"This matter was handled by our Ministry of Rites, so I know better. Because of this matter, the official met with the envoys of the Northern Liao Dynasty at Zichen Hall. The official said straight to the point that he specifically asked about this matter."
Liu Zhengfu explained to everyone.
"Many people were arrested in Hebei and Hedong because of grain. It was not because these traders and officials were selling grain to Beiliao, but because the grain they sold was stolen from Changping warehouse, and there was even a lot of military rations."
Zhao Ji, Wang Shen, and Li Gonglin's expressions changed, "What? It's not because of the trafficking of grain to the Northern Liao Dynasty, but because of those people stealing official and military rations?"
This excuse is too strong.
"Yes. In fact, the Privy Council reported at the court meeting that these grains seemed to have been ordered by merchants from Northern Liao. In fact, Xixia spent a lot of money to buy them for them, and then transferred them to Xijing Road in Northern Liao and then transported them to Xixia. Last year, the officials
He led the Shaanxi armies to defeat the Xia army. Their autumn harvest was greatly reduced, and there will be a great famine this year."
"The leader of the Xia Kingdom collects grain at all costs. However, Shaanxi Sixth Road adheres to the strict official decree and does not allow a grain of grain to leave the customs. Xixia has no way, so they come up with such a strategy. The Liao Kingdom merchants came from our Song Kingdom, Hebei and Hedong
Buying grain and selling it to Xixia can make huge profits several times over, so I am very enthusiastic about it."
"Businessmen from the Liao Kingdom quickly found several large grain merchants in Hedong and Hebei to place orders. However, this matter has been under the supervision of the Privy Council and the Ministry of Punishment. As soon as the grain came out of the warehouse, they started arresting people. Hundreds of people were arrested in one go, including seven large grain merchants.
Shang involves the descendants and relatives of the Wang family of Taiyuan, the Wen family of Fenzhou, the Wang family of Heyang, the Li family of Zhaojun, the Han family of Zhending, the Jia family, the famous Wang family and other aristocratic families."
Hearing this, Zhao Ji asked curiously: "Are all those grains really smuggled out from Changping warehouse and military depot?"
"Your Highness, in many prefectures and counties in Hebei and Hedong, the government is in a state of turmoil. The children of aristocratic families have taken advantage of their family's reputation and connections to work in various camps. They have done many illegal things. This time, I heard that Beiliao is in need of food in large quantities and urgently.
.Start from Chang Pingcang and military rations, there are many and fast..."
Wang Shen sighed, and Li Gonglin cursed bitterly.
"These bastards! They are so audacious!"
Chang Pingcang is a relief food prepared for natural disasters, but this is too greedy, and it is really too heart-wrenching.
There are also military rations. No matter how you look down on the assassins... warriors, they are protecting their homes and the country on the border, but you are stealing and selling their rations behind the scenes. In your hearts, they are not even comparable to the dogs that guard the homes and courtyards.
.
Forcing those warriors into chaos and colluding with the Liao soldiers would be a big disaster.
So ignorant!
Zhao Ji asked nonchalantly: "Isn't it true that all the food comes from Changping food and military food?"
"Your Highness, a minister also asked the same question. Cao Liulang asked back in the Chui Gong Hall, if the grains are mixed together, can you tell which grain is civilian grain and which grain is military grain? You have to check them one by one and give an explanation. You can't.
It chilled the hearts of the soldiers and civilians in Hebei."
"This is nonsense. After all, Cao Liulang is also an important member of the Ministry of Justice. How can he talk like this? It is simply disrespectful to the state and an insult to the Song Dynasty, a country of etiquette."
Seeing Zhao Ji suddenly getting angry, the three of them knew that he was taking the opportunity to get angry for no apparent reason, and they quickly changed the topic for fear that he would say something even worse.
"Your Highness, let's not talk about state affairs. Such mundane matters are detrimental to elegance. Let's just drink tea and enjoy lotus flowers."
"Yes, let's not talk about these annoying things and just enjoy tea and appreciate the lotus." Zhao Ji's expression flashed for a few times and he returned to his usual elegant temperament.
At the same time, in the Sifang Pavilion, Xiao Fengxian, the commander of the Liao Kingdom, was sitting at the top with an angry look on his face, his eyes gleaming like a vulture, scanning the faces of everyone below.
He is the elder brother of the emperor's grandson Yelu Yanxi, the main concubine Xiao Duolilan, and the side concubine Xiao Guige. Now that the Lord of Liao is old and frail, the emperor's grandson Yelu Yanxi will soon succeed to the throne.
And Xiao Fengxian, who was extremely favored by the emperor's grandson, became very popular. This time in the Song Dynasty, the emperor was mourning, and the Lord of Liao was lamenting and sent him as an envoy to express his condolences, which shows how much he was valued.
Now Xiao Fengxian was furious, and everyone below was panicked.
"Why did the people of the Song Dynasty become so cunning? All the grain was seized, and not a single grain was allowed to be shipped out. We were urged from the north and quickly asked the officials of the Song Dynasty to issue an edict to release the grain. But these southern barbarians insisted that they investigate and deal with it.
This is a major case of corruption and has nothing to do with anything else. I am really annoyed by this!"
Xiao Fengxian yelled loudly, so full of anger that he almost burst out from his mouth and nostrils.
Deputy envoy Li Chu persuaded with a warm smile: "My uncle, don't worry, these Nanman people are now powerful outside, and they only have a mouth to talk about. Tomorrow, when negotiating with the Nanman emperor, my uncle made it clear that if the grain is not released,
We, the Liao Kingdom, will mobilize our troops to go south and transport the grain ourselves."
His uncle Li Yan had been friends with Xiao Fengxian for decades. This time he came to the Song Dynasty with him to coat them with gold so that he could make further progress.
"Okay!" Xiao Fengxian clapped his thigh and said, "That's it! These southern barbarians will not give in until they see the power of my Daliao iron hoof scimitar!"
At this time, a relative came in and whispered a few words into Xiao Fengxian's ear.
Xiao Fengxian looked serious and shook his head repeatedly.
He then took out a piece of paper, which seemed to be a list.
After Xiao Feng looked at it first, his eyes shone with golden light, and the greedy smile at the corner of his mouth was clearly visible like exposed teeth.
He put a roll of the list into his arms, stood up and cupped his hands and said: "You all continue to discuss and see how you can make stern representations to the officials of the Song Dynasty tomorrow. I have some important matters, so I will deal with them temporarily."
Walking to a side room, a waiter was waiting there.
Seeing Xiao Feng come in first, he greeted him with a smile.
"Liang Shicheng, the minister in charge of Dongtou Province in the Song Dynasty, met Xiao Taiwei, the envoy of the Liao Kingdom."
Xiao Fengxian walked straight to the top and sat down. He said with a smile, "What's the matter with your officials sending you here?"
Liang Shicheng asked with a smile: "Lieutenant Xiao, how much benefit did you get from purchasing food for the Xia Kingdom?"
Xiao Fengxian's expression changed slightly.
He took great pains, both soft and hard, to force the Song monarchs and ministers to release the grain transported to the north. It was definitely not out of love for Xixia or the strategic purpose of suppressing the Song Dynasty.
In Xiao Fengxian's heart, it didn't matter how many people starved to death in Xixia. As for the Song State, it had always been weak and there was no need to suppress it, so it was naturally submissive.
In the business of reselling grain to Xixia, he had a share of the profits.
However, Liang Shicheng's mention aroused hatred in Xiao Fengxian's heart.
Although he is deeply trusted by the emperor's grandson, the emperor's grandson is still just the prince after all. The Lord of Liao favors a group of "predecessors", Xiao Temo, Yelu, Lu O, Yelu Asi... The benefits of selling grain this time,
Most of it was taken up by them.
To be able to get a piece of the pie, it was Xiao Feng who took advantage of the opportunity and worked hard to tear off a piece of meat.
Xiao Fengxian remained calm and looked at Liang Shicheng's words and deeds with cold eyes.
Liang Shixiang could see through the joy and sorrow in Xiao Fengxian's heart, and continued to say softly: "Lieutenant Xiao, why are you charging ahead and letting them take all the benefits?" chapter