In Ye An's impression, Cao Lili has always been a serious man, and most of the descriptions of him in history books are related to the Chanyuan Alliance.
But in fact, it was not him who decided to "buy peace" with Sui coins, but Emperor Zhenzong. He was just like Li Hongzhang, who was criticized by later generations for participating in the negotiations, and was scolded as a traitor.
In fact, if you look at Cao Cao's merits and demerits, you will find that he used his troops well and led them well. He was a rare general. Although he got the position because of Yin En, his acquired talents and hard work are also very important.
Although Cao Lili came to power through the peace talks of the Chanyuan Alliance, he also made many achievements later. He made outstanding achievements during the pacification of Lingnan, killing thousands of thieves. He served successively as the envoy of Hakka Province, the defense envoy of Jiazhou, and later the general manager of Yanyan Road.
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His resume along the way was more eye-catching than that of ordinary ministers, so he was trusted by Zhenzong to become the privy envoy. Now he is not only the privy envoy, but also the Pingzhangshi of Tongzhongshu. Compared with Wang Zeng, who was involved in political affairs,
They should all be stronger.
Tong Zhongshu's intention to negotiate with Zhongshu and his subordinates to deal with government affairs shows his status in the heart of the Tianjia.
"Ye Hou was also in the military, did he ever see the suffering of border officers and soldiers?"
Cao Liang came up and asked Ye An, which caught him a little off guard, but he crossed his hands and said: "Ye An is ashamed. He has seen the state of the soldiers in the border states. It is really unbearable, so he clearly knows the food and grass and analyzes the cost. What's wrong?"
"The opinions of a young man, the words of loyalty!" Cao Li threw down his sleeves bitterly, and said to Ye An's confusion: "When there is a Cui Jien in Huanzhou, and Zhou Zongzhi, you can see the suspicion.
Why do they want to squeeze the border people? It's not that the court's money and food are not enough. The wastage and exploitation along the way. How much will be left when the food and grass reaches the border states? The border states are all barren lands, and even the food and grass garrison is a drop in the bucket. The army
As a result, the cost is huge, and if it is sent with an exact amount, it will be even worse! The Privy Council has always sent an approximate amount, in order to have a place to move around, so that it can be used in emergencies, and it can also allow the border officers to have a good meal.
!You should also know that the army is accompanied by military relatives and relatives, and behind a soldier there is a large family of people who are eating and drinking with him! If the army is short of food and clothing, the morale of the army will definitely be unstable, and how can it guard the border and defend the country!"
Ye An was slightly startled. This was something he had never thought of, but Cao Lili explained it in great detail, and took into account the issue of the military families. Neither the officials of the Third Division nor the Sinong Temple paid any attention to the military families.
When the army is guarding the border, the garrison is completed by these military dependents. Their tax rate is very low, which should be enough.
"The army is out in the field, stationed in the army and self-sufficient. The military expenses are all out of the army. I don't know why the court still has to bear the burden?"
"Beared by the imperial court?!" Hehe, Cao Li sneered and said: "Do you know what the imperial court gave you? There are even pickles from the Jianlong period in Bianzhou, and those are for military families! Apparently they are borne by the imperial court.
It's just a few jars of pickled vegetables, but in fact the imperial court has to bear a large amount of food and grass, and the border troops are also suffering unspeakably!"
Ye An was a little confused. He had been to Huanzhou and saw the sacrifices of local soldiers on the battlefield, but he did not expect that their daily lives were so poor.
"Then why didn't Privy Cao tell the matter in court and explain the pros and cons?"
Cao Li didn't say anything, but looked at Ye An with a sharp look that made him afraid that this old guy had many lives on his hands. When he got angry, there was a sharp murderous intent in his eyes.
"Explain the pros and cons? What a good statement! Do you think this is ridiculous?!"
Ye An was suddenly startled, and then said with a bitter smile: "You made a mistake..." The civil and military forces of the DPRK and China were at odds with each other. The civil servants always suppressed the military generals, and they were extremely harsh on military matters. If Cao Lili dared to make this opening, he would definitely
Let the civil servants seize the sore foot and say that he is trying to win over the military and has evil intentions.
Although they are slanderous words, such words have the lowest cost and are extremely lethal.
The old Zhao family's guard against generals is no less than a shepherd's guard against wolves. As long as it involves the rule of the old Zhao family, whether it is rumors or rumors, Cao will definitely be attacked, and no matter how bad it is, he will be dismissed.
The position of Privy Councilor.
With someone as proud as Cao Yong, he was willing to put down his body and talk to him in detail. It can be seen that the matter of grain and grass in Bianzhou is particularly important. Ye An frowned slightly and then crossed his hands and saluted: "Today Ye An is just reporting to the official sage, Si Nong."
It is just a document from the temple, and most of the fixed figures in it will not change. After all, the facts have not changed. However, the food and fodder for the frontier soldiers can still be discussed. Most of them are calculations and cannot be counted. I would like to ask Privy Council Cao to be kind and give the following.
If necessary, our Sinong Temple will discuss it in detail based on the documents issued by the Privy Council, soldiers, military families, and many other factors!"
Seeing Ye An's change of attitude so quickly, even Cao Lili was a little surprised, and then frowned and said: "Why don't you ask me why I said that? Aren't you worried that I am enriching my own pockets?"
Ye An smiled: "First of all, Ye An has indeed seen the hardships of the border troops. Secondly, if the Privy Councilor enriches his own pockets, it has nothing to do with Ye An. That is the matter of the Yushitai, and Ye An has nothing to do with it!"
Cao Li was stunned for a moment, then laughed loudly: "Haha, interesting, interesting! This is the first time I have ever seen someone describe myself in such a smooth manner. You are indeed different from ordinary civil servants! You are quite good, boy!"
Seeing Cao Lili throwing away his sleeves and leaving, Ye An was a little speechless. Unexpectedly, this old guy was so quick-tongued that he left so elegantly after achieving his goal. He was really unusual in the court.
It's no wonder that civil servants criticized him a lot. Such an alternative would not be able to stand firmly in the court, and Cao Cao's position as Privy Councilor might not be preserved either.
Military generals serve as privy councilors, which puts great pressure on civil servants. After all, the position of privy councilors is high and powerful, and it is the only one who can compete with the ministers.
The civil servants seemed to have occupied the position of privy envoy early on, but they still needed to be strong in order to forge iron. They could speak eloquently about the art of war, but when it came to strategy and the actual use of troops, they could not catch up with the generals.
But Ye An knew that things would gradually turn around, and soon the civil servants of the Song Dynasty would also be able to serve as privy envoys, and they would make up the majority.
Ye An himself knew that when Wang Zeng and Fan Yong secretly helped him gain military power in Huanzhou, it was largely a test of military power by civilian officials. After all, he was still nominally a civil servant, which meant he represented a civilian official.
There was a conflict between Wang Zeng and Lu Yijian, but because Wang Qinruo and Wang Qinruo temporarily stood together, now that Wang Qinruo was dismissed as prime minister, there was no threat to them both, so the two stopped fighting again.
Ye An saw it but laughed it off. There are no permanent friends in the court, only eternal interests. Wang Zeng and Lu Yijian don't deal with each other. Isn't this a good thing for him?
Of course, it was a good thing for Liu E. Ye An slowly walked out of the palace and found that the peace in the court had been broken again. Wang Qinruo's dismissal made the conflict between Wang Zeng and Lu Yijian more intense.