Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

Ju Ming had no choice but to appoint these officials as county magistrates, because there was too much territory for this expansion.

The team in Sichuan were promoted from one to three levels as a whole and were mainly sent to Shaanxi, Huainan and western Beijing. A large number of preparatory cadres and officials became county magistrates or chief registrars, and the original assistant officials became county magistrates one after another.

As for Ju Ming's old friends, the lowest ranking one is also Zhizhou.

As for the students who followed Ju Ming, at least they started as county magistrates, and some of them had become state governors. Chen Dong was even in charge of the Supervisory Office.

At this moment, Zhu Guoxiang was rushing to Kaifeng with his subordinate officials.

Zhongshi led more than 10,000 Western troops and went to Tongguan to spread the news and persuade Zhongshi to submit to the Zhu family and hand over the front lines of Xianyang, Chang'an and Tongguan.

Zhong Shidao came to Tongguan in person. The identities of the two brothers were very strange.

"Brother, give up, the Song Dynasty is hopeless." Zhong Shizhong stood at the foot of the pass and shouted.

Master Zhong said, "Come up and speak."

A basket fell down and pulled Master Zhong up.

Taneshidao asked: "How did Tokyo fall?"

Zhong Shizhong said: "If you don't attack, you will be destroyed. There is a shortage of food in the city, and the officials are still exploiting and extorting money. The soldiers and civilians secretly joined forces to donate the city. The emperor fled alone again and was caught outside the city. The city was in chaos. Marshal Zhu still led Soldiers entered the city to quell the chaos.”

"Tokyo was lost without even firing an arrow?" Zhongshidao asked in surprise.

"But not a single arrow was fired." Master Zhong said bitterly.

Master Zhongdao said helplessly: "That's all, God's will is like this, and no human effort can save it."

Zhong Shizhong said: "Your grandson (Zhong Yanchong) has been appointed as the general of the Huaihe River. The Zhong family army in Shaanxi must be reduced to only nine thousand. I have three thousand troops in my hand, brother. I have 6,000 soldiers in hand. The retired soldiers will each receive three guans and their families will be exempted from taxes on five acres for five years."

"I understand and will hand over military power." Zhong Shidao immediately knew what Ju Ming meant.

Since the Zhong family is obedient, there is nothing to worry about.

Ju Ming directly took away the military power of Zhongshi Dao and Zhongshi, and asked them to become civil servants. The Zhongjia Army was renamed the Zhongshun Army and was reduced to only 9,000 men. They were handed over to the commander of Zhongxi and placed under Yang Zhi's command.

In this way, Guanzhong's surname was completely Zhu, and both the government and the army were incorporated.

The real headaches are Liu Yanqing and Zhe Keqiu, one in northern Shaanxi and the other in northern Shanxi. They may be able to send a message, but they are definitely unwilling to hand over their territory and troops. If they are forced to do so, they may directly defect to Xixia and Jin.

Zhong Shizhong also said: "Brothers Liu Xi and Liu Qi can also reserve three thousand troops and go to fight Xixia immediately. Marshal Zhu said that this time against Xixia, the elder brother can join the army."

That is to say, Zhong Shidao was not allowed to lead the troops. He was temporarily left to Yang Zhi as chief of staff, and he would come back as a civilian official after the war.

With such strict precautions, Zhong Shidao actually didn't resist at all. He nodded and said: "It's better not to lead troops, it will save you a lot of trouble."

The brothers surrendered Tongguan, and Han Shizhong sent troops to take over.

Then he offered Chang'an and Xianyang, and Yang Zhi sent troops to take them over.

The two brothers Liu Xi and Liu Qi helped defend the city in Chang'an, but they were too weak to resist and were forced to surrender to the Zhu family.

Over in Taiyuan, Yin Shuke was still besieging the city, and Zhang Xiaochun kept sending people for help.

After Zhang Guangdao stabilized the capital, he led 20,000 people to the north.

And it was bypassed from Tongguan, because the Jin soldiers firmly occupied Zhending and blocked Jingxing with Chengtianzhai (Niangziguan). If Zhang Guangdao takes the Hebei route, the rescue battle will definitely turn into a siege battle.

Yang Zhi took the Hanzhong troops and the Shaanxi soldiers to fight with Xixia to promote peace.

Of the three generals who commanded the army, only Li Bao was left idle.

"Why, you feel unhappy?" Zhu Ming asked with a smile.

Li Baoyan said insincerely: "No, it's better to stay in Bianliang. It's very rich and prosperous here."

Ju Ming said: "In the important area of ​​Gyeonggi, I don't trust others to lead the army, so I keep you by my side."

Li Bao didn't believe this kind of nonsense. He knew that he was being beaten.

Zhu Ming added: "Next year we will conquer the southeast, and I will go and capture Zhao Ji."

Li Bao suddenly became energetic, patted his chest and said: "I promise to capture him with my hands, and I won't let that faint king run away!"

Ju Ming said: "The navy is extremely important in conquering the southeast. You go south immediately to train the navy."

"Yes!" Li Bao stood up and accepted the order.

"Sit down," Ju Ming warned. "Don't relax the discipline in the army. Most of the soldiers under your command are bandits, salt lords, and water thieves. Although they are much more obedient than before, they are still not enough when compared with friendly forces. If it doesn’t work, deal with them severely!”

Li Bao couldn't help but argue: "They did not harass the people, and the military discipline is excellent."

Zhu Ming was a little helpless. Li Bao was a man of loyalty and called himself brothers to his generals. He couldn't bear to be criticized for many small things, so he thought it was enough as long as he didn't harass the people.

Prohibitions on drinking and gambling are common among Li Baojun, and he often turns a blind eye.

Moreover, Li Bao only said that he would not harass the common people, but did not say that he was not allowed to harass officials. This led to the generals under his command often bossing local officials around and yelling at the county magistrate. Some even tried to beat the county magistrate in public (but were stopped by his subordinates).

Han Shizhong's troops also had this sign, but most of Han Shizhong's troops were from refugees and were not as arrogant and willful as the group of thieves under Li Bao's troops.

Ju Ming suggested: "If you can't save face, why not come up with a bitter trick?"

"What kind of torture plan?" Li Bao asked curiously.

Ju Ming said: "I suddenly went to your army, caught someone gambling, and then beat you with a military stick in public."

Li Bao smacked his lips and actually nodded and said, "That's okay. After I'm beaten, I'll take the opportunity to strictly control the army. Those birdmen have nothing to say. I've already been beaten, how many times can they not take a few hits on their butts?"

The two hammered out the details and got things done.

Zhu Ming chose a day to make a surprise inspection of the military camp and accurately caught a few sergeants gambling. Then he arrested Li Bao and beat him with a military stick in public on the grounds that he was lax in running the army.

When Ju Ming left, Li Bao cursed and beat all his subordinates.

The generals also cursed and went back to deal with their own soldiers.

The only thing that surprised Li Bao was that his military judge was replaced by Ju Ming. The newly appointed military judge is unkind and puts on a bad face all day long, as if everyone he sees owes him hundreds of dollars.

Li Bao felt like he was being tricked...

Before Zhang Guangdao arrived in Taiyuan, Zhu Guoxiang had already arrived in Kaifeng, and at the same time a large amount of Sichuan grain arrived.

Prefectures and counties in Sichuan have issued another batch of food bonds, and the interest rates are much higher than before!

The wealthy households in Sichuan who were forced to accept the bonds not only did not complain, but were more compliant than before. Because Ju Ming occupied Kaifeng and captured the Emperor of Song, they were convinced that the Zhu family and his son were about to change the dynasty.

Last year, corn and sweet potatoes were promoted throughout Sichuan. This year’s corn harvest was bumper. Half of the grain shipped to Tokyo now is newly harvested corn.

The purchase restriction policy will continue to be implemented, and Kaifeng’s food control will not be relaxed until after next summer’s harvest.

All restaurants in Tokyo have switched to selling tea, because Ju Ming does not issue a brewing license, and even if it does, there will not be enough food.

"Finally back." Gao Jingshan stood on the bow of the ship, looking at the Tokyo city wall in the distance.

Zhang Gen asked: "How many years have you been back to Beijing?"

Gao Jingshan thought for a moment and said, "About six or seven years. The last time I returned to Beijing, I resigned as Lizhou Road Transportation Judge and gave some money to Cai Jing's party members."

Zhang Gen said with a smile: "I never give money to traitors."

"Your Excellency, you can stand and talk without pain," Gao Jingshan joked, "The Zhang family has many marriages, and there is no shortage of people in the court to talk to. But I am just a small family in Shandong, how can I dare to offend Cai Jing's people?"

Both of them were in a good mood. If Zhu Guoxiang became emperor, they would definitely be the prime ministers.

It is already winter, and the rivers near Kaifeng are about to freeze.

As the city wall got closer and closer, Gao Jingshan asked in a low voice: "Are you still unable to convince Mr. Zhu?"

Zhang Gen shook his head: "Xiangong Zhu only wants to be crowned king, saying that it is inconvenient to crown him emperor because the world is uncertain."

Gao Jingshan said: "Just claiming the title of king is not enough to convince the public, and will cause a lot of unnecessary trouble."

Zhang Gen said: "This needs to be persuaded by the marshal. However, the country has already been called a strong man. It seems unsightly to call it Han again."

Gao Jingshan asked: "Zhu Xianggong seems to be from Guangnan?"

"There is such a saying, but it doesn't look like it to me," Zhang Gen guessed, "I'm afraid it's an excuse to avoid disaster."

Gao Jingshan said: "Based on where Marshal Zhu served, the country could also be called Wei, Qi, Liang, or Shu."

Zhao Kuangyin named the country Song because he served as the governor of Songzhou.

Ju Ming has served as magistrate for several times, so he can naturally use those place names. Anyway, there are many choices.

Zhang Gen pondered: "Shu is too peaceful, and Wei and Liang are not beautiful either. Qi can be considered."

Neither of them paid much attention to Song Huizong. Although Zhao Ji was "located in the southeast", he was just a paper tiger and could be captured quickly with tens of thousands of troops.

On the contrary, Prime Minister Zhong needs a good beating.

In the blink of an eye, Kaifeng has arrived.

Zhu Ming, leading a large number of officials and soldiers, was standing by the Huimin River, waiting for countless people to come and watch the excitement.

A group of sergeants cleared the way, and Zhu Guoxiang took his wife and concubines off the boat, followed by Grandma Yan and several children. Ju Ming's wives, concubines and children were also among the team.

Sichuan officials were led by Zhang Gen and Gao Jingshan.

Even Zhao Yu, who was leading the Sichuan troops and fighting against Ju Ming, was among the troops at the moment. This member of the Song Dynasty clan was imprisoned for more than half a year, and I don't know how Zhu Guoxiang managed to subdue him.

"Greetings to Mr. Jinglue!"

Zhu Ming led the officials, citizens and soldiers to shout together, and many people even knelt down on their own initiative.

That kind of grand scene made Zhu Guoxiang feel extremely proud, and he felt like he had the world in his hands.

No wonder everyone likes to be an emperor!

Zhu Guoxiang thought to himself, I haven't even become emperor yet, but I'm already enjoying it. Power is indeed a man's aphrodisiac.

Ju Ming stepped forward to greet him again and winked at his wife and concubines.

Zhu Guoxiang smiled and said: "I have lost a lot of weight and have become darker."

"Can you not lose weight? The Jin people are not easy to deal with. Although they haven't fought much, they have to be on guard all day long," Zhu Ming complained. "I am more tired after taking Kaifeng than before entering the city. I can't trust the officials here. Just wait. You bring the Sichuan team over."

Zhu Guoxiang nodded and said: "Let's talk about it first in the city."