Dawn of the Empire

Chapter 493 92 Five Lakes Company under the pillow-4

The speaker was unintentional, but the listener was interested, Zhao Huan's eyes froze slightly.

In the city of Ezhou, Zhao Xingde had quite a few supporters. Some people muttered: "The emperor does not send hungry soldiers, but the prefectures and counties are in arrears of food and wages, and the Baoyi army will not be able to fight hungry." "Brother Fan said that Mr. Zhao is biased. Brother Fan, do you know that Huang Zongwang knows the state?"

Fan Xuzhou wondered: "Huang Zongwang? I heard that there is quite an official voice in your whole prefecture? What happened to him? What's the matter with Zhao Xingde?" He made a special trip to elect the prime minister from afar, and did not return to Guangnan Road immediately after that, but stayed in Ezhou to make friends with wise men from all over the world.Huang Zongwang's official reputation is quite good, Fan Xuzhou has also heard of it, and from what Zeng Chucai said, obviously there are some stories in it.

Zeng Chucai hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Forget it, the matter has been settled, so it's okay to talk about it." He looked around, and said, "Just over a month ago, the Military Supply Office urged the whole prefecture to pay a batch of bows. Swimming gum, the prefecture couldn’t get enough of it for a while, so the elders asked the magistrate, and asked the magistrate to report to the Military Supply Department, asking to replace it with the white wax rod that is a special product in this state. Huang Zhizhou heard this, but told the elders that this swim bladder is not unique to the whole prefecture Its products are known all over the world, and there has always been a fixed number. If this time, the white wax rod, which is a special product of Honshu, is used instead of the swim bladder, the imperial court will never forget the white wax rod. Hearing this, all the elders in the whole state were amazed by Huang Zhizhou, so they pooled money to buy swim bladder from a neighboring county and handed it over to the Military Supply Office.” At this point, Zeng Chu stopped to drink Sip of tea.

Fan Xuzhou took a sip of tea, said with a smile: "For the common people, Huang Zhizhou is a loyal elder." He is from Duanxi.Since the Duan Inkstone was listed as a tribute, successive prefectures and counties have used it to exploit the place, and the people nearby have been miserable. Later, the famous minister Bao Zheng reduced the regular number of Duan Inkstones used by the government, but to this day, Duan Inkstones are still local. A big burden.On the contrary, after the northern captives invaded, the court no longer had the heart to collect inkstones, and the local people breathed a sigh of relief instead.

Zhao Huan also nodded slightly when he heard that, Wang Chongyi said: "Pewter wax rod is the best material for making spear sticks and big bows. I am ignorant and ignorant, I always thought that this thing can only be found in the Central Plains, but I didn't expect that there is such a thing in Quanzhou." Zhou He whispered: "It was planted by Nong Zhigao and Annan Li Chao when they rebelled. I didn't expect it to be used." He squinted his eyes and didn't explain any more.

At this time, another person in the teahouse shook his head and said, "Northern captives invaded our dynasty and invaded our court. There is such a military and state affairs in this state. Huang Zongwang doesn't want to serve the country, but tries to hide it. He really doesn't know the general situation. How can such a person know the state?" ?”

As if echoing his words, Zeng Chucai put down the teacup, and said again: "However, there is no impenetrable wall in the world. After the Military Quartermaster's Office learned of this, some people were quite dissatisfied with Huang Zhizhou, and even wanted to investigate him for concealing and not reporting the white wax pole. , this matter has not become a big deal, it spread to the ears of Mr. Zhao, Mr. Zhao said, it is the responsibility of the military supply department to urge the payment of food and military supplies, and it is also the responsibility of Huang Zhizhou to plan for the people of one party. This is their own duty. If you want to If Huang Zhizhou gave up his duty for military supplies, the people of the state will no longer have a chance to breathe."

Fan Xuzhou seemed preconceived and said: "Zhao Xingde can't be offended at both ends. Everyone can say nice words, but they may not succeed in doing things." Zeng Chucai shook his head: "Brother Fan's words are wrong, Mr. Zhao is talking about military supplies and The prefects each abide by their own ambitions, and if there is any conflict, the court can discuss the law and decide." He smiled slightly: "Using public discussion to protect justice, isn't Brother Fan here for this purpose?"

Fan Xuzhou didn't say a word after hearing him finish speaking, and unconsciously puffed out his chest.Although his reputation in other places is not obvious, he is also a celebrity in Duanxi. The regret in his life is that he has never been able to pass the Jinshi examination and cannot be an official.Before the public discussion of the county school, Fan Xuzhou was unavoidably depressed and frustrated, and he disliked everyone, even Zhao Xingde, who is famous all over the world, in his eyes, he was just a person with a vain name.However, ever since he became a county-level scholar, whether in the county or in Ezhou, it seems that his words have become more and more important. Everyone calls him Mr. Fan Xuzhou has gradually become quite proud of this status. Gradually, he is no longer as cynical as before.

At this time, someone nearby said: "In my opinion, the dispute between Mr. Chen and Mr. Hou to participate in politics was originally a stalemate. Mr. Zhao played a very important role. He supported Mr. Chen with his prestige. No matter how hard you try to participate in politics, you can only live in a corner of the east of Beijing." The people next to him laughed, although Hou Huanyin also has a large number of party members in the southeast, but in Ezhou City, the reputation of this political adviser is still not enough of.

Someone said: "Don't forget that even Mr. Huang Zhoushan, who advocated the theory of election by public discussion, is also inclined to hold Chen Xiang."

Another person said: "Mr. Zhoushan only lives in Ezhou to give lectures, but he can't say who he is partial to." He shook his head and sighed, "Unfortunately, Mr. Zhao, Wen Rang Chen Yuqian and Wu Juyue Empress are both restrained. He obeys others. He really is a loyal person." Someone next to him said: "Maybe, he has some unavoidable difficulties?"

As these people talked, they gradually moved away from the topic and stopped mentioning Zhao Xingde.

Zhao Huan stood up somewhat disappointed, Zhou He and others knew that her interest was over, so they stood up accordingly.After arriving in Ezhou, Li Ruoxu had no reason to stay with Zhao Huan anymore, and found a position in the Prime Minister's Mansion as the No. [-] Scholar and editor of the Imperial Academy.But in his spare time, he still often visits Zhao Huan.For unknown reasons, Zhou He and the others let it go, they just told Li Ruoxu many times that they must not leak the news of the princess' presence to others.Of course Li Ruxu agreed.

After returning to the residence, Zhou He sent Zhao Huan to the inner courtyard first, and then went to read the secret report.The Jinyan Mansion of the Imperial City Department originated from the end of the Five Dynasties, and it had its own unique way of survival. Therefore, after the fall of Bianliang and the captivity of the officials, the branches of the Jinyan Mansion in various places were not completely paralyzed.Some went dormant because they lost their command, and some cooperated with local powerful figures.Although Chen Dong advocated respecting the emperor and not obeying "chaotic" orders in Ezhou, he did not intend to recruit people from Jinyan Mansion.After Zhou He and others arrived in Ezhou, they established a relationship with the secret agents of the Jinyan Mansion, revealed their identities in the mansion, and after using subtle means, these secret agents became attached to him.Relying on the original arrangement of Jinyan Mansion in Ezhou, Zhou He and others' eyes, ears and eyes are also very sharp.

"Your Highness," Zhou He knocked on the door respectfully and entered, and reported, "King Jing's secret letter." The distinction between monarch and minister is extremely important.Before Zhao Huan made a clear signal, everyone in the Imperial City Department only called Zhao Qi King Jing.Now almost all the imperial clan of the Great Song Dynasty was held in Khitan's hands. Although Zhao Huan was only a woman, her status between Zhao Qi and Zhao Ke suddenly became more important, but she herself didn't seem to be aware of this at all.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhou." Zhao Huan took the secret letter and opened it to see, his eyes shimmered with joy.In her mind, this third brother is already the closest family member. However, after seeing him for a short time, her gaze fluctuated slightly.Zhao Qi asked her to leave Ezhou with her guards as soon as possible. In addition, Zhao Qi vaguely mentioned that Liu Guangshi, the second son of Liu Yanqing, was deployed in the southeast camp.

Although Zhao Qi didn't say it clearly, Zhao Huan also guessed what the third brother meant. "Who is Liu Guangshi? In the eyes of the third brother, is the southeast camp so important?" She was a little sad, her eyebrows frowned slightly, and she handed the letter to Zhou He.This secret letter was handed over from Zhou He every time. Zhao Huan believed that he hadn't read it first, but after she read it herself, she always let Zhou He read it.

Zhou He bowed and took the secret letter with both hands, glanced his eyes, and lost his voice: "The big thing is not good, I'm afraid Xiangyang is going to use troops against Ezhou!" The Secretary of the Imperial City is on duty, and he is best at pondering the hidden meaning between the lines.He read the secret letter from the beginning to the end again, affirmed the previous judgment, raised his head and said: "I think that the soldiers from Xiangyang will go south soon, and it is not suitable to stay in Ezhou for a long time. I should try my best to escort His Highness out of danger!"

"Dangerous situation?" Zhao Huan was awakened by him, "Isn't brother afraid of benefiting the Liao fisherman?"

"Perhaps," Zhou He murmured, "Perhaps, King Jing has already negotiated peace with the Liao Kingdom, or he saw the emptiness of Ezhou, so he can attack south with Xiangyang soldiers, and then go down the river to collect the southeast land." Half of the country." He sorted out the recent military situation in his mind, and said, "I think that Xiangyang may be waiting to see the success or failure of the battle of Shuzhou. If Shuzhou is defeated, Ezhou will be in danger. If Xiangyang coerces a little, maybe there is no need to use troops. Chen Dong may submit. If Shuzhou wins, Xiangyang will take advantage of Zhao Xingde and Yue Fei's return to attack Ezhou immediately. Without the Prime Minister's Mansion in Ezhou, Zhao Xingde, Yue Fei and others will also lose their support. In the end, they will either use troops to attack It’s much easier to surrender, or to surrender.” He shook his head and sighed, “Some time ago, Xiangyang has been doing nothing, and I must have been waiting for this opportunity. However, the mantis is catching the cicada, and the oriole is behind. The army of the Liao Kingdom is suppressing the border, and if you do this in the southeast camp, it will be easy for the Liao people to take advantage of it."

After his explanation, Zhao Huan also understood. She hesitated for a moment, bit her lips lightly with her white teeth, and said to Zhou He: "Master Zhou, when this great enemy is at hand, can you stop having sex with me? I want to revise the book." A letter of advice to brother..."

Zhou He shook his head and said, "Looking at the tone in King Jing's letter, the arrow is already on the string, so I have to send it."

"My heart is a little 'chaotic'..." Zhao Huan thought for a while, lowered his head, and after a while, raised his head and looked at Zhou Hedao, "I am worried that the Xiangyang army will attack Ezhou. After the news reaches Shuzhou, the three armies will The morale of the army has collapsed. At that time, I'm afraid it will be too late to regret. Shuzhou must make preparations early. Mr. Zhou is an official of the court, and he should put righteousness first. Can you pass the news to Mr. Zhao Xingde?" She looked at Zhou He in surprise With a look in his eyes, he repeated, "I can only tell Mr. Zhao."