After the morning session the next day, Zhao Zhen met with Su Jin in Chongzheng Hall according to the old rules. To Su Jin's surprise, this time he was not summoned alone. Prime Minister Yan Shu, Privy Councilor Du Yan, and Third Secretary of State Xia Song were all present to accompany him. The atmosphere was...
Something unusual.
Zhao Zhen ordered people to place a small mahogany table in the open space, brought a few futons and several people to sit around, abandoning his aloof attitude, and ordered the servants to make tea and order cakes, and then dismissed the servants.
Su Jin looked at Zhao Zhen intently, thinking in his heart: Being diligent is either a traitor or a thief. He warned himself to control him and not to be chongong.
After Zhao Zhen sat down, he beckoned everyone who was standing with their hands down to sit down. He pointed at the teacup and said, "Drink tea. You must have never drank this tea before."
Su Jin saw that the tea leaves were purple-red in color, but the brewed juice was green, which he had never seen before. Du Yan joked: "The emperor's tea is naturally excellent, but I don't know what kind of tea it is."[
Zhao Zhen smiled and said: "This is the Changbai Red Maple Tea that my brother Yelu Zongzhen sent for me to try."
Yan Shu was stunned and said: "Have envoys from the Liao Kingdom come? Why don't the ministers and others not know about it?"
Zhao Zhen said: "I didn't announce it. This is the real personal envoy between me and Yelu Zong. They only talked about some personal friendship, so you don't know. I didn't hide it from you on purpose. It's just that I also want to make friends and have some private space.
Yes or no?"
The three of them nodded silently. Zhao Zhen didn't know how many secrets were unknown, but he didn't need to be too surprised. The emperor naturally had his own way of doing things.
"The reason why I summoned you this time is because Yelu Zongzhen mentioned a major national matter in his private message to me, so I invited you to discuss it." Zhao Zhen said with a smile.
Su Jinxin said: It does give me face, I am just a local official, could it be...
Zhao Zhen added: "Before talking about this matter, I have something to ask Su Aiqing for confirmation."
Su Jin said: "Excuse me, Your Majesty."
Zhao Zhen said: "Recently I heard about the civil strife in Xia. Someone told me that this matter has something to do with Su Aiqing?"
Su Jin thought for a while and said: "It is indeed true. Yuan Hao's murder was planned by me."
Yan Shu, Du Yan, and Xia Song suddenly gasped in unison. If they had not heard Su Jin admit it with their own ears, they would never have thought that Su Jin was involved in this matter. However, the three of them also had some doubts about how Su Jin could instigate civil strife in Xia.
Probably nine times out of ten it's just bragging.
Su Jin knew very well that Zhao Zhen had many eyes and ears. When he asked about this matter, he must have had solid information. At this time, it was better to admit it readily. It was not a bad thing anyway.
Zhao Zhen said angrily: "Since it was you who planned it, why didn't you report it to the court after you accomplished this great feat? The traitor Yuan Hao is someone I always want to get rid of. Tell me, how did you do it?"
Su Jindao: "The reason why I didn't report it is because my original intention was not to get rid of Yuan Hao, but to save a beloved woman. How can such a motive be put on the table?"
"Woman? It's interesting. Let's talk about it." Zhao Zhen squinted and laughed, and the three adults also opened their eyes and listened attentively.
Su Jin then openly told what happened with Yuan Hao's daughter Li Ah Li, confessing that she took the risk and encouraged Li Ning's brother to kill Li Yuan Hao because she couldn't save Li Ah Li. Su Jin knew that Li Ah Li
Zhao Zhen may have known his identity for a long time, but he concealed it as if he had a ghost in his heart.
"Nonsense!" Yan Shu was angry. This boy was just a playboy. He actually risked his life for a woman. How stupid was he? "You are an important official of the Song Dynasty. How could you do such a dangerous move for a barbarian woman?"
?It’s just nonsense.”
"It's child's play indeed." Xia Song also looked at Su Jin angrily and cursed in his heart: "You boy, you deceived my charming daughter, and now you fall in love with another woman, even risking your life to save her, you
It's romantic and happy, if you die, Ling'er won't be a widow."
Su Jin understood the mood of these two people. His own life and death was not that important. The main reason was that he married the daughter of their family and was involved in philandering outside. This was probably the reason for their anger.[
"Haha, I think it's a good story. It's so graceful to sacrifice one's life to save beauty, and the result is not bad. By the way, it messed up the Xia Kingdom. I heard that they were fighting lively. In this way, they still have the leisure to harass me.
Northwest?" Zhao Zhen clapped his hands and laughed.
Su Jin whispered: "I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed, it's just a heartache."
Zhao Zhen said: "That's why I want to tell you the secret letter of Yelv Zongzhen today because the Xia Kingdom cannot protect itself now. Do you know what Yelvzongzhen said in the letter?"
Without waiting for anyone to answer, Zhao Zhen said: "He is here to invite me to jointly send troops to destroy the Xia Kingdom. Haha, this time is quite suitable."
Everyone was shocked. Su Jin frowned and asked, "What does the Emperor think of this matter?"
Zhao Zhen smiled and said: "I think it is feasible. Now that Xia is in civil strife and its national power is weak, it is a good time to destroy them. Yelu Zong's real proposal has been brought to my mind."
Du Yan also said excitedly: "It is true. The two countries sending troops together will be a devastating force. The Xia Kingdom will definitely fight back. Finally, we can let out a bad breath. The Western thieves have been harassing us for so many years. This time Yuan Hao is dead."
, let’s destroy their country again and let the Dangxiang clan disappear forever.”
Zhao Zhen looked at Yan Shu and Xia Song and said, "Does Xiang Yan and Xia Aiqing think the timing is okay?"
Xia Song said: "The timing is absolutely right. If we can really unite and send out troops, the Xia Kingdom will be destroyed."
Yan Shu said: "But Di Qing is leading an army of 150,000 to attack Nong Zhigao. Is it appropriate to send troops at this time?"
Zhao Zhen chuckled and said: "It is precisely because of the concern in the south that I feel that it is best to join forces and send troops together. If we cannot use troops in two places, why should I join forces with the Liao people?"
Yan Shu nodded and said: "Yes, but the matter of sending troops is not something to be said casually. You should ask the northwest envoy Su for his opinion on these matters. What is the current situation of the troops in the northwest, whether the food and pay are sufficient, and whether they are suitable for war. He has the best say.
right."
Zhao Zhen smiled and said: "This is one of the reasons why I called Su Aiqing back for discussion. You all know the other reason."
Yan Shu looked at Su Jin with a smile and said: "Congratulations, Mr. Su. The emperor called you back to Beijing this time to give you a promotion. More than ten days ago, the emperor mentioned this matter to my old husband, Privy Du Xia, and the three of me also fully supported it.
, the emperor wants to appoint you as Deputy Privy Envoy and Minister of Household Affairs, and you will be in charge of the four northwest roads. The emperor and all your lords are very kind to you."
Su Jin was stunned. Zhao Zhen had promoted him again. Every time he was promoted, it was accompanied by an exploitation by Zhao Zhen. This time he was promoted to deputy privy envoy and was given the title of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He didn't know how much blood he would have to shed.
Already.
"Master Su, why don't you thank me?" Xia Song said with a smile. After all, Su Jin is also his son-in-law. Since the last time Su Jin protected him, he did not disclose the evidence that he framed Fu Bi. Xia Song did not say it on the surface, but in his heart
I was really grateful. The little tail was held in Su Jin's hand. Su Jin still let him go. This was because he thought that he was his father-in-law. Although Xia Song still disliked Su Jin, he would never be like him again.
It was almost too late to risk death as before, because when Xia Siling went home to visit Xia Song yesterday after Xia Siling returned to Beijing, Xia Song had already learned that Xia Siling was four months pregnant.
It cannot be the same as before.
Su Jin smacked his lips and said: "This, the emperor has favored you, but I feel that it is difficult for me to do the job. I am already very busy with the affairs of the Northwest Fourth Road, let alone the affairs of the Privy Council and the Deputy Envoy's Household Department. I accept your wishes, but
I can’t get promoted anymore.”
Zhao Zhen said in astonishment: "Is Su Aiqing afraid that others will gossip? Your official position has indeed been promoted faster, but you deserve it. With your merits, who will gossip?"
Yan Shu also said: "Yes, whoever is not convinced, ask him not to receive any relief from the imperial court within three years, and then he can speak after he has fed millions of people in the four northwest areas."
Xia Song also said: "What's more, although the affairs of the Xia Kingdom were intentional, the result was that our mortal enemy of the Song Dynasty, Li Yuanhao, was crowned the leader. Now that we have the opportunity to destroy all the Western bandits, who can achieve such a great achievement?"
Su Jin sighed and said, "After Mr. Xia said this, I felt even more reluctant to accept the official position, because regarding the invitation of the Liao State to send troops to exterminate Xia, my view is exactly opposite to that of the emperor and your lords. I think this matter is definitely
Not feasible."
Zhao Zhen and the other three people were all surprised. At such a good time, Su Jin came to sing the opposite, but they didn't know what he had in mind.[