Chen Qing's report lasted for a whole morning, and most of the time was a question and answer session between Emperor Zhao Gou and Chen Qing.
But from the questions and answers here, the ministers basically understood the current situation in the northwest. Chen Qing's answer was even more profound than Zhang Jun's report last year. At least Zhang Jun never talked about the Xixia people factor.
In the imperial study, Zhao Gou stood in front of the window with his hands behind his hands, staring at the clouds in the sky. Today from Chen Qing, he learned about the complex situation in the northwest and the fragility of the Song Dynasty's rule in the northwest. There were Jin Kingdom and Xixia
With strong penetration in the northwest region, it was really difficult for the Song Dynasty to regain the northwest.
At this moment, Zhao Gou even had the idea of giving up the northwest completely. As long as he could keep Sichuan, it didn't matter whether he wanted the dry and cold land in the northwest.
But if you give up, how should you explain to your ancestors?
On one side is the cruelty of reality, on the other side is the inheritance of his ancestors. The two contradictory decisions are intertwined in his heart, making him feel upset.
"Does Mr. Zhang think there is still hope for the northwest?" Zhao Gou asked in a low mood.
Zhang Jun bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I have told your Majesty before that the northwest is actually a protracted battle. We take the defense of Dashan Pass as an opportunity. Every big victory will enable us to expand to the northwest.
, Qinzhou is the result of the great victory at Sanguan at the beginning of the year.
It is a pity that Zhu Shengfei fell into the Jin soldiers' strategy of retreating to advance, blindly expanded, and cut off the money and food supply of the front army on his own initiative, resulting in a series of disastrous defeats. Even Hanzhong was defeated by the Jin soldiers. Chen Qing rushed thousands of miles to help.
Instead of being grateful, he accused Chen Qing of going south without obeying military orders, which was extremely pedantic and incompetent. The ministers were very worried that he would lose Bashu."
Zhao Gou didn't want to talk about Zhu Shengfei's matter. Zhu Shengfei cut off the supply of money and food to the front. In fact, he was just following his orders. However, Zhao Gou did not expect the consequences to be so serious, but he could not blame Zhu Shengfei for this matter.
"Chen Qing moved the Qinzhou administrative seat north to Ganquan Fort. What does Mr. Zhang think?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Chengji County is a place of the Fourth War and a transportation hub. It is easily attacked by the enemy. Now that the Song army is weak, it has moved to a place where it is difficult for the enemy to attack. At the same time, it can defend against the southern invasion of Xixia. Ganquan Fort
It is undoubtedly the most suitable choice.
Wei Chen agreed with what Chen Qing said. There is no supply place within a hundred miles of Ganquan Fort, and there are no trees within fifty miles. If the enemy attacks Ganquan Fort, a long supply line must be established. Once the supply line is harassed and cut off, it will
It would lead to the defeat of the enemy. Such a high war cost ensured the safety of Ganquan Fort. I believe that Ganquan Fort will become the starting point for the Song Army to retake the northwest."
Zhao Gou nodded, "Aiqing is right. Zhu Shengfei is indeed a bit short-sighted regarding Ganquan Castle. I do not support him."
"Your Majesty, another important point is that Chen Qing should be promoted as soon as possible. This is not for his personal interests, but for the consideration of the situation in the entire northwest. Only if he is promoted to the governor can he assume greater responsibilities, such as Xi
With the troops and horses envoys on He Road, he can justifiably lead his army to recapture Xihe Road."
"I understand what Aiqing means. I will think about it a little more."
Zhang Jun sighed secretly in his heart. Chen Qing's promotion has become the key to protecting the northwest. The officials are still hesitating. This shows how strong the power behind him is to prevent Chen Qing from being promoted.
"Wei Chen resigns!"
Zhang Jun resigned and left. Zhao Gou walked a few steps with his hands behind his back and immediately ordered: "Go to Funing Palace!"
...........
Zhao Gou had no heirs, and his only blood relatives were his two daughters and his mother, Queen Mother Wei, so he was extremely filial to Queen Mother Wei, obeyed her words, and visited his mother every day.
Empress Dowager Wei lived in Funing Palace. Funing Palace occupies a small area, only about 20 acres, but it is quite exquisitely built. This is a characteristic of the palaces of the Song Dynasty. They do not pursue grandeur, but pursue refinement and comfort.
It is midsummer now, and Empress Dowager Wei lives in Qingliang Pavilion, surrounded by hundreds of palace maids and eunuchs.
"My son, I bow to my mother and wish her good health!"
Zhao Gou knelt in front of the gauze curtain and kowtowed respectfully to say hello.
After a long while, a feminine voice came from behind the curtain, "The Ai family is in good health. Your Majesty, don't worry. Your Majesty, come here at this time. What's the matter?"
"Reporting to the Queen Mother, did the Queen Mother make good use of the batch of old palace belongings presented by her son yesterday?"
"It's not bad. Although I'm a little disappointed with seeing things, I finally have some comfort. The emperor is interested."
"Today Zhang Jun specially presented a white jade Guanyin statue to the Queen Mother. It was an offering to the Queen Mother back then. Does the Queen Mother still remember it?"
Empress Dowager Wei thought for a while and suddenly said: "The Ai family has remembered it. It seems that the late emperor gave it to Cai Jing!"
"Exactly, after Cai Jing's house was confiscated, the white jade Guanyin disappeared among the people. It was bought by Chen Qing, the Qinzhou governor, in Jingzhao. Yesterday, Zhang Jun's mother turned 60, and Chen Qing gave it to Zhang Jun as a congratulatory gift. Zhang Jun felt that the Queen Mother was more
If you need it, give it to the Queen Mother."
After saying that, Zhao Gou turned around and winked, and an eunuch carefully brought in the white jade Guanyin and presented it to Empress Dowager Wei. Empress Dowager Wei believed in Buddhism. She had seen this white jade Guanyin before, and she liked it even more now.
"Are the officials trying to intercede with Chen Qing?"
"Mother, Chen Qing defeated a hundred thousand Xixia troops at Ganquan Fort, captured Jingzhao, captured the puppet King of Qin, and sent him to Lin'an for execution, which greatly dealt a blow to the arrogance of the puppet Qi. The old things that I presented to the Queen Mother last night were
He captured it from the palace of the puppet Qi prince. Although he has lower qualifications, his achievements are very great. If he is not promoted, I am afraid that the morale of the Western Army will be unconvinced, which will not be conducive to the stability of the situation in the northwest."
"But the conflict between him and Zhu Shengfei is so deep. Zhu Shengfei can't even control the situation. How can he serve as the propaganda envoy of Sichuan and Shaanxi? The officials don't consider the mood of the coach, but instead go to appease the generals below. It's not appropriate!"
"I would like to inform my mother that Chen Qing reported his work today, and my son-in-law came to know about the misunderstanding. As Chen Qing is in charge, his boss is not Zhu Shengfei, but Wu Gao. He cannot skip the level and report to Zhu Shengfei. This point is not communicated well between the two parties. In addition,
The long distance and lack of information led to deep misunderstandings."
"So Zhu Shengfei is looking for trouble?"
"Zhu Shengfei has only been in office for a short time and does not understand the situation, which is normal."
"Then the officials have really refused to grant him the power to act on behalf of the imperial edict he has repeatedly applied for?"
Empress Dowager Wei's intention was very clear. She wanted Chen Qing to be promoted, but in exchange for Zhu Shengfei's power to act on behalf of the emperor.
Zhao Gou was silent for a while. He didn't give Zhu Shengfei the power of acting as an imperial edict because he didn't want to lose direct control over Sichuan and Shaanxi. He had always regretted giving the power of acting as an edict to Zhang Jun before and took it back with great difficulty. How could he let go again?
go out.
When Queen Mother Wei saw that the officials responded to her with silence, she knew that it would be difficult to win this power for Zhu Shengfei. It seemed that Zhu Shengfei had something else to hide from her.
Forget it, the key is to put Zhu Shengfei aside for the time being and talk about business.
Empress Dowager Wei took a sip of tea and said: "The Ai family in the deep palace also know that monthly money is very harmful. The people have a heavy tax burden, all kinds of exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes are overwhelming, and the people are boiling with resentment. Have the officials not considered how to appease the people?"
"This is a requirement for military expenses. There is really no way. We can only wait until the Jin Kingdom is defeated and then gradually abolish it. I know that the people are burdened with heavy burdens, so I can only save expenses as much as possible."
"When the Ai family was young, they heard a story told by a storyteller in the market. It said that Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were in a confrontation at Guandu. Cao Cao was short of rations. He secretly instructed the ration officer to use a small bucket to put the rations. As a result, the soldiers were angry. Cao Cao said that the ration officer was embezzling the rations.
The army ration officer was killed to calm the anger of the soldiers. The Aijia quoted this story. Do the officials understand?"
Of course, Zhao Gou understood that this was the mother's request to remove Lu Yihao as prime minister and let Lu Yihao take on the responsibility of paying monthly bills.
He kowtowed and said, "My son understands my mother's teachings. I am also considering this matter, but I need an opportunity."
Empress Dowager Wei said calmly: "If the official family can handle this matter, the Ai family also thinks that Chen Qing can be promoted to deputy capital, so be it! The Ai family is tired."
"Mother, take a rest, my sons and ministers will retire!"