Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

Nie Shan, the prefect of Kaifeng, was qualified to attend this party because he needed to help defend the city and was considered a high-level official.

It was really just a gathering, not a formal negotiation, just the first contact to test each other out.

As a result, Zhao Huan couldn't hold his breath, and as soon as the test began, he exposed himself. He even revealed his true identity without consulting the ministers. Geng Nanzhong only asked the emperor to use the emperor's concubine to get close to him, but the emperor acted on the spot and decided to make him the King of Han!

Nie Shan was dumbfounded. Do all the kings and ministers in the court do things like this?

He had been a local official for a long time and had only been transferred to the capital for a short time. He was unable to understand the behavior patterns of this group of people.

Deputy Prime Minister Zhao Ye looked at Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan with suspicious eyes. He always felt that something was wrong, as if there was something he didn't know.

Zhang Bangchang, who was also the deputy prime minister, secretly pondered the situation at hand, and then said harshly: "Zhu Jinglue and Marshal Zhu have long been popular in the world. Your Majesty also praised the world when he was hiding in his residence. With wise kings and wise kings ruling the world, we will surely recreate the prosperous age of China!" "

As soon as these words came out, Zhao Huan, Bai Shizhong, and Li Bangyan all felt as sick as if they had eaten flies.

Zhang Bangchang first voted for Cai Jing, then for Wang Fu, then for Cai Jing, and then for Cai You. Although he did not do much evil, he swayed so fast that even the traitorous officials in the court disliked him.

If Zhao Huan frees his hands, the first person to be killed is Tong Guan, and the second person to be killed is Zhang Bangchang.

"Ahem!"

Li Gang coughed a few times and looked at Geng Nanzhong, who had been silent.

Geng Nanzhong is an old minister of the East Palace. He now speaks with the most weight, and his power actually exceeds that of several prime ministers.

It is a pity that Geng Nanzhong, like Zhao Huan, was suppressed by Song Huizong for nearly ten years, and his boss (the prince's family order) was also killed by Song Huizong. He has developed a cowardly, suspicious and evasive character.

At this time, Zhao Huan acted too arrogantly, so it was Geng Nanzhong's turn to clean up the situation, but Geng Nanzhong was afraid of saying the wrong thing and taking the blame!

After being reminded by Li Gang's repeated coughing, Geng Nanzhong seemed to have woken up from a dream. He raised his glass and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, please drink. We will discuss the business another day."

"Yes, today is for your honorable envoy to cleanse himself from the dust." Wu Min quickly changed the topic and even used the honorific, "There is plenty of time to talk about military and national affairs. I would like to toast your envoy a glass first and wish you the best. Marshal Langjun is well!"

Shi Yuangong held the cup and said, "On behalf of my husband and husband, I would like to thank you for your kindness."

Sure enough, they stopped talking about business. After a banquet, Shi Yuangong was taken to rest.

The ministers dispersed one after another, leaving only Zhao Huan and Geng Nanzhong.

Geng Nanzhong, who had previously been submissive and silent, now came to complain to the emperor: "Your Majesty should not say that the matter of conferring the king would damage the majesty of the king and expose our details too early."

Zhao Huan calmed down now, regretted and blamed himself: "I was confused just now, and I said nonsense for some reason."

Geng Nanzhong comforted: "Fortunately, the matter has not been finalized, and some remedies can be made. Moreover, the envoy sent by Ju Ming is quite reasonable and not as rude as the envoy from the Kingdom of Jin."

Zhao Huan nodded and said: "Yes, this Mr. Shi is really good. Although he did not kneel down when he saw me, he bowed his head and bowed respectfully and greeted me respectfully. The envoy from the Kingdom of Jin was arrogant. Not to mention saluting, he did not even say hello. explain."

"After all, I am a scholar of the Song Dynasty," Geng Nanzhong said. "I heard that Mr. Shi was an entourage taken by Ju Ming when he was the prefect of Puzhou. He also passed the imperial examination of the Song Dynasty in his early years. To Ju Ming, Mr. Shi is Old Yuan Cong is like a minister serving His Majesty in his hidden residence. Such a Yuan Cong can only serve as an envoy now, and Zhu Guoxiang seems to put more emphasis on Zhang Gen and others. Has Your Majesty ever thought that the Zhu family and his son also have quarrels."

"What's the rift between his father and his son?" Zhao Huan asked.

Geng Nanzhong analyzed: "Ju Ming led the troops to conquer the Sichuan Gorge, but it was Zhu Guoxiang who governed it. Zhu Guoxiang could appoint officials and control the tax money, but Ju Ming could only lead troops to fight. To put it bluntly, it is not like that. Like Li Yuan and Li Shimin?"

Zhao Huan nodded subconsciously: "That makes sense."

Geng Nanzhong continued: "And does Shi Yuangong look like the counselors of Tiance Mansion?"

"Of course!" Zhao Huan clapped his hands and was delighted.

Geng Nanzhong said: "I'm afraid Shi Yuangong will not accept the generous salary given to a high-ranking official openly. But we can contact him privately, promise gold and silver, and then say some alienating words in a subtle way."

"How to separate?" Zhao Huan asked.

Geng Nanzhong said: "You can talk to Shi Yuangong about the old affairs of Tiance Mansion. If you forcefully attack Tokyo and suddenly establish a new dynasty, I am afraid that all the birds will be lost! Only by keeping Tokyo and not attacking can Ju Ming and Shi Yuangong be safe."

Zhao Huan felt that this plan was very clever, held Geng Nazhong's hand and said, "I will leave the matter of estrangement to Aiqing."

"I will go all out!" Geng Nanzhong bowed and accepted the order.

Geng Nanzhong would never dare to negotiate with the Jin people. He could only have a few words with the Jin envoys.

But the Zhu family and his son are different. They all used to be officials in Tokyo and can be regarded as former colleagues.

What’s so scary about dealing with old colleagues?

What's more, the Zhu family and his son have an excellent reputation and never go back on their words.

During the peace talks with the imperial court, he had always followed the rules. He would withdraw his troops when he was told to do so, and never sent troops to harass the "border". He was also willing to accept refugees in the Song Dynasty.

If the Jin people hadn't suddenly come to kill them, the Zhu family and his son were afraid that Tokyo would be taken over by barbarians, and they would probably still be hiding in the south to manage the refugees.

What a reasonable rebel, you can be called a gentleman among the rebels!

Not to mention having private contact with Ju Ming's envoy, he even dared to ask Geng Nanzhong to send an envoy to Hanzhong.

Geng Nanzhong planned to give five thousand taels of silver to Shi Yuangong, but found that the treasury was already empty, and the money was either taken away by Song Huizong or used by Li Gang to recruit troops to defend the city.

In desperation, Geng Nanzhong could only search the people in the city and ordered the wealthy businessmen to allocate some money.

Not long after Geng Nanzhong left, the eunuch of Zhao Huan's dormitory sent another memorial: "Your Majesty, this is submitted by Prime Minister Wu on your behalf."

Zhao Huan opened it and saw that it was played by Qin Hui.

Qin Hui is in a bad situation now. Because the political situation is too volatile, he married the granddaughter of the former prime minister and did not gain any benefits in his career. His current official position is to serve as the censor in the seventh-grade palace.

When the country is in crisis, it is a good time for him to perform!

Qin Hui said in his memorial that the current situation is extremely complicated and the court must not negotiate prematurely and must defend the city and wait for King Qin's army.

At that time, the three armies of the Song Dynasty, the Jin Kingdom, and the Zhu Zei were mixed together in Kaifeng Mansion without distinguishing between ourselves and the enemy. He could take advantage of the situation and negotiate with the two parties separately to encourage the Zhu thieves and the Jin soldiers to fight. Perhaps the Song Dynasty could fight with the snipe and the clam and benefit the fisherman.

Even if one of the parties wins a big victory and the officers and soldiers are unable to defeat them, then the talks can still be targeted.

"This is really a mature way to plan for the country!"

Zhao Huanshen thought so and ordered: "Call Wu Min."

Wu Min stood guard outside and quickly entered according to the order: "Meet His Majesty!"

"Without courtesy, my dear, come and sit down quickly." Zhao Huan said in a friendly tone.

Wu Min sat down and waited for the right question.

Zhao Huan asked: "Who is this Qin Hui?"

Wu Min said: "The grandson-in-law of former Prime Minister Wang Gui once passed the Maoke (macro-ci) examination. At that time, Maoke was the only one who admitted him."

"Only in Maoke? He is really a great talent!" Zhao Huan admired Qin Hui more and more.

At this time, the eunuch reported to Li Gang asking for an audience.

Zhao Huan called Li Gang in and handed over Qin Hui's memorial.

Li Gang read it carefully and expressed his thoughts: "These are just expedient measures. The golden people are like wolves and the red thieves are like tigers. Now there are wolves in front of us and tigers in the back. How can it be so easy to drive away the wolves and devour the tigers? There are two groups of Jin soldiers." Going south, on the north side of the Yellow River are only the East Route Army, and the West Route Army is attacking Taiyuan. The bandit soldiers who looted Tiansi Prison are just the vanguard of the Zhu bandits. I am afraid that the bandit soldiers will enter Shaanxi from Hanzhong. King Qin's army from all walks of life, The Western Army is the strongest, and if it is pinned down in Shaanxi by the Hanzhong bandits, it may be difficult to reach the capital."

"Yes, there are many soldiers from the Kingdom of Jin and the Red Thieves who have not yet arrived." Zhao Huan was happy just now, but now he is feeling depressed again.

Li Gang said: "Qin Hui's strategy can be used, but it can only relieve symptoms and cannot really cure serious diseases. The top priority is the lack of money and food. We must order all the governors to send money and food quickly. Only with money and food can we recruit troops to defend Tokyo. King Qin's army also We must urge them to come quickly. With the army, the imperial court can be tough in negotiations!"

"What Aiqing said is absolutely true." Zhao Huan nodded repeatedly.

The young emperor was indeed open-minded and accepted advice, but he had too little experience. He thinks everyone's suggestions are correct, and he has no opinion of his own at all.

Li Gang added: "We still need to find out the details of the Jin people and the Zhu thieves. If their demands are too excessive, we can use the Hanzhong envoys to intimidate the Jin envoys, and then use the Jin envoys to intimidate the Hanzhong envoys. Also, these two envoys cannot be allowed to , meet privately and alone!”

"That's how it should be!" Zhao Huan agreed.

Li Gang reminded: "Your Majesty, please don't say anything about being crowned king again in the future."

Zhao Huan looked embarrassed for a moment: "I made a mistake."

Not long after Li Gang and Wu Min left the palace, Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan came to see them again.

Li Bangyan threatened when he opened his mouth: "Your Majesty, do you know how many soldiers there are in Sichuan Gorge and Jingxiang?"

Zhao Huan asked: "How much?"

Li Bangyan said: "Two hundred thousand soldiers!"

Zhao Huan took a breath of cold air: "How can there be such a lot? Zhu Thief... Can the Zhu family afford to raise him?"

Bai Shizhong said: "We can afford it. The imperial court cannot raise troops because treacherous ministers such as Cai Jing, Wang Fu, and Cai You have embezzled the country's wealth. The emperor has also carried out large-scale construction projects to deplete the people's resources. Military generals from all over the country have also deducted money and food from the army. All of this has led to the country's There are no enough soldiers, but the soldiers have no fighting spirit.”

Li Bangyan added: "After my previous peace talks with the Zhu bandits, I sent people to secretly explore the details of the Sichuan Gorge. There were 60,000 bandits in Hanzhong, 30,000 in Shu, 50,000 in eastern Sichuan, Xiangyang and Nanyang. Each has 60,000 thieves, with a total strength of more than 200,000. And all of them are armored soldiers. Except for the Zhu thieves' own-made armor, the rest were captured from the Western Army!"

Bai Shizhong said: "More than 200,000 thieves and soldiers have come out. Not to mention King Qin's army cannot resist it, even the Jin people may have a hard time defeating them."

"The Zhu family...the Zhu thieves actually have such strength!" Zhao Huan was so frightened that his body trembled slightly.

Li Bangyan continued: "The Bell Thieves in Jinghu also have 300,000 demon soldiers. Although the Bell Thieves are many in number, they are no match for the Red Thieves, all of whom are wearing armor. Last year, the Red Thieves and the Bell Thieves fought in Jiangling. The Bell Thieves raised their troops. One hundred thousand troops, but the Zhu Thieves only sent 30,000 troops. Does your Majesty know why?"

"Why?" Zhao Huan asked.

Li Bangyan said: "The red thieves didn't take the bell thieves seriously at all. Thirty thousand elites fought against a hundred thousand demon soldiers, and they actually won in one battle without much damage to themselves. The bell thieves killed the Jinghu Road officers and soldiers so hard that they could not resist. He occupied the entire Jinghu Road, but when he encountered the red thieves, he was frightened to death and ceded Jiangling and other eight cities to the red thieves!"

Zhao Huan began to make logical calculations in his mind. The officers and soldiers could not defeat the bell thief, and the bell thief could not defeat the red thief. Then wouldn't it be difficult for the red thief to defeat him?

Li Bangyan said: "When the Zhu Thief sent an envoy, he must want His Majesty to abdicate. Unlike other rebels, his father and son were educated in sages and respected etiquette in everything they did. Therefore, even if the Zhu Thief captured Tokyo, We will not kill them all, but force His Majesty to abdicate!"

"Just be polite." Zhao Huan breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that no matter how bad things were, he could at least survive.

Bai Shizhong said: "It is naturally the best to be able to defend Tokyo. But how can Zhu Thief give up? We have defended it this year, but what will happen next year?"

"Is it okay to be crowned king?" Zhao Huan shook his head, "Looking at the envoy named Shi, I'm afraid he won't agree to be crowned king."

Li Bangyan said: "That's because Your Majesty didn't give them enough benefits. Your Majesty gave them the title of king, but the Zhu family could actually establish themselves as kings, and even established the country as emperors. Your Majesty gave them Jingnan Road and Jinghu Road, but Jingxi Southwest Road is already occupied by the Zhu family, and Jinghu Road is the territory of the bell thief. It means that no benefits have been given!"

Zhao Huan muttered, "That's true." Then he asked, "What other benefits can I give?"

Bai Shizhong said: "It is better to use Tongguan as the boundary. The west of Tongguan will be rewarded to the Zhu family, and the east of Tongguan will belong to the Song Dynasty. From then on, the two families will have peace from generation to generation, and they will join hands with the Qin and Jin Dynasties."

No matter how stupid Zhao Huan was, he still felt something was wrong: "Didn't they cut off all of Shaanxi?"

Li Bangyan said: "I am afraid that all areas south of Tokyo City will be occupied by the Red Thieves at this time, and North Jing Road and Kaifeng Mansion have long been out of the hands of the imperial court. If the two families are repaired, the Red Thieves must return the land of North Jing Road and Kaifeng Mansion. "

From another perspective, Zhao Huan felt that it was okay. After all, there was going back and forth, and it was not just about cutting off territory.

"Let me think about it again." Zhao Huan was not confused yet. He planned to discuss such a big matter with Geng Nanzhong first.

(Some book friends questioned Kaifeng Prefecture Yin. This official position is relatively complicated. No one has held it since Zhenzong of Song Dynasty. However, Huizong of Song Dynasty restored it in the third year of Chongning. Even a non-prince can hold this position.)