That night, candles were lit in countless mansions' studies until dawn.
That night, I don’t know how many people didn’t even sleep. They were just thinking about the current situation and looking for ways to break it.
When the sky was still dark, the palace had become lively. Countless cars and sedans were parked here, and one gentleman after another was seated inside.
The existence of these hundreds of people can represent the entire Song Dynasty and the people of Shangzhao.
But, can they really represent it?
The bell rang and the officials entered the palace. In terms of rank, those closest to the inside were the senior officials. Outside were the officials of the third rank, followed by the fourth rank, fifth rank, and sixth rank.
As soon as the hour came, Zhao Zhen, dressed in fiery red imperial robes, appeared in the Jinluan Palace with Zhang Maoze. At that moment, there were respectful greetings from all the officials who came to see him.
After the words "Long Live the Emperor and Long Live the Emperor" came down, the proceedings officially began.
Compared with usual, there were many less tedious opening remarks. Zhao Zhen looked directly at the officials who could not even see his head below and asked, "After a night, I believe that all my dear friends will have their own thoughts. Now who can talk first?
"
At this time, Zhao Zhen was not in a good state of mind.
Last night, although he lay down on the dragon bed very early, he still couldn't fall asleep. It was almost dawn, so he just squinted for a while, and now his head was still a little dizzy.
Now in Xixia, the barbarian and Mongolian armies are pressing down on the territory.
No! It shouldn’t be said that they were forced to enter the country. They all entered the country.
What is hateful is that the mighty Song Dynasty has not yet come up with a charter. Do they really have to wait until these aliens arrive outside Bianliang City before they think of what they should do?
At this moment, Zhao Zhen was very disappointed with some of his ministers.
What is disappointing is not their ideas, but their actions.
"Your Majesty, I and others have discussed it and believe that the most important thing to do now is to order the Western Army to make preparations to attack Xixia." The first one to stand up was Privy Councilor Wang Deyong.
Regardless of whether he is willing to be the first to stand up, if something like this happens, as the Privy Councilor, he has to stand up, otherwise, his official career will be over.
"Attack Xixia? Encircle Wei and rescue Zhao?"
Zhao Zhen heard what he meant and felt that it seemed to make sense. Then he asked, "How to solve the Man Meng matter?"
"Your Majesty, regarding the Mongols' matter, we should immediately send envoys to the North to contact them to see what their demands are. If they are not too excessive, we can agree to them first and stabilize the situation first." The person who stood up this time was
Wen Yanbo.
This representative of the compromise faction went into battle personally.
The matter was urgent, and it was obviously too late to control others to submit letters at this time, so each of the big bosses personally took the stand.
"Are you going to pay tribute to the barbarian?" Zhao Zhen heard what he meant and looked a little ugly.
"It's not about paying tribute, it's about negotiating peace. If we find what they want, we have it. We may have to pay some price in the early stage, but if both parties can open markets to each other, the money they paid will be earned back sooner or later." Wen Yanbo explained aloud.
With.
That's right, Wen Yanbo started his old trick again, that is, first compromise and then assimilate.
In the end, the enemy was allowed to indulge in the prosperity of the Song Dynasty, wear away their wild nature, and eventually became like those high-ranking officials in the Liao Kingdom, living a luxurious life and eventually degenerating.
The two bosses represented the opinions of the two camps respectively. When they stood up to express their opinions, the other ministers were speechless.
Perhaps many people have other ideas in mind, but they are in a low position. Even if they stand up, they cannot decide anything. Instead, they will become the target of attacks by others, and the gains outweigh the losses.
Su Shi, who was sitting in a wheelchair in about the ninth row, watched this scene silently.
This was the first time he appeared in a court meeting.
But what did he see?
The war-fearing faction has appeared, and the compromise faction has also appeared, but there is no main war faction. How could the mighty Song Dynasty be so depressed?
Is this the end and result of emphasizing culture and restraining force?
Could it be that among so many people, there is not even one person who is full of blood?
Bao Heizi, Fu Bi and others want to stand up, but they can't get help from others at all. If they say they want to fight, can they guarantee victory?
If they lose because they want to fight, this responsibility is something they simply cannot afford.
Also, if you want to fight a big war, you must at least get the support of the three envoys. Otherwise, where will the money come from? Where will the food come from?
Where did the ordnance and war horse armor come from?
You can't just pick up a stick and go to war. If this is the case, you are not going to fight, but you are going to die.
Sitting in a wheelchair, Su Shi watched silently, feeling a little sad in his heart. It turned out that this was what people call the Rich Song Dynasty and the Weak Song Dynasty.
"Why can't we fight? We in the Song Dynasty have no shortage of good men and women who can protect our country and our country!"
Just when Zhao Zhen was still considering the feasibility of the matter, and other courtiers were still waiting for the official to make a decision, behind Su Shi, who even felt that he was outside the door, suddenly a shout came out.
"Who is making the noise behind you?" Another voice suddenly appeared above the court, attracting the attention of many courtiers, and everyone's eyes kept looking back. At the same time, Zhang Maoze's scolding voice was also accompanied.
"Pass." Zhao Zhen, on the other hand, was happy and said with hope after hearing the different opinions.
"Tell the speaker to come forward." Zhang Maoze bowed his head and agreed, then shouted again in a high voice.
In the last row of the ministers, a general with a silver helmet strode forward and walked straight to the front of the Golden Palace.
When passing by Su Shi, Su Shi's eyes were looking at him. He looked like he was in his early thirties, and he was very energetic. He seemed to have a chilling aura about him. He must have killed people before, but he didn't have this bloody aura.
It's very strong, so I guess it didn't kill too many people even on the battlefield.
Su Shi did not know this person, but it did not prevent other colleagues around him from knowing him. Soon the words Yang Wenguang fell into Su Shi's ears.
Yang Wenguang, named Zhongrong, was born in Taiyuan, Bingzhou. He was the grandson of Taiwei Yang Ye and the son of Yang Yanzhao, the deputy commander of Gaoyangguan.
This person's reputation is not well known now, and everyone only knows that he is the Queen of Zhongliang, but in later generations, his name has been widely circulated, and the Yang family general is almost known to everyone.
At this time, Yang Wenguang was only in his early thirties, and he only had an official status. To put it bluntly, he was the gatekeeper waiting outside the main hall, and he was a ninth-grade military general.
Just now, it was he who was guarding the door with a few preparations. He heard the discussion in the court and heard that the ministers were either afraid of war or wanted to compromise and negotiate peace. On impulse, he shouted
Such a loud voice.
Under the emphasis on civility and suppression of military power, the status of military officers was originally low. Even those generals who had repeatedly made military exploits could only enter the Privy Council, and any deputy envoy was as tall as the sky.
Just like Di Qing, because of his great military exploits, he served as a privy envoy, but because of the emperor's suspicion, he eventually died of depression. There are even rumors that he was scared to death.
It can be seen from this that the status of military commanders is low. But now when everyone saw that there was only a ninth-grade official standing up, many ministers suddenly showed a look of disdain on their faces.
He's just a mindless warrior, what else can he do besides fighting and killing?
I really don’t know why the official family called such a person into the main hall today. It’s really embarrassing to be in the same company.
Zhao Zhen was indeed a little sick and wanted to seek medical treatment. After hearing that voice, he asked Xuanren to take a look. However, when he saw that it was Yang Wenguang who came, he couldn't help but show a look of disappointment on his face.
He knew this man. After being a loyal minister, his family had sacrificed and injured several generations for the Song Dynasty.
Zhao Zhen respects such people from the bottom of his heart and will take care of them as much as possible if conditions permit.
But that's all. If he really expects these brainless warriors to help him achieve his great cause, then forget it. These people who only know how to fight and kill, just don't do bad things at critical times.
"That's all, go down."
After recognizing Yang Wenguang's identity, Zhao Zhen didn't even think about talking to him, and waved his hand to let him go down to the palace.
Today we called Daqi, which expanded the number of officials in the Great Court Meeting, but at least they must be of rank six or above. Now that a ninth-grade military general has come, wouldn't it lower the level of the Great Court Meeting and make people laugh.
Yang Wenguang was originally full of excitement, but also wanted to stand up and express his attitude on behalf of these generals, that is, they are not afraid of war. As long as the Song Dynasty needs it, they are willing to throw their heads, shed blood, and fight with any invading enemy.
Kill, even if necessary, they are willing to give their lives.
But now, he didn't say anything, and the officials asked him to retreat. He felt unhappy for a while, "Your Majesty..."
"Step back." Zhang Maoze's eyes widened, as if he was angry, as if he was warning, and as if he was also telling Yang Wenguang that such a major matter is not something that you, a ninth-grade palace official, can interfere at will.
Seeing Zhang Zhongguan's gaze, a sigh came from Yang Wenguang's mouth, and he was about to turn around and leave.
Above the court, there was still no voice for military generals like them. They were nothing more than chess pieces in the hands of the civil servants, at the mercy of others.
Yang Wenguang was a little disappointed, so he was about to turn back, but when he turned around, he saw a young man wearing a purple robe and official clothes and sitting in a wheelchair behind him.
"Sir." Seeing the purple robe on his body, Yang Wenguang quickly bowed and prepared to give way.
"Wait a minute." Su Shi said in the wheelchair.
"Um?"
As soon as Su Shi said this, he immediately attracted the attention of many ministers.
Su Shi came in a wheelchair. The Chui Gong Hall was very flat, and everyone's eyes were on Yang Wenguang, so no one paid attention to him.
