Prince of Song Dynasty

Chapter 928 Han Xizai's Fear
Then Hou Wengang clasped his fists and said: "When leaving the palace, Your Majesty told our family to go early and return early. On the way here, it rained heavily in Jingzhao Mansion and delayed for two days. In addition, if you go back late, Your Majesty will not like it. Not to mention the credit for the errands, I am afraid that even the hard work will be lost. Therefore, the general of the party is not polite, it is a matter of military affairs. Our family will not stay in Dakouzhai, and we will return to Jingzhao Mansion today, just to invite Dangjin will give you a few words, and it will be easy to do business when you go back to our house."

"Wouldn't this make the lower officials feel too bad..."

But Hou Wengang didn't wait for him to finish speaking, and immediately said: "It's not that our family is being polite, but it is actually raining a lot on this road, and it will inevitably delay time to return to the capital, so we can only go back earlier."

Dang Jin knew about this eunuch when he was in Kaifeng, and knew that he was a timid one.In his mind, the eunuch's rush to deliver the imperial approval probably saw this rare opportunity and wanted to show off.One must know that if he worked so hard to come here from Kaifeng, it would be considered a meritorious service for him to do well the errands assigned by His Majesty in the future.But even though Hou Wengang arrived at Dakouzhai, most of his heart still thinks that Dakouzhai is the front line, and a war might start at any time. This is the case of the so-called "a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall". Naturally, Hou Wengang should stay as far away from danger as possible.

Dang Jin was self-righteous and figured out what was going on, so he didn't want to keep him anymore. He clasped his fists and said, "In this case, the lower officials don't dare to be ashamed. If they have a chance to return to Kaifeng in the future, they will make amends to the envoy Hou." The captain ordered him to order a hundred cavalry to escort Hou Wengang, and secretly asked his confidants to return to his temporary commander's mansion in Dakouzhai, took 500 taels of silver, and gave it to Hou Wengang.

It wasn't until he watched Hou Wengang go away that Dang Jin turned around, his expression excited, and ordered: "Pass down the commander's military order, and summon the commander of the army to send the above generals to the White Tiger Festival Hall for military discussions."

.........

.........

Hou Wen had just finished the important task that the Prime Minister had given him, and secretly heaved a sigh of relief. It was already dark when he returned to the Gyeongju Post House without showing any signs of expression.After the hundred cavalry sent by Dangjin left, Hou Wengang secretly met a mysterious guest, and then disappeared overnight in a carriage.One month later, a white-faced and beardless rich man lived in a simple place in a certain county in Suzhou, Jiangnan.

Back to seven days ago, in the Kaifeng Palace, someone reported to Zhao Dezhao that Hou Wengang was ill. Zhao Dezhao just ordered Hou Wengang to be treated properly, and ignored the matter. Then, three days later, someone reported to Zhao Dezhao that Hou Wengang's disease had deteriorated and died. up.Zhao Dezhao just frowned slightly, arranged for someone to take Hou Wengang's place, and then completely put the matter behind him.

Besides, Dang Jin did not doubt the authenticity of the decree at all.The only thing that worries him is that His Majesty's decree has not been approved by the two governments, especially the Privy Council. It is the central decree.

In the system of the Song Dynasty, all edicts that did not go through the Academy of Sciences, the two governments, and the provincial government were illegal.In theory, any official can seal and return the imperial edict and refuse to execute it.However, there is still a big bad government that can break through this system, that is, "inner surrender command", also known as Zhongzhi, that is, "shouzhao" and "imperial criticism", which is similar to the so-called "inner command" in the Tang Dynasty. "Ink rescue oblique seal".The difference is that the Tang Dynasty's "Mojiu Xiefeng" was just that the emperor appointed officials without going through the provinces, while the Song Dynasty's "inner command" did everything beforehand.

However, when Dang Jin thought of the current situation in the court, he sighed, and he could understand why His Majesty would use this kind of maladministration. Obviously, the current emperor is afraid of the prime minister's rejection, so he criticizes the imperial edict indiscriminately. In Dang Jin's view, this is also His Majesty's last resort.

Although Dang Jin is a general, he does not lack political awareness. He also understands in his heart that it is impossible to completely eliminate this kind of maladministration from the system in the imperial court where the emperor is supreme.No matter how perfect the system is, it will still be broken.The effectiveness of such things as internal command depends more on political traditions, the game between foreign and Chinese Koreas, and the consciousness of the entire civilian class.

Under normal circumstances, all internal surrender commands are all limited to trivial matters in the etiquette system, but when it comes to the appointment and dismissal of officials and military affairs, there is never a single thing that does not go through the two governments.But today's "internal surrender command" is directly interfering in military affairs.

The emperor's edict is for Dangjin to provoke Xiangfu country's borders according to the situation and put pressure on Xiangfu country.How can Dang Jin not know the current situation in Xiangfu's country? In fact, in his opinion, even if Xiangfu country is already at war on two sides, it is the most correct way to send troops to let Xiangfu country go to war on three sides.

Because, in his mind, as long as Song Dynasty sends troops to Xiangfu Kingdom, Liao Kingdom will never miss this opportunity.It’s just that Dangjin also knows that Song and Liao suffered disastrous defeats in the two wars last year, which made the courts of the two countries take care of their wife too much. To put it bluntly, they were already afraid. If you lose another battle, the consequences will be disastrous.

In addition, Dang Jin knew that civil servants could refuse to accept the emperor's edict unceremoniously, but they didn't need to worry too much, but military commanders couldn't do this, and they didn't dare to do so.Because military officers hold military power, they are far more sensitive than civilian officials.

The emperor would not care too much about a civil servant who refused his edict, because it would not do much harm. In fact, any emperor with a little knowledge would understand that it was good for his rule, and the cost of settlement after autumn was too high.However, for the commander who dared to refuse to obey his orders, in the heart of the emperor, he was no different from a rebellious minister.

The generals would rather obey the emperor's command and lose the battle than refuse to execute the emperor's edict.This point has been made since ancient times.There were already many precedents in the Han and Tang Dynasties.

Dang Jin carefully read the meaning of the imperial approval, and after discussing with the generals, he became aware of it, and after further refinement, he made arrangements.

The temperature difference between day and night in Northwest summer is relatively large, so Xiajing in July is actually not muggy at all.But Han Xizai couldn't sleep well these days.Naturally, His Majesty was seriously injured and he was worried about state affairs.But it also has a lot to do with the young man who suddenly appeared in his bedroom in the middle of the night.

Han Xizai was awakened by a nightmare. When he woke up, he found that the young and beautiful concubine next to him was sleeping deeply, like a dead person.Then the moment he raised his head, his pupils shrank. A young man was sitting on a chair beside him at some point, and a little wolf was crawling under his feet. By candlelight, Han Xizai could clearly see that it was a little silver wolf.At this time, the little silver wolf was staring at him motionlessly, as if a demon was staring at his sacrifice, thinking about where to bite.

Ever since he learned about the serious injury of His Majesty in the palace, Han Xizai felt that this incident might have something to do with Meng Feiyang, so he has been feeling uneasy for the past few days.Now it seems that his feeling is right.Han Xizai was instantly furious, but at the same time panicked.

"Han Xianggong is safe and sound." Meng Feiyang said lightly.

After all, Han Xizai is not an ordinary person. He suppressed the anger and panic in his heart. After taking a deep breath, he regained his composure. Naturally, he would not shout "Come on" or something like that, and said, "Meng Feiyang, you are so brave. Stab Your Majesty."

Meng Feiyang smiled slightly and said: "Actually, the target of this junior is not Ye Chen, but your queen. It's just that with Ye Chen around, it's hard for this junior to win, so I have to find a way to kill him first. Ye Chen is really like the younger generation." As expected, even though you have become the emperor, you are still a loving kindness. In order to save your queen, you don't care about your own life or death. Unfortunately, your majesty the emperor is more powerful than the younger generation expected, so your success fell short. Really pity."

Han Xizai snorted coldly, and said, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, how could you easily get it. Meng Feiyang! What do you want to do when you come to see me today?"

Meng Feiyang said: "Hu Sanguang led people to investigate closely, you find an excuse to send the younger generation away from Xia Jing these few days."

Han Xizai said with a gloomy face, "I see, let's go!"

Meng Feiyang said: "Mr. Han, don't worry, the junior still has something to trouble Mr. Han."

When Han Xizai thought that the little silver wolf who seriously injured His Majesty was in his bedroom, he panicked and said patiently, "What's the matter? Tell me quickly."

Meng Feiyang said: "On the day this junior leaves the city for business, you must find a way to send this little silver wolf out of the city."

Han Xizai stood up from the bed all the time, and said, "It's impossible. No one can escape the eyes of the Ministry of Security and send this wolf out of the city."

Meng Feiyang said lightly: "You don't have to send the little silver wolf out of the city, but let him be raised in the husband's house."

Han Xizai said angrily, "Why don't you kill him and destroy his body?"

Meng Feiyang said inexplicably: "Because he is no longer an ordinary wolf. Well, let's not talk about it, I will leave the little wolf to you. There are two choices, you can choose one!"

As soon as the voice fell, Meng Feiyang stood up suddenly, and he didn't see how he moved. His body suddenly floated up and flew out of the window: "Don't worry, it will be very good."

Han Xizai looked at the little silver wolf who was looking at him quietly all the time, his expression was already extremely ugly.

Including most of the Hexi Corridor that was just laid down, the area ruled by Xiangfu Kingdom can be roughly divided into the Hexi Corridor and the Hetao Plain of the Yellow River.The territory is surrounded by mountains, with Yinshan Mountain and Langshan Mountain in the north, Helan Mountain in the northwest, Qilian Mountain in the southwest, and Liupan Mountain in the southeast. The Yellow River flows from southwest to northeast, straight to the Yellow River.Xia Jing is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and the situation is strong.The area around Yinzhou and Lingzhou has well-developed water conservancy, and the six counties of Hetao and Dangxiang Prefecture are now well-developed in agriculture, which is already known as the top of the south of the Yangtze River.The Qilian Mountains are natural pastures, and the areas of Ganzhou and Liangzhou are also blessed with water resources. It is conceivable that Jingxiangfu Kingdom will develop water conservancy, build canals and wind-powered waterwheels, and use the rivers for irrigation. With two granaries and good horses, the improvement of Yu Xiangfu's national strength is not as simple as doubling and doubling.Zhao Pu and Cao Bin saw this, so they did everything possible to provoke and support the Tubo people to attack Lanzhou.Even Cao Wei personally came to the Tubo army to act as a military adviser for this matter.

(End of this chapter)