I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 467: Change from defense to offense! Xihe's strategy of expanding its border begins

afternoon.

Forbidden, hang down the hall.

Zhao Zhen stood at the entrance of the palace, looking at the northwest sky, his eyes red and filled with grief.

"It's my fault, it's my fault! The northwest is bitterly cold, and I know he has a cold. I should have called him back to the capital long ago..."

Zhao Zhen's heart was full of self-blame.

Fan Zhongyan was both a teacher and a friend to Zhao Zhen.

Back then, Fan Zhongyan submitted a memorial pleading with Empress Dowager Liu to return power, submitted a petition to the cabinet to depose Empress Guo, and presented the "Chart of Officials" to impeach Lu Yijian for controlling the government. These were things that Zhao Zhen did not dare to do.

later.

If it weren't for Fan Zhongyan's northwest defense strategy of "building cities and forts, using defense as offense", the northwest of the Song Dynasty would have been hard to have had peace for several years.

If Fan Fu's new policies had not torn apart the poor and weak corner of the Song Dynasty, the subsequent reforms throughout the Song Dynasty would not have achieved the huge success it did today.

……

Zhao Zhen clenched his fists tightly and muttered, "The Xixia people took advantage of Lord Fan's death to plunder. I will make them pay the price!"

……

And this moment.

The Secretariat, inside the Council of State Affairs Hall.

Wen Yanbo felt extremely sad as he received the urgent report on the northwest military situation from Chuigong Hall.

"With the death of Mr. Fan, our Song Dynasty is like a corner of the sky has collapsed!"

The other gentlemen also recalled their past experiences of working with Fan Zhongyan, and couldn't help but shed tears.

Fu Bi, who had presided over the New Policies of the Qingli Period together with Fan Zhongyan, burst into tears.

Nearly fainted.

There was no official in the court who did not admire Fan Zhongyan.

If we count the literati and officials since the founding of the Song Dynasty, the only one who was both civil and military, both virtuous and talented, and who won the admiration of scholars all over the world was Fan Zhongyan.

at the same time.

Upon hearing the bad news, Di Qing, Wang Yaochen, Fan Zhen, He Tan, Su Liang and others rushed to the Secretariat's Council of State Affairs.

They just heard the news.

However, I have not seen any specific information, so I have to come to the Secretariat to confirm it.

A moment later, in the government hall.

Su Liang and others saw the specific content of the intelligence.

Fan Zhongyan died of illness on February 20th. Three days later, Qiang bandits looted Xihe Town, causing nearly a thousand casualties.

There is a reason why the intelligence used the term "Qiang bandits" instead of Dangxiang people.

The Dangxiang people are a type of Qiang people.

Along the Xi River, Qiang bandits were rampant; they were bandits on the surface but not soldiers.

When intelligence could not confirm whether the Qiang bandits were instigated by the Western Xia court, only the word "Qiang bandits" could be used in reports.

But one thing is certain, it was Fan Zhongyan's death that gave them the courage to plunder Xihe Town.

Before his death, Fan Zhongyan left two last words.

First, I wish to be buried in the northwest to protect the people living on the border; and to be buried with my clothes and hat in my hometown, in the Fan family charity cemetery.

Second, the Dangxiang people are all bandits and cannot be united with.

Di Qing was promoted by Fan Zhongyan in the northwest. He was most excited after reading Fan Zhongyan's last words.

"Qing wants to ask the government to allow him to go to the northwest, firstly to attend the funeral of Lord Fan, and secondly to implement the strategy of expanding the border in Xihe. If possible, he wants to directly destroy Xixia. What do you think?"

Di Qing couldn't wait to go to war with Western Xia.

Wen Yanbo thought for a moment and said, "Prime Minister Di Shu, this matter has a huge impact. There are many things to consider when deciding whether to implement the Xihe border expansion plan. We need to make a long-term plan."

At this moment, Wen Yanbo was still relatively rational.

Fu Bi said, "Let's go to Chuigong Hall to meet the emperor. With the death of Lord Fan, there will definitely be unrest in the northwest. The court will definitely send another commander. We need to discuss it seriously."

……

A quarter of an hour later, inside the Chuigong Hall.

The ministers of the two governments and three ministries, as well as the censors Fan Zhen, He Tan and Su Liang all came before Zhao Zhen.

Wen Yanbo was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, Lord Fan has passed away. The court has lost a pillar in the northwest, and the deterrence against Xixia has been greatly reduced!"

"Since September last year, Xixia has been severely affected by drought. The people have no food, bandits are everywhere, and the Xixia treasury is also very empty. They will definitely take this opportunity to set their sights on the Xihe border, or even Qinzhou."

"I suggest that we send another general to take charge of the situation in the northwest. On the one hand, we should find out whether the 'Qiang bandits' are Xixia soldiers. On the other hand, we should represent the court to hold funerals for Lord Fan. On the other hand, we can also consider whether to officially start the Xihe border expansion plan."

Swish!
Di Qing, Fu Bi, Wu Yu, Ouyang Xiu, Zeng Gongliang, and Liang Shi stood up almost at the same time and said in unison: "I am willing to go!"

At this time, Di Qing took another step forward.

"Your Majesty, I have been managing the northwest for many years, and this matter is my responsibility. In addition, I think that what we can do now is not only to implement the Xihe border expansion strategy, but if there is a chance, we can completely destroy Xixia. Now that the Liao Kingdom is in civil strife, it is a godsend opportunity!"

As soon as Di Qing finished speaking, Wu Yu stood up.

"Prime Minister Di Shu, I think that among us, you are the only one who is least suitable to go to the northwest. First, you hate Xixia to the core because of Lord Fan's death, and you are prone to be impatient. It is not easy to expand the border of Xihe. If you want to destroy Xia, you may lose your mind and make a big mistake. In war, you must not act on impulse!"

"Your Majesty, I suggest that we proceed according to the original plan. The expansion of Xihe border should be put on the agenda. Once we recover Hehuang and make sure that Western Xia is attacked from the inside, we will no longer be a concern." Ouyang Xiu said.

Followed by.

Fu Bi said: "I also think that we should proceed according to the original plan. If we destroy Xixia all at once, it will consume a lot of our manpower, material resources and financial resources. By then, I am afraid that we will be very passive, and the Liao Kingdom will take the opportunity to grow. In addition, the Hebei border is our main battlefield. As the commander-in-chief of the army, Di Shuxiang should stay in Bianjing City to guard against the Liao Kingdom. I recommend myself to go to the northwest to govern!"

The relationship between Fu Bi and Fan Zhongyan is no less affectionate than that between Di Qing and Fan Zhongyan.

At this time.

Su Liang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I think it is meaningless to discuss whether to expand the border or destroy Xixia in one fell swoop. We can expand the border first, and if Xixia rebels, we will destroy them. I recommend Di Shu to go, because he knows the northwest best and he has the best chance of winning!"

"As long as the emperor allows me to go to the northwest, I am willing to resign the post of Privy Councilor!" Di Qing said excitedly.

Right now.

An eunuch ran over from outside and shouted, "Your Majesty, this is an urgent letter from Xixia Prime Minister Mo Zang Epang."

When Zhao Zhen heard that it was not a letter from Epang, he quickly asked the eunuch to bring it in. He opened it and took a closer look, and couldn't help but frowned.

"Shameless!" After reading the letter, Zhao Zhen handed it to Prime Minister Wen Yanbo, and all the ministers in the hall began to read it.

This letter.

It was an apology letter from the Western Xia Prime Minister, Mo Zang Epang.

He first expressed his condolences for the death of Fan Zhongyan, and then said that the looting of Xihe Town by the Qiang bandits had nothing to do with the Western Xia court.

It was because before and after the New Year, there was a serious drought in Xixia, and there were more and more thieves and unruly people. Then a group of cruel thieves looted Xihe Town.

He has captured five people and beheaded them all, and is still trying to catch them.

He hoped that Song and Xia would remain at peace, and he would capture all the looters as soon as possible and then give an explanation to the Song Dynasty.

Although Mo Zang Epang seemed to be sincerely admitting his mistakes, in fact, it was not serious.

Everyone knows that all the people in Western Xia are soldiers, and everyone knows that it would take at least two to three thousand men to plunder Xihe Town.

Moreover, Xihe Town has thousands of veteran soldiers deployed for defense, as well as hundreds of bows and crossbows.

This is simply not something that a few dozen bandits and thieves can accomplish.

If their group can grow to a size of two to three thousand people, then they are not bandits, but soldiers from a certain tribe of Western Xia.

Zhao Zhen thought for a moment and said, "I agree with Su Qing. We should expand the border according to the plan first. If the Xixia people are stubborn, we can completely destroy them. As for the selection of candidates, let Di Shu go!" "With Pang Ji and Han Qi in the north, I feel relieved."

"Mr. Di, in five days, you will lead 10,000 Kaifeng imperial guards to the northwest, and take on the post of Privy Councilor, concurrently serving as the General Manager of the Four Routes of Shaanxi, and the Governor of Yongxing Army! First, hold a funeral for Lord Fan, and then find out the identity of the Qiang bandits. The border expansion in Xihe can be fully launched, and after the border expansion is successful, if there is a good opportunity to destroy Xia, do your best to destroy Xia!"

Di Qing was overjoyed and said, "I obey your command!"

"Zeng Qing, after Prime Minister Di Shu leaves the capital, you will be in charge of the Privy Council!"

"I obey your command!" Zeng Gongliang also raised his hand immediately. This time, the emperor was unusually decisive and ruthless.

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Di Shu has a very close relationship with Duke Fan, and I am afraid he will act on impulse. Could you please let me go to the northwest with you? I am willing to be a soldier and recover Hehuang!" Fu Bi bowed heavily.

Zhao Zhen shook his head.

"Mr. Fu, I know what you are thinking, but the court still cannot do without you!"

Then, Zhao Zhen looked at Prime Minister Wen Yanbo and said, "I will personally write the 'Monument of Praise for the Virtuous' for Mr. Fan, and grant him the title of Grand Master. I also recommend the posthumous title of Wenzheng. After the confirmation of the ritual officials, we will send them to the northwest together."

"I obey your command!" Wen Yanbo bowed heavily.

It was a foregone conclusion that Fan Zhongyan would be awarded the title of Grand Tutor and posthumously named Wenzheng, and no one would ever object to it.

Zhao Zhen looked at Wang Yaochen, the Third Secretary, again.

"The three divisions must prepare all the troops, money and food properly to ensure that if a war breaks out in the northwest, there will be no risk of insufficient food and grass!"

"I obey your command!" Wang Yaochen, the envoy of the Three Departments, bowed heavily.

Zhao Zhen thought for a moment, and then said, "Su Qing, I order you to be the military supervisor of the Western Army, and you will also go to the northwest with Prime Minister Di Shu! Prime Minister Di Shu is responsible for the battles, and you are responsible for making us fight with reason, and every battle is justified. We will strive to complete the border expansion strategy this year. In addition, you will also take the Longyu Army with you."

"I obey your command. I will never let you down!" Su Liang also bowed.

At that moment, among the officials in the court, only Su Liang could restrain Di Qing's impulsiveness.

Su Liang's wisdom and Di Qing's bravery are a perfect combination.

Zhao Zhen's series of orders also boosted the morale of all officials.

Sometimes, there is no need to think too much and worry too much.

According to the current capabilities of the Song Dynasty, it is fully capable of fighting whenever it wants. It is time for the Song Dynasty to take a big step forward.

……

The next day.

The news of Fan Zhongyan's death spread throughout the city of Bianliang.

The people were all sad, and many people even cried in the streets.

Whether a scholar-official has done practical things for the people can be most easily seen from whether the people will miss him after his death.

Fan Zhongyan undoubtedly won the hearts of the people in the entire city of Bianliang.

In addition, the news that Di Qing and Su Liang were heading to the western border also reached the ears of the people.

Although the imperial court has not yet declared war on Western Xia, everyone knows what the combination of these two people means.

The people of the Song Dynasty hated the Xixia people the most.

……

It’s nearly noon on the fifth day of March.

The Secretariat issued another decree, promoting Su Liang to the position of Chief Censor, in charge of the Censorate.

Most officials had guessed the meaning of this imperial edict, and no one raised any objection.

As the military supervisor of the Western Army, Su Liang was obviously unable to control the situation with his fifth-rank military position, so Zhao Zhen directly promoted him to the third-rank.

The position of Chief Censor.

This was also what Zhao Zhen had always kept for Su Liang, and now it was just a matter of going with the flow.

……

afternoon.

Just when all the officials in the court were busy with Di Qing and Su Liang's trip to the northwest.

Wei Qingfeng, the chief of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, suddenly submitted a memorial, saying: On the first day of April, the sun will be eclipsed by a heavenly dog, which is a warning from heaven and it is not appropriate to kill or punish.

A solar eclipse is a day when the sun is eaten by the dog.

At present, the Sitianjian is able to accurately predict the time of solar and lunar eclipses.

According to the calculations of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory, a solar eclipse was a punishment from heaven on the king.

If one does not cultivate benevolence and kills people at will, he will suffer even more severe punishment from heaven.

The Imperial Observatory suggested: change the reign title, issue an imperial edict to refute one's mistakes, and resolve the Xihe Rebellion peacefully.

This memorial caused a heated discussion in the court.

Because, at the beginning of the year there was a cold epidemic, Concubine Zhang passed away, the wise prime minister Fan Zhongyan also died of illness, and then there was a solar eclipse.

They are all ominous signs.

Under such omens, if we go against the will of heaven and start a war, I am afraid that the Song Dynasty will be doomed.

In Su Liang's eyes, this is a natural phenomenon.

But in the eyes of Zhao Zhen and a group of scholar-officials, this was a punishment from God.

All of a sudden, officials submitted memorials one after another.

It is suggested that a civilian be sent to the northwest border to peacefully resolve the dispute with Western Xia. At least, there should be no war in the first half of this year.

The ministers of the two governments also became nervous and began to think about the new reign title.

Officials of the Academy of Scholars have even begun to think about how to write a confession of guilt for the emperor.

Even Zhao Zhen backed out, began to reduce regular meals and remove luxurious items from the palace.

They do not have Wang Anshi's unrealistic idea that "natural disasters are nothing to be afraid of."

The punishment from heaven frightened them more than the laws of their ancestors.

Su Liang didn't want to delay the battle because of the solar eclipse, so he thought about it and decided to go to the Imperial Observatory.

……

The next day, early in the morning, Su Liang came to the Sitianjian.

Wei Qingfeng, the chief inspector of the Imperial Observatory, a thin middle-aged man with a Taoist look, came over with a smile.

"Su Zhongcheng, you are such a rare guest. Come and sit down, come and sit down!"

Su Liang got straight to the point and said, "Mr. Wei, can you please report to the emperor that the solar eclipse is a normal astronomical phenomenon, not a warning from heaven?"

"Su...Su Zhongcheng, you...you can't say these things carelessly! Since ancient times, a solar eclipse has been a bad omen, symbolizing the wrath of God. The emperor must reform himself and reform his politics. You can't speak carelessly, you can't speak carelessly, God can hear you!" Wei Qingfeng pointed to the sky.

Most of the officials in the Imperial Observatory believed in Taoist theology, and all had the goal of seeking the truth and cultivating immortality.

Su Liang smiled helplessly.

"Wei Jiancheng, please gather all the officials of the Imperial Observatory here, and I will teach you a lesson!"

"I wonder what Minister Su is going to teach?" Wei Qingfeng looked puzzled.

Su Liang thought for a moment and said, "I will tell you a truth that even God cannot tell you."

Wei Qingfeng didn't ask any more questions and started calling people immediately. Su Liang's official rank was much higher than his, so he could only do as he was told.

-

Note: "Continuation of Zizhi Tongjian Changbian": Yihai, Sitianjian said that the first day of April should be eaten. Gengchen, Deyi, changed the year, reduced the death penalty to one level, and pardoned those below exile. Guiwei, changed clothes, avoided the main hall, and reduced the usual meals.

(End of this chapter)