big song poppi

Chapter 531 0528 [Zhao Ting: It’s my turn to take the blame]

Outside Xuande Gate.

Zhao Fujin was dressed in fine clothes and had a phoenix crown on his head, looking elegant and noble.

Han Zhang and other concubines were also dressed in costumes and stood quietly at the back.

When Han Zhen's figure appeared at the end of Royal Street, the eyes of all the girls lit up, and they couldn't hide the smiles on their lips.

An Niang and the Di sisters were about to give birth, and their swollen bellies held up their palace clothes.

When Han Zhen rode up to him, Zhao Fujin resisted the urge to pounce on him and bowed gracefully.

"I congratulate Your Majesty on your victory and triumph. Congratulations to Your Majesty and congratulations to everyone."

Seeing An Niang and the Di sisters bowing tremblingly with their big bellies, Han Zhen was startled and said quickly: "The queen and my beloved concubine don't need to be polite."

Facing the beautiful eyes of all the women, Han Zhen waved his hand.

"Go back to the palace."

After returning to the palace in a grand manner, Han Zhen had no time to be gentle with his wives and concubines, but first met with the officials in Chui Gong Hall.

This imperial expedition lasted for more than three months, and there were still a lot of things waiting for him to deal with.

Han Zhen asked loudly: "How is it at home?"

This time to seize the Xijing Road, more than 300,000 civilians were recruited to transport grain, grass and baggage.

Today, there are still 100,000 people traveling between the Central Plains and the Northland.

On the other side, they attacked Song Dynasty and mobilized 200,000 civilians.

Soldiers need to eat and drink, and these civilians also need to eat, drink, and have sex. This is all money.

Since the war started, the state treasury has been running out of money, and domestic food prices have soared.

And those who have been hardest hit are ordinary people.

Fortunately, Han Zhen's blitzkrieg was very successful. Otherwise, if it dragged on for a year and a half, there would be a lot of resentment and sorrow in the country.

Xie Ding replied: "The country has been temporarily stabilized. The Academy of Commerce has taken the lead, and various states, prefectures, and counties have intervened and cooperated to stabilize food prices within a range acceptable to the people. In one or two months, the summer harvest will begin, and Shandong, During the rice harvest in Lianghuai, Jiangnan and other places, in addition to supplying frontline soldiers, there will be a lot of surplus, and grain prices will fall again. "

Han Zhen asked again: "Where are the two places in Hebei?"

Chang Yukun said: "After a year of recuperation last year, Hebei should be able to become self-sufficient this year. If there are no large-scale natural disasters this year or next, there will be no need for state treasury subsidies."

Hebei Lianglu is located on the North China Plain, with the Yellow River crossing it, and adjacent to the Bohai Sea. It should have become a granary like the Huaihe River and Jiangnan, but in the hands of Zhao and Song, it became a barren land.

The main reason for this result is that the Sixteen States of Yanyun are not in hand.

Whether it is the Three Changes of the Yellow River or the annual military disasters, tracing back to the source is all for national defense.

It wasn't until Han Zhen went north to fight against the Jin last year, defeated Wanyan Zongwang, and retaken Nanjing Road that the people in Hebei Province finally got a chance to breathe.

Coupled with a series of benevolent policies such as planting land into acres, encouraging land reclamation, and interest-free loans of seeds, farm tools, and cattle, Hebei has regained its vitality.

But it will take at least a few years to see a return.

To be honest, Han Zhen was very satisfied that Hebei and the two roads could be self-sufficient and not cause trouble to the court.

As for the Hedong and Northwest Five Roads, there is currently no good solution. These two areas are seriously barren. Before Xixia is solved, blood transfusions can only be provided by the treasury.

After asking about domestic civil affairs, the monarchs and ministers began to discuss matters.

Zhao Ding, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, said: "Your Majesty, there are currently vacancies on Xijing Road, Hedong Road, Northwest Fifth Road and many state capitals in the south. Local officials reported a month ago that government affairs are busy and the number of officials and replacement officials is scarce. , had to hold multiple positions, so he asked for additional officials and supplementary officials."

Han Zhen issued an edict: "Instruct all state governments to open courses to recruit scholars according to the actual local vacancies. The cabinet has drafted an order to open the lock examination at the end of next month and go to the Memorial Hall to cooperate with the publicity."

"I accept your order!"

Zhao Ding and Ma Yundi bowed in response.

At this time, Yu Bozhuang, deputy dean of the Academy of Engineering, stepped forward: "Your Majesty, four colleges including the Academy of Engineering have been established, but there are only a few current students. Should we consider recruiting students?"

After the words fell, all the courtiers had different expressions.

Yu Bozhuang has no eyesight. The four major colleges have been built, but the number of students is sparse. Doesn’t Your Majesty know?
Of course I know.

The reason why I never mentioned it was obviously because I planned to save the sweet dates for the southern scholars after the reunification of the north and the south.

The key thing is that His Majesty cannot say it clearly. Once he does, it will make the scholars in the Central Plains and the North feel unhappy.

At present, under the political framework of Qi State, there are roughly three paths for people to be promoted.

One, join the army.

Second, take the supplementary official examination.

Third, enter the four major colleges.

After graduating from the college, students can directly enter each college as a supplementary officer.

Zhao Ting knew that the time had come for him to take the blame, so he immediately jumped out and retorted: "I think that the enrollment matter can be delayed for a while. The four major colleges are the cornerstone of a strong country. It is better to lack than to overfill. Once the north and the south are unified, it will not be too late to recruit students again."

There are some things that are difficult for the emperor to say, and he needs a minister to speak for him.

When news of this incident spread, the scholars in the Central Plains criticized Zhao Ting and had nothing to do with Han Zhen.

Yu Bozhuang was not a stupid person. He understood immediately and hurriedly bowed and said: "Xiang Zhao is right, but I acted too hastily. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"Yu Qing cares about the country, what's the crime?"

Han Zhen laughed it off and passed over the matter.

Xie Ding said: "Your Majesty, how should we deal with the pseudo-Song officials in the southern states and counties?"

Han Zhen muttered: "The officials who took the initiative to open the city and surrender will keep their original posts for the time being. The captured officials will be escorted to Dali Temple and handed over to the Inspectorate for interrogation. According to the degree of guilt, their homes should be ransacked and those who should be exiled." "I accept the order!"

Chen Dong responded loudly.

"Your Majesty, good news, good news from the south!"

At this moment, Liu Chang ran into the hall with a happy face.

Hearing this, all the courtiers' eyes lit up.

"Send it up."

Han Zhen ordered.

After taking the battle report presented by Liu Chang and glancing at it, Han Zhen slapped the table and said with a smile: "Wang Yan did a great job!"

Seeing all the ministers looking at him eagerly, he said loudly: "The deputy general of the Xuzhou Army, Wang Yan, led a thousand elites to surprise Xi'an County in Quzhou, shot and killed the traitor Tong Guan, and captured alive the puppet Emperor Zhao Kai of the Song Dynasty and more than fifty officials. "

Wow!

This news immediately caused an uproar in Chui Gong Hall.

The ministers looked excited, this news was really exciting.

Immediately, all the courtiers shouted: "Congratulations to Your Majesty, congratulations to everyone!"

While Han Zhen was overjoyed, he regretted: "It's a pity that Zhao Ji escaped during the chaotic battle. This fellow was able to escape."

Xie Ding asked: "May I ask Your Majesty, where can the battle report mention where Zhao Ji fled?"

"According to Wang Yan's speculation, Zhao Ji should have fled to Jianzhou, Fujian, under the protection of Xin Xingzong."

After Han Zhen finished speaking, he turned around and asked, "Is there any news from the Jianzhou Secret Intelligence Department?"

Xiaochong immediately replied: "Replying to your majesty, there is no news. Zhao Ji has just arrived in Jianzhou. I estimate it will take a few days."

Chang Yukun looked excited and said: "The capture of the puppet Song emperor alive this time has dealt a huge blow to the puppet Song Dynasty in the south, and the morale of the soldiers and civilians has been completely lost. Even if Zhao Ji escapes, it will not affect the overall situation. I thought that I would work together to destroy the puppet Song Dynasty and completely capture the south. All in one battle!"

"I second the proposal!"

Wu Min and others echoed.

Military officials, however, are not so optimistic.

Zhang Shuye smiled bitterly: "I am about to report to your majesty that the officers and soldiers of the Yanzhou Army and Xuzhou Army who attacked the Song Dynasty are all from the north. They are not suitable for the hot and humid environment in the south. They have been fighting for more than three months. Now many soldiers have contracted serious diseases. Doctors in the army There were not enough, so a large number of doctors were recruited from Shandong, Gyeonggi and other places to rush to the front line to treat the soldiers. "

"The environment in Fujian and Guangdong and Guangxi is harsh, with numerous mountains and rivers, dense forests, countless poisonous snakes and insects, and miasma that is difficult to guard against. If we attack forcefully, we will only kill a thousand enemies and suffer eight hundred losses. Therefore, I thought that after taking the two Zhejiang roads, I would recruit local Nan People join the army, train for a year and a half, and then plan for Fujian and Guangdong."

Compared with the Tang Dynasty, Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian have been developed at this time, but the extent of development is limited.

Fujian was slightly better. With the help of shipping from Quanzhou Port, Fujian gradually got rid of the label of a barbaric land. Its literary style flourished, and the proportion of Fujian officials in the DPRK and China also increased significantly.

But most areas are still barren.

Not to mention Guangdong and Guangxi. The Northern Song Dynasty’s rule over Guangdong and Guangxi was almost the same as being in ruins. During the reign of Song Renzong, Nong Zhigao was even forced to rebel. In just a few months, most of Guangdong and Guangxi were captured. In the end, it was Di Qing who took action personally to suppress the rebellion.

Moreover, there are many native tribes in Fujian and Guangdong and Guangxi, with different folk customs and even beliefs. There are many chieftains and their forces are complicated. Even if they are conquered, governance will be a problem.

Once it is not handled properly, there is no guarantee that a second Nong Zhigao will not pop up.

Han Zhen nodded and said: "Fujian and Guangxi can slow down and plan for it slowly, but Jinghu and Shuzhong need to be captured as soon as possible."

The development potential of Jinghu Lake is huge. Today's Yunmengze, after thousands of years, is gradually disappearing, turning into lakes dotted here and there, and the fertile Jianghan Plain.

Shuzhong is a land of abundance, with a prosperous economy and a prosperous culture.

Apart from other things, Shu Brocade alone, combined with sea trade, can create at least tens of millions of dollars in foreign exchange every year.

Chang Yukun suggested: "Your Majesty, I believe that the lock-up examination, the science examination and even the college entrance examination are related to the country. The time should be fixed, so that the domestic scholars can be prepared."

"What Xiang Xiang said makes sense, I agree with you!"

"I second the proposal."

Many officials seconded the proposal and expressed their agreement.

Han Zhen called out: "Yu Bozhuang."

"Chen is here!"

Yu Bozhuang took a step forward.

Han Zhen ordered: "Let the Si Tianjian officials calculate the date."

The date of the three subjects is not randomly selected. It must not only choose an auspicious day, but also need to avoid the busy farming season, and also take into account the time it takes for scholars from all over the country to come to Beijing.

"I accept your order!"

Yu Bozhuang bowed and responded.

After Yu Bozhuang returned to the queue, Wu Min, the Minister of Rites, came out and asked, "Your Majesty, when will the celebration banquet be scheduled?"

"The celebration banquet is postponed for the time being. The war between Xijing Road and the south has not yet been decided. When the army returns to the court, there will be another grand ceremony."

Han Zhen looked around and asked, "Dear ladies, do you still have any memorials?"

Seeing that no one said anything, he ordered: "The military department will stay, and all of you who love me, please step back."

"I resign!"

Not long after, only a few people were left in the huge Chui Gong Hall.

(End of this chapter)