After a moment, the five prime ministers walked into the imperial study room quickly, each of them looking solemn.
Qin Hui bowed and said: "Your Majesty, there is no specific battle report yet, not even a flying pigeon message. The situation is still unclear, but the "Beijing News" is deceiving the public and inciting people's emotions. Wei Chen suggested that the "Beijing News" be closed down.
Please approve it, Your Majesty!"
Zhao Gou sighed and said, "What if the whole army is really wiped out?"
"Your Majesty, these are two things. Victory and defeat are common matters for military officers and should not be taken too seriously. However, the "Beijing News" incited people's emotions, ruined the credibility of the court, and weakened His Majesty's prestige. It is really difficult to forgive."
Zhu Shengfei also provoked: "Your Majesty, no matter whether the battle report is true or not, the "Beijing News" is not qualified to publish this kind of news in front of the court, which will cause great trouble to the court. The last time the Haizhou defeat was published first, the "Beijing News"
The bad influence it caused has not been eliminated even now. If the imperial court lets it do what it does, the public sentiment in the imperial court will gradually weaken. This may be the purpose of Chen Qing's publication of the "Beijing News"."
Huang Guinian hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, no, the people in Lin'an City are furious now. If the "Beijing News" is sealed, it will definitely cause greater chaos, damage the credibility of the court, and will definitely attract Chen Qing's revenge. Back then, it was
His Majesty personally agreed to open a newspaper office, but Wei Chen believes that we can make an appointment, but we cannot ban the newspaper!"
Zhao Gou found that Xu Xiantu was standing at the end and remained silent, so he asked: "What is Xu Aiqing's opinion?"
"Weichen was thinking about other important things and didn't consider such a small issue!"
"piece of cake?"
Qin Hui said dissatisfied: "Public opinion in the entire capital has been controlled by Chen Qing, and you still dare to say that this is a small problem. Then may I ask Mr. Xu, what is the big problem?"
"It is a big problem that Zhang Jun has occupied Jiangnan West Road. Will he divide his troops into two groups to attack Lin'an? I think it is a bigger problem. When will Zhang Jun's army reach Lin'an City? How can we defend the city? Qin
Does the Prime Minister think these are just minor problems?"
"This is nonsense. Could such a thing happen?" Qin Hui glared at Xu Xiantu.
As soon as he finished speaking, the chamberlain reported outside the door, "Your Majesty, Yanzhou is reporting urgently. The 20,000 vanguards of the Huaixi Army have entered Quzhou. Yanzhou is in emergency!"
"ah!"
Zhao Gou stood up abruptly and said anxiously: "Xu Xiangguo, what can we do?"
Xu Xiantu said coldly: "Your Majesty, you can ask Qin Xiangguo, he said that this kind of thing can't happen."
"you--"
Qin Hui said angrily: "When did you say such sarcastic words without caring about the overall situation?"
Xu Xiantu said calmly: "If your majesty wants to listen to Wei Chen's words, please invite Qin Xianggong out. Otherwise, he will oppose any suggestions made by Wei Chen, and then the suggestions he puts forward will definitely end in disastrous failure."
Qin Hui said angrily: "That's nonsense. When did I propose a proposal that ended in disastrous failure? Please explain it clearly!"
"In the Battle of Haizhou, did you encourage His Majesty to urge the Song army to march? I was in Yangzhou, but the special envoy who issued the decree bypassed Yangzhou and bypassed me as the commander. Isn't it your responsibility?
Wasn't it your suggestion to urge Li Hui to march immediately? As a result, the entire army was annihilated due to the trap? Don't you have any responsibility? Also, was it your instigation to force Zhang Jun to rebel? Chen Qing occupied Jinghu South Road
He Beilu, is it because you forcibly intervened in the negotiations?"
"enough!"
Zhao Gou couldn't keep it off his face. Xu Xiantu's accusation was particularly harsh to Zhao Gou. He slapped the table and shouted: "You all get out, get out!"
Everyone had no choice but to leave. Qin Hui and Xu Xiantu glared at each other and followed them out. At this time, Zhao Gou waved his hand and said, "Ms. Xu, stay!"
Qin Hui felt annoyed, gritted his teeth secretly, and had to hurry out.
Only Zhao Gou and Xu Xiantu were left in the imperial study. After a while, Zhao Gou sighed and said, "Let's not talk about Qin Xianggong. Let's talk about the current situation. The situation is critical now. What should I do?"
"Your Majesty must first forgive me for speaking out, and then I can speak."
"Say it! I will pardon your innocence."
Xu Xiantu sighed and said: "The defeat of Jiangnan West Road was caused by Li Hui's incompetence and lack of responsibility. At this critical moment, your Majesty must put his talents first. Others are not important. Wei Chen recommended Han Shizhong before, and he still recommends him now
He, and then Wei Chen recommended Wu Ji to guard Zhenjiang Mansion. He is currently idle in Lin'an, so it is just a good time to use him!"
Zhao Huahua thought for a while and said: "Let's do this! I will convene a military and political meeting to listen to their ideas before using them."
Xu Xiantu nodded, "Absolutely!"
"What about the Beijing News?"
Zhao Gou asked unwillingly: "Should we seal it? Or order it to temporarily suspend publication!"
Xu Xiantu said calmly: "Your Majesty, if you listen to Qin Hui's slander and seal the Beijing News today, I can guarantee that Zhang Jun's 200,000 troops will definitely come to Lin'an City, and Han Shizhong and Wu Gao will be defeated, and...
A disastrous failure.”
Zhao Gou was moved, "Why?"
Xu Xiantu felt a little anxious. Can't you see such an obvious situation?
Zhang Jun's rebellion is not terrible, but what is terrible is Chen Qing behind Zhang Jun. He has drawn his sword out of its sheath, but His Majesty doesn't feel anything at all. It's really worrying!
"Some things are a tacit agreement that cannot be broken. The Beijing News is a tacit agreement between His Majesty and Chen Qing. If His Majesty breaks it, Chen Qing will definitely give his full support to Zhang Jun. I am afraid that the troops facing Han Shizhong and Wu Gao will
It's not Zhang Jun's army, but the Western Army disguised as the Huaixi Army. He waited for Zhang Jun to conquer Lin'an, and then supported the late emperor to ascend the throne in Jingzhao and establish the Western Song Dynasty. Does Your Majesty think this possibility is absurd?"
Zhao Gou was so frightened that he broke into a cold sweat. This is completely possible! Maybe this is the truth.
"Could Chen Qing be involved in the fiasco on Jiangnan West Road?" Zhao Gou asked nervously.
"Your Majesty, Chen Qing must have been involved. He will never stand idly by. I got a piece of information yesterday that may be able to prove this."
"What information?"
"It's about Luo Ji, the governor of Yangzhou. He has taken his family to the north. According to reliable information, Luo Ji has already bought land in Jingzhao."
"You mean to say that the rebels gathering on the north bank of the Yangtze River was false news reported by Luo Ji?"
"It should be that the Huaixi Army has just begun to gather in Yangzhou, and the warships are still on the way."
Zhao Gou sat down slumped, with a deep sense of powerlessness in his heart. Chen Qing was thoughtful and thought out every step. An inexplicable fear arose in his heart, and he quickly asked: "Do you mean, I won't do it?"
If the "Beijing News" is touched, Chen Qing will not fully support Zhang Jun?"
Xu Xiantu shook his head, "Weichen just said that if the "Beijing News" is touched, he will definitely support him, but on the other hand, Weichen can't guarantee it, but is there a way to prevent him from assisting Zhang Jun?"
"What can we do?" Zhao Gou asked urgently.
"Your Majesty asks Chen Qing for help!"
"Ask for help?" Zhao Gou was stunned.
Xu Xiantu nodded slowly, "As long as Chen Qing gets the benefits he wants, he will definitely send troops to destroy Zhang Jun. If he doesn't get the benefits he wants from His Majesty, then he will definitely get it from Zhang Jun. Your Majesty
, In fact, we have no choice. Zhang Jun’s rebellion is Chen Qing’s opportunity, and he will seize this opportunity no matter what.”
"Let me think about it! Think about it again!" Zhao Gou's voice became lower and lower.
Xu Xiantu sighed and said: "Your Majesty can think about Chen Qing's affairs slowly, but the current crisis cannot be delayed for a moment. Please convene a military and political meeting immediately!"
