big song poppi

Chapter 428 0424 [Prelude to the Palace]

The navigation technology of the Song Dynasty was very developed and led the world. However, the problem is that no matter how developed it is, the current ocean-going navigation is still along the coastline.

America hangs alone on the other side of the earth. It is simply wishful thinking and too difficult to cross the vast Pacific with current navigation technology.

The only way is to follow the coastline through the Strait of Malacca, close to South Asia and the Middle East, and reach the Cape of Good Hope in Africa.

Then from the Cape of Good Hope, we arrive in Brazil, South America.

It was easy to achieve before reaching the Cape of Good Hope, and the trade routes had even matured. Every year, maritime merchants departed from Quanzhou Port, circled around the Southeast Asian countries, and arrived in Africa.

Later in the Ming Dynasty, Zheng He's voyages to the West took this route.

The difficulty lies in the section from the Cape of Good Hope to Brazil.

No one is involved in this section yet, and they know nothing about the ocean currents, trade wind belts, islands on the way, supply points, etc.

It takes time, countless lives, and no less than tens of millions of dollars to explore a channel.

Money comes second, and luck is also needed.

Opening up shipping lanes to the Americas cannot only be done by the imperial court, but also requires mobilizing the power of maritime merchants.

As a businessman, as long as you are driven by enough profit, let alone opening up a channel, it can handle anything for you.

As for how to drive it, it is also very simple. When the time comes, we will bring back a few ships of gold from overseas and then let the news out.

It is said that there is a golden mountain opposite the Cape of Good Hope...

While thinking, Han Zhen walked out of the bank unconsciously.

When he came to his senses, he found his wives and concubines surrounding him.

Han Zhen asked: "Have you made your choice?"

Zhao Fujin replied: "I have already chosen it. I see your husband is thinking about it, so I don't dare to disturb you."

"Let's go."

Han Zhen smiled slightly.

Walking all the way to Sangjia Wazi, the bustling scene comes to mind.

It's no wonder that women and children get lost every holiday. In such a crowded scene, if you take a few steps, you will be separated by the crowd.

Under the protection of personal guards, Zhao Fujin led a group of little sisters, who were very naughty.

Even An Niang showed great interest, dragging Han and Zhang around.

Seeing Zhao Fujin standing alone, Han Zhen asked: "Why don't you go naughty?"

"Slave...I, I feel a little uncomfortable."

Zhao Fujin replied in a low voice, with a hint of resentment in his tone.

She still has some inconvenience in her legs and feet...

Hearing this, Han Zhen warned: "These days are going to be good. There will be a fireworks show in the palace during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Remember to come and watch."

"Ah."

Zhao Fujin responded as quietly as a mosquito.

"Husband, husband."

At this moment, Zhao Fujin's silver bell-like voice came.

The little girl trotted over with a bowl in her hand: "The ice-soaked papaya in this shop is very delicious. My husband also wants to try it."

"it is good."

Han Zhen was used to it and took the small bowl.

Every time he went shopping with his wives and concubines, he would eat up.

The little girls had small appetites and wanted to take a bite when they saw the novel food. After they tasted it, the rest went into Han Zhen's stomach.

After handing the bowl to Han Zhen, Zhao Fujin took his sister and left: "Sister, come quickly, there is a puppet show over there."

The next moment, Ma Shuyao came again: "Husband, husband, try this ice-skin cherry cake."

Not long after, Han Zhen had a lot of snacks in his hands.

He just had a full meal in the palace, but he couldn't eat so much, so he distributed all the snacks to Lao Jiu and other guards.

For a time, the monarch and his ministers held various snacks in their hands and ate while walking, which was particularly comfortable.

"Not to mention, the white meat Hu Pancakes here taste really good."

Lao Jiu munched on the biscuits and made serious comments.

Han Zhen tasted the papaya and asked casually: "When do you and the fourth mother of the Kuang family plan to get married?"

Lao Jiu said coquettishly: "I asked you, sir, to calculate it and set it at the beginning of October."

Hearing this, Han Zhen chuckled and said, "I'll go get a wedding drink then."

After shopping until late at night, the wives and concubines were tired of shopping, and then they went home.

……

The next day.

Early in the morning, Wu Min took Zhang Shuye and Sun Fu to Chui Gong Hall for an audience.

Han Zhen also gave him enough face, with a smile on his face: "It is really a blessing for me to have the help of these two great sages. Please give me a seat!"

"Your Majesty is so complimentary."

This attitude made Zhang Shuye very useful.

After the three of them sat down, Han Zhen asked, "What do you two dear ladies think of the current situation?"

This is asking whether the strategy is correct.

The emperor tested ministers before giving them important tasks.

The two of them had already made plans. After Zhang Shuye thought for a moment, he said in a deep voice: "In my humble opinion, today's world seems to be divided into five parts, but in fact, only the three kingdoms of Qi, Song, and Jin are standing in the same corner. Dali is in a corner, and the powerful officials in it are The Gao family controls the government, which is not worth mentioning. Xixia has already sunk since the Great and Liang Dynasties disrupted the government, and now it is just lingering on."

"The barbarians of the Jin Kingdom had a strong military force, relying entirely on their vigor. There were many domestic conflicts and frequent riots and uprisings. Once this vigor was exhausted, the country would decline and collapse quickly. Among the five countries, the Song army was the weakest in combat power. However, with its vast territory and large population, it poses the greatest threat to our country, Qi."

Han Zhen chuckled and said, "Keep talking."

Zhang Shuye took a sip of tea and continued: "Our country of Qi occupies the Central Plains, with the Kingdom of Jin above and Zhao and Song below. It is in a critical situation. If you are not careful, you will be in danger. Your Majesty has great ambitions and has the ambition to dominate the world. , should be combined vertically and horizontally, first south and then north."

Going south first and then north was the strategy that Wang Pu dedicated to Chai Rong, Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty.

The situation in the later weeks at that time was seventy-eight points similar to today.

Later, Zhao Pu's strategy of "pacifying the inside before fighting outside" was an extension of this strategy. Han Zhen asked: "What do you mean, stabilize the Jin Kingdom, make good friends with Wanyan Wu Qingmao, and attack the Song Kingdom first?"

"That's what I mean."

Zhang Shuye nodded and analyzed: "The Kingdom of Jin is not monolithic, and the throne that Wanyan Wu begged to buy is not stable. This time he sent envoys to congratulate His Majesty, it was because he had the intention of making good friends, and he obviously wanted to stabilize His Majesty. , so that you can free up your hands to deal with internal affairs and consolidate the imperial power. Therefore, your Majesty's friendship with the Kingdom of Jin hits the target of Wanyan Wu's begging for bribes."

"As long as the north is stabilized, your majesty will be free to attack the Song Dynasty with all his strength. The south is rich and has many ports. Once the south is captured, the national power will increase several times. By then, your majesty will mobilize more troops to capture Yunzhou. Yan With the Sixteenth Prefecture in hand, the Kingdom of Jin has nothing to fear. Taking Dali to the south and attacking Xixia to the west are all within the reach of Your Majesty!"

"Yes, Zhang Qing is a great talent!"

Han Zhen nodded, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes.

Zhang Shuye said modestly: "Your Majesty is exaggerating. This is just my humble opinion."

"Where is Sun Qing?"

Han Zhen looked at Sun Fu again.

Sun Fu cupped his hands and said, "My views are completely opposite to those of Brother Sun."

"Oh?"

Han Zhen became interested and ordered: "Tell me in detail."

"To make friends from far away and attack those close to home, first go to the north and then go to the south."

Sun Fu paused and said unhurriedly: "The Jin people are barbarians. They will advance if it is beneficial and retreat if it is unfavorable. How can they abide by the covenant. Previously, Zhao and Song signed a maritime alliance with the Jin people. After the demise of the Liao Kingdom, not only did they not follow the agreement The covenant was returned to the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun, but a year later, they tore up the covenant and went south to attack the Song Dynasty. This shows that the Jin people are not trustworthy."

"If we join forces with the Jin Dynasty to attack the Song Dynasty, we will most likely send troops south to plunder when our Qi country attacks the Song Dynasty."

Han Zhen asked curiously: "Is it possible that you want to unite with Xixia?"

"No, Xixia wallflowers can't be trusted either."

Sun Fu shook his head and said sternly: "Yelü Dashi is a hero. His escape to the west must be an attempt to restore the country. Your Majesty can send envoys to form an alliance with Yelu Dashi and join forces to cut down the gold. After occupying Datong, he can then turn around and destroy Xixia. To the north, After Wu Yu, Zhao and Song in the south are just fish on the chopping board, to be slaughtered by your majesty."

The two have two sets of strategic plans, each with its own pros and cons, and both have their merits.

As for how to make a decision, it depends on Han Zhen himself.

Han Zhen did not express his position, but asked: "Zhang Qing, would you like to join the military department?"

Shi Wenhui holds two jobs, but now he is a little overwhelmed and has to find someone to share the burden with him.

Zhang Shuye is capable of both literary and military skills, so he is currently the most suitable candidate.

"Wei Chen is willing to join the military department."

Zhang Shuye responded with his hands raised.

Han Zhen immediately made the appointment and said: "Okay, I will grant you the honor to join the army as a recorder. This position has been held concurrently by Shi Qing before. After taking office, you can hand over the errands to him."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Shuye stood up, dusted his sleeves, and paid homage.

The recorder of Qi State joined the army, but he was actually the second-in-command of the military department, equivalent to the deputy envoy of the Privy Council of Zhao and Song Dynasties.

This trust greatly moved Zhang Shuye's heart.

Then, Han Zhen looked at Sun Fu again and said: "Sun Qing is appointed as the Grand Administrator of Nanjing Road and is in charge of the military and political affairs of Nanjing Road."

The post of prefect is the transport envoy of Zhao and Song Dynasty, and he is a long-term leader.

At present, the whole country of Qi has not been established yet.

However, Nanjing Road is special. It is both an important border town and the future capital, so it needs an official who understands both civil affairs and military affairs.

Master Sun also knelt down and thanked you: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will do my best to live up to Your Majesty's kindness!"

Han Zhen ordered: "In the near future, the official uniforms will be issued. The two beloved ministers have settled down with their families in the past few days and are preparing to take office."

"Your Majesty, please leave!"

Zhang Shuye and the others bowed and left.

After watching them leave, Han Zhen fell into deep thought.

His original strategy was also to move south first and then north.

Capture Zhao and Song, integrate the forces of the north and south, and then destroy the Jin Kingdom and Xixia in one go.

However, Zhang Shuye's strategic plan did have merit.

If Yelu Dashi is used properly, it can save a lot of things.

Thinking of this, Han Zhen ordered: "Pass on my oral instructions and ask Shi Wenhui to inform the military generals to convene a military meeting in five days."

"Slave, take your orders!"

After Liu Chang agreed, he immediately hurried to the cabinet.

……

……

Huining Mansion.

The envoy's urgent information was delivered to Wanyan Wu's begging hands.

It was not surprising that the Sui coin talks collapsed and Wanyan Wu was begging for money. After all, judging from the domineering and forceful behavior shown by Han Zhen, it was abnormal for him to agree.

However, he was happy when he agreed to return the corpses of Wu Shu and others.

This shows that Han Zhen intends to have a temporary truce with the Kingdom of Jin, which is good news for him.

Wanyan Wu Qimai slowly said, "What do you think about the exchange of prisoners of war for the corpses of Wu Shu and others?"

"Of course I have to change!"

Wanyan Xie spoke out without any hesitation.

The Jurchens believe in shamanism, especially the older generation of Jurchen nobles, who are particularly pious.

Shamanism is also particular about the funeral of the deceased.

[The deceased was buried in the field on the same day, with wood made into a small coffin, and pigs were killed and piled on top to serve as food for the deceased. He has a fierce nature and is praised for his lack of sorrow. If a man does not cry when his parents die, he who weeps is said to be weak. 】

"Change, the Song people are just prisoners, we can arrest them if they are gone."

"That's right!"

Several Bo Jilie and tribal leaders also expressed their agreement.

Seeing this scene, Wanyan Wu Qimai nodded and said, "I will write to Nianhan later."

(End of this chapter)