Chapter 294 The country is rich and the people are strong
For me, the highlight of December is to meet with the foreign ministers who returned to Lin'an to report on their duties. At the end of last year, because the late Emperor Lizong had just passed away, and I had just ascended the throne, my eyesight was dark, so I just received it as a courtesy. They went through the motions and the time was very short. They couldn't figure out the abilities of each person. They couldn't even remember the faces and names of the ministers.
Over the past year, I am changing. My dynasty is also changing. It is developing for the better. Of course, the battle between Song Dynasty and Mongolia is getting closer. According to my will, this year's work report meeting was arranged by the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites. In China, I personally presided over only the debriefing meetings of various officials at the junction of the two countries, which were mainly military. As for the debriefing meetings of the inland districts, it was left to the Government Administration Council. Regarding the content of the meeting, I gave Wen Tianxiang They have two instructions. One is to vigorously develop the local economy and agriculture and advocate scientific and technological revolution. The other is to unremittingly fight corruption and promote integrity and put people's livelihood first.
On the 15th day of the twelfth lunar month, I met in the Daqing Hall of the Imperial Palace all the ministers from other regions who came to Beijing to report on their duties. Most of these ministers were the top military and political ministers of various provinces. Since I had carefully read the detailed information provided by the Ministry of Civil Affairs in advance, I had no idea about these ministers. Have a basic understanding of the officials’ situation.
"See the Emperor. Long live the Emperor. Long live the Emperor."
"Everyone loves you, please forgive me."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The huge hall suddenly seemed to become crowded. The additional fifty or sixty people were all standing in the middle of the hall, waiting for my reception and instructions.
Ye Mengding, the Minister of Civil Affairs, first introduced these ministers to me one by one. Except for officials from various war zones and Fujian Province, I basically had no impression of other officials. So I talked a little more with these ministers. But They are nothing more than high-sounding words that encourage them to serve well as officials and work hard for the rejuvenation of our country.
"Your Majesty, please give me instructions." Ma Tingluan reported after seeing Ye Mengding finish his introduction.
"Dear dear ministers, in recent months, the imperial court has successively introduced a series of reform measures. These measures involve all aspects of our country. Some are to combat corruption and promote integrity. Some are to promote economic development in various places. There are also rural land reforms. In terms of military matters, you should combine this series of measures with the actual conditions of your own region and formulate local development directions and goals based on the place, time, and people. I once said that the world will rise and fall. Everyone has a responsibility. You all are the pillars of our government, so you should shoulder the important task of revitalizing our government. You are all the heads of military and political affairs in various places. Every move you make represents the court. It represents me. .It can be said that you are a role model for officials at all levels. You can also be said to be a role model for the common people."
"To a large extent, it can be said that the quality of a region completely depends on the top leaders of the region. The choice of good, evil, loyal and traitor is actually very simple. It just depends on your thoughts. Is it people-oriented or people-oriented? Is it self-centered? Do you care about the people? Or do you only know yourself? I believe that everyone will choose good thoughts. After all, people are inherently good in nature. What do you think?"
"The emperor is wise and all ministers will obey the holy will."
"Well, let me talk about the key issues of our government next year. The first is the development of the economy and agriculture in various places. This is the basis for the stability of our government. Everyone knows that people know the etiquette. Only when the people have enough food and clothing can they live and work in peace and contentment. .This is also the prerequisite for a country to be prosperous and the people to be strong. The second is the development of science and technology. My dear friends, many of you may not understand the meaning of science and technology. It doesn’t matter. I tell you that the development of science and technology will bring about earth-shaking changes in people’s lives. The benefits of changes are huge, both for the country and the people. So next year I will carry out a scientific and technological revolution. You will know the specific details when I report to the Government Affairs Council. The third one is about fighting corruption. This It is a long-term national policy, and it will become more and more strict. As long as you serve as an official in our government, you must be prepared. You must be prepared to dedicate yourself. You must be prepared to sacrifice your life for our government at all times. Instead of being like before, officials can If you are superior to others, you can enjoy yourself as much as you want. From now on, those who are not mentally prepared for this, I think they should not be officials. I said it well to Fan Zhongyan: "Be worried about the world's worries first, and be happy after the world's happiness." This sentence can be used as a guideline for officials. Starting next year, the imperial court will gradually establish Independent Commission Against Corruption in various places to supervise officials in various places."
"The last point is about the border areas. That is military war. I will discuss this with you in detail. Other specific matters will be explained to you by the Government Administration Council."
"Dear dear friends, a rich country and a poor people will make the people complain, which will lead to social unrest. A poor country and a rich people will give hostile countries an opportunity to take advantage. Therefore, the only right way is to have a rich country and a strong people. This is the policy of our government. National policy. The country is prosperous and the people are strong. Okay. That’s it for today’s court meeting. Now, all dear friends, please go to the Government Affairs Council to participate in the work report meeting held by the Government Affairs Council, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Zhongshu Province. Tomorrow afternoon, I will visit the Military Council and the border in person. The various war zones in the land discuss relevant military affairs."
The afternoon debriefing meeting was hosted by Wen Tianxiang, an academician of the Government Affairs Council. This can be regarded as a signal. It means that the Government Affairs Council has surpassed the Zhongshu Province. Wen Tianxiang is very likely to become the first president of the Government Affairs Council.
The sun shines in the imperial study. Although the sunshine in winter is not as bright as spring or as scorching in summer, it brings people warmth, hope for spring, and hope for the future in the cold winter. hope.
I lay down in front of the window and read a book for a while. Then I closed my eyes and quietly enjoyed the sunbathing in this winter.
"Officials, Mr. Yuan and Mr. Lu would like to see you." Xiao Qi's voice sounded at some point.
"Xuan."
"Your Majesty, since November, the Longya Intelligence Department has conducted an unannounced visit to the defense of Yangzhou, Xiangyang and other forward theaters. A huge problem has been discovered." Lu Xiufu said worriedly as soon as he entered the room. "Your Majesty, please take a look. This is the military map of Xiangyang. Here, here, and here, there are all settlements set up by the Mongols. These settlements are connected to the "Mutual Market" (the recognized market at the junction of the two countries), and there are fortification walls built inside. The situation is encircling. If the Mongols advance to Xiangfan, Xiangyang and Fancheng will become two dead cities. What's even more frightening is that they will be isolated from our country and fall into an extremely unfavorable situation. This Lord Lu Wendulu is really confused."
"It's more than just confusion. From my point of view, this is no different from betraying the country." Yuan Ji also said angrily.
Historically, Lu Wende was lucky. He believed that the Mongolian attack route was still in Sichuan and would not choose Xiangfan as the breakthrough point. Therefore, he accepted the bribe from the Mongols and allowed them to set up a hunting ground around Xiangfan. In 1267, the Mongolian army was encircled. Xiang, Fan (now merged into Xiangyang, Hubei Province). Wen De regretted deeply. He sighed and said: "I am the one who harmed the country."
I was also angry at that time. I slammed my palms on the table: "Damn Lu Wende. He has done a lot of harm to people. How dare you do such a thing. There are only Mongolians around here. I can't help you. Xiangyang How can a lonely city last long?"
Yuan Ji and others rarely see me get angry. And this is the first time I use foul language. I am stunned for a moment. I don’t know why. However, Xiao Qi still maintains a bit of calm: "The officials have calmed down. The Mongols have not invaded our country. There will be time to correct it."
After I sat down, I took a big sip of tea and said, "This guy Lu Wende really deserves a beating."
Xiaoqi poured me tea. He also poured a cup for each of Yuan Ji and Lu Xiufu. He said: "Sir, Mr. Lu, please."
I kept tapping my fingers on the table. I thought to myself: Should I order Lu Wende to destroy those quarries now? In this way, although the danger of siege around Xiangyang can be quickly relieved, it will be a breach of trust in the world. The Mongols and the Lu Wende has an agreement, and Lu Wende signed it on behalf of the imperial court. If I unilaterally tear it up, it would give the Mongols a good reason to go south.
Yuan Ji and Lu Xiufu were drinking tea respectively. Seeing that I was angry, they did not dare to disturb me.
"Junshi, what do you think?"
Lu Xiufu said: "Your Majesty, according to the understanding of the Longya Intelligence Department, the agreement signed by Lu Wende and the Mongols is for five years. It is impossible to change the agreement in a reasonable way. I believe that our court does not need to To implement this agreement, we will refuse to recognize the agreement on the grounds that Lu Wende signed a contract with the Mongols privately without notifying the court and forced the Mongols to evacuate."
"What if the Mongols don't withdraw?"
Lu Xiufu said without hesitation: "Then the only solution is to start a war."
"Start the war. Start the war now. What are my chances of winning?"
"Your Majesty, the chances of winning are very slim. But I think the Mongols also have little chance of winning."
"Well, if we start a war at this time, neither side has a chance of winning. It depends on each other's adaptability." I thought for a while and said, "Our army is at a disadvantage."
When both armies are unprepared, once an encounter occurs, it depends on the personal abilities of the soldiers on both sides. Judging from the current combat strength, the Mongolian cavalry's individual combat capabilities undoubtedly have the upper hand.
Yuan Ji said: "Your Majesty is right. At present, our army is not the enemy of Mongolia, so it is not suitable to start a war."
I got up and walked around the room several times. I quickly searched for the classic battles of later generations in my mind. Suddenly a plan came up. I returned to my desk and looked at the Xiangfan military map carefully. I thought to myself: "Surround. Counterattack." Encirclement. That's right. Since the Mongols intend to encircle Xiangfan with a fortress, then I will simply use Xiangfan as a bait to encircle and counter-encircle. Then encircle the point to bring reinforcements. Concentrate the military force to fight a war of annihilation against the Mongols in Xiangfan. .If it is feasible, the effective strength of the Mongolian army can be eliminated. This will undoubtedly be another Huaihai battle."
Xiangfan in history can be defended for several years even if I fight alone. If I prepare in advance and equip myself with firearms, I can definitely hold off the Mongolian army in Xiangfan.