Two kings!
Do you still have to ask why Liang Congji, a well-known internal minister and general who is regarded as a villain from the past and a Dian Wei, was sent to Xianyifang?
There is no need to think about who his brother Liang Congyi is.

Then I heard the official continue: "In addition, the Hedong Economic Envoy also sent a letter to me on Wuchen (the first day of the lunar month) of this month to talk about sending troops to Hedong."

"The History of Hedong briefly states that he led 20,000 troops to conquer the Western Bandits. In addition to restraining the Western Bandits' troops and horses on the left wing so that they could not support the Western Bandits on Youzhou and other roads, he also followed the emperor's instructions to Hedong in the sixth year of Yuanfeng. Disturbing story.”

Han Jiang lowered his head and said: "Even so, it is a fact that Lu Huiqing worked hard and mobilized people, spending billions of dollars, but achieved nothing!"

"However, he reported it to the imperial court and asked for credit for the generals..."

"I think it's inappropriate."

Zhao Xu smiled and said, "Sir, please sit down and talk first."

Lu Huiqing's Hedong Road, starting from August Gengxu (25), marched out from Jialu Village, Wubao and Fuzhou, and the troops were divided into two groups.

Lu Huiqing personally led them all the way, crossing the Yellow River to the west, passing through Ningxi Peak, and heading straight to Mingtang River, hoping to find the main force of Xixia's left wing to fight. On the other way, the commander-in-chief, Zhe Keke and other commanders from Zhifu Prefecture, left Fu Prefecture and Lin Prefecture, passed through Ningxing, and went directly to the Kuye River.

The two armies were vast and powerful, and they marched with great fanfare.

However, Xixia's left wing supervisor seems to have changed.

Moreover, he is a seasoned veteran.

His name is not known yet, but he was extremely cautious in using his troops. After learning that the Song Army in Hedong was sending troops in large numbers, he immediately withdrew.

It basically gave up all the forts and land east of Ningxifeng, and reduced its military strength to the Hengshan area with Mingtangchuan as the core.

This is to lure the enemy deeper, lengthen the Song Army's supply line, and then use Xixia's cavalry advantage to repeatedly attack the Song Army's logistics, and even conduct another encirclement and annihilation similar to Haoshuichuan.

Therefore, after Lu Huiqing swept to the Ningxifeng area and found no trace of the Xixia army, he decisively led his troops to retreat and crossed the Kuye River north to join forces with Zhe Xing who had come out of Fuzhou, and then slowly retreated , retreated to the east bank of Kuye River.

By September Wuchen, the operation was over.

According to Lu Huiqing's actual seal report: In the six days before and after, he led his army across 200 miles, destroyed more than ten bandit fortresses, more than 20 large and small Qiang tribes returned to Yiyi, and gained 3,000 men, women and children, and thousands of cattle and sheep. .

Lu Huiqing himself did not declare the end of the war.

Instead, the army was still ordered to wait in Kuyehe, Jialu Village, Wubao and other places.

In his words, it was to contain the Western thieves and fight again at the right opportunity.

Is there any problem with Lu Huiqing going into battle this time?
From a military perspective, of course there is no problem.

Even worthy of praise and praise!
It is also in line with Lu Huiqing's military tactics - since he went abroad, he has always adhered to the strategic thinking of consuming the Western bandits in the military.

He doesn't care about gains at all, he only cares about how much wealth the party members can consume through consumption.

Especially in the past few years in Hedong, he sent troops to disturb the farming on time every year.

The strategic idea is to use the money and silk of the Song Dynasty to burn against the party members.

See who has more money and food.

Strategically speaking, this is certainly no problem.

But the military has never been just a simple military issue.

Military and politics have been inseparable since ancient times!

Lu Huiqing sent out a large number of troops, but got nothing. He only burned a dozen villages of the Western Bandits, kidnapped more than 3,000 Qiang people, and then returned to Jialu Village.

Can his enemies let him go?
Therefore, as soon as his military report entered the court, the Yushitai immediately provoked him and began to impeach him violently.

Even if Zhao Xu mobilized the Bianjing Xinbao to cleanse him, he couldn't do it.

no way!
The significance of Lu Huiqing's battle can only be understood by those who truly understand the stalemate between the Song and Xia wars.

As for the ministers of the DPRK and China, does anyone understand?

There must be!

Han Jiang and Lu Gong are both experts in this field.

However, the question is, why do Han Jiang and Lu Gongzhu speak for Lu Huiqing?
Even if they are willing, will others believe it?
If the two of them dare to say a good word to Lu Huiqing on this issue, they will be criticized.

Treachery, cliques, cover-ups...

The crows will exhaust all the words to bind them to Lu Huiqing.

The two palaces have always hated Lu Huiqing.

If it weren't for Zhao Xu's lobbying and explanation, he also brought together veteran generals such as Guo Kui, Li Xian, and Liang Congji who knew the military, and took a sandbox to explain to the two palaces the significance and role of Lu Huiqing's sending troops in this battle. to the effect.

I'm afraid that when these bullets are delivered to the two palaces, the two palaces will take advantage of the situation and take the opportunity to remove Lu Huiqing from his position as the Hedong Economic Strategy and Comfort Envoy, and find a place to send him away.

Even so, Zhao Xu also knew that the two palaces actually did not believe his explanation.

The two palaces looked up to Lu Huiqing purely because of him.

no way!
It is difficult for people who do not understand war to understand war.

In the eyes of the general public, Lu Huiqing's battle was just a waste of money and food, and gained nothing.

How much did you say the Western bandits were consumed and how many troops were restrained?

You have no evidence!

The general public still trusts their own intuitive judgment.

Therefore, the pressure from public opinion on Zhao Xu's side is really high.

no way!
The Song Dynasty, like the Han and Tang Dynasties, was also a centralized monarchy and an arbitrary dynasty.

But the Song Dynasty was different from the Han and Tang Dynasties.

Under the national policy of co-ruling the world with the scholar-bureaucrats, the emperor's personal power was limited.

The emperor can certainly have his own way.

But scholar-bureaucrats can also put up a show of resistance.

If you don't know how to do it, you will ride on a boat and float in the sea!
Fu Bi did it, Sima Guang did it, and Wang Anshi did it.

Why can't others do it?
Therefore, if he wanted the scholar-officials to cooperate, the emperor had to transfer power, compromise, adopt an attitude of accepting advice humbly, and allow the opinions of the scholar-officials to be fully respected.

For this reason, even other people's spitting stars were sprayed on his face.

You have to endure it!

This was determined by the system of the Song Dynasty.

It is determined by the political ecology formed over the past hundred years since the founding of the country by Taizu and Taizong.

Therefore, Zhao Xu knew very well that he had to give an end.

You can't simply keep all the bullets in and then get rid of people.

Others are not fools!
Especially the crows at Yushitai!

Yes!
The crows are indeed the eagle dogs kept by the emperor, specially used to bite and monitor people.

However, the crows are not NPCs, they also have their own pursuits.

Except for censors like Deng Wan and Cai Que who had already made up their minds and just wanted to make progress.

Starting from Fan Zhongyan, the crows at Yushitai have dared to fight against the emperor's unreasonable edicts, policies, and decisions.

Dismissal? Deposed?
It doesn't matter!
For some of these idealists, this may even create in them a spirit of martyrdom and sacrifice.

A typical example is Fu Yaoyu.

If you demote an official for the sake of the world, you will be happy with it, if you are deposed for the sake of all the people, you will die in a worthy place!

Confucius said it was Cheng Ren, and Mencius said it was Qi Yi.

The Song Dynasty has been raising scholars for 150 years, only in this era!
Now Fu Yaoyu is sitting in the Yushitai. This selfless Lieutenant Commander was famous all over the world for sticking to his position and never wavering.

Do you want him to surrender on principle?

Zhao Xu felt that if Fu Yaoyu got excited, he could shout in the court: The man who dominates the world has not been your majesty for a long time!

Zhao Xu took a deep look at Han Jiang.

He knows that the left prime minister is handing him a ladder!

This is asking him, the emperor, to explain the current public opinion.

Answer some questions that are of concern to both the government and the public.

In particular, those issues that the old party literati and officials are generally concerned about.

Can Yuanyou’s New Deal be maintained?
Your Majesty, by protecting Lu Huiqing like this now, do you plan to follow the old path of Xixi and Feng in the future when you take charge?
These issues are also the reason why Lu Huiqing's matter is causing such a fuss now.

No one is stupid!

Anyone with a discerning eye can see it - what happened last time with Zhang Zhijian can also be explained as Zhang Zhijian's resistance to the imperial edict.

So he deserves to die, and his death is reasonable.

But this time it’s different!

Completely different!

(End of this chapter)