Although there were some limericks, the official was very pleased to hear Zhang Yue's words. He and Zhang Yue have always been of the same mind on this matter.
However, the official asked again: "How will the Liao envoy respond if he comes? I can promise to return Yelu Yixin to the Khitan, but why can't we discuss the matter of Liangzhou?"
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, everything in the world is divided into whether you dare or not and whether you can do it. This matter is about whether you dare or not, not whether you can do it or not."
"Withdrawing from Liangzhou is the bottom line of this dynasty. It is absolutely impossible for the Liao Kingdom to give up Liangzhou, which they won through hard work, just by opening their mouths."
"But you can't agree to return it to Yelu Yixin easily."
Zhang Yue talked with the official for a while and could see that the other party's doubts were still there.
Eighty years have passed since the Chanyuan Alliance, and the Song Dynasty still fears the Liao like a tiger, and has maintained a conciliatory attitude in the face of the Liao's two Qingli increases in coins and the intimidation of force by the Xining demarcation.
Of course, in the historical Xining demarcation in another time and space, the Song Dynasty was forced to cede five to six hundred miles of land.
When Zhang Yue negotiated with Liao, they also gave in slightly.
Even the officials are like this in this matter, and the ministers below may have many opponents.
…
Outside Gyeongju Castle.
Han Zhen, wearing a plain robe and accompanied by three hundred sergeants, was preparing to go to Bianjing.
The six-route commander who used to be so majestic in the past was a little deserted today. The only person seeing him off in Gyeongju City was Xu Xi.
Xu Xi held Han Zhen's horse and cried silently: "Your Majesty transfers the Duke to the capital because you don't know his loyalty? I'm really sorry."
Han Zhen said: "It doesn't matter, as long as you and I have the ambition to repay the country. Although Weizhou's defeat was unexpected, it is also reasonable."
Han Zhen sighed: "It's true that I don't know how to be an official, but the two of you are even more incompetent. You are in the Privy Council, and you will still listen to the announcement under Shen Cunzhong in the future. How can you come to see me off? This is not to offend him.
Anger?"
Xu Xi said: "Don't be afraid of lower officials."
Han Zhen laughed when he heard this and said: "Han is not wrong about the person, you are really a man. Is it possible that His Majesty and Zhang Xiu appreciate you so much."
While he was talking, several horses came galloping towards him, and the first one to come was none other than Zhang Gen.
When he met Zhang Gen, Han Zhen was a little surprised. When he saw Zhang Gen dismount and salute him, he asked solemnly: "What are you doing here?"
Zhang Gen said: "Zhang has been under the rule of Han Gong for two years, and he has been taken care of by Han Gong, so he came to see him off in person!"
Han Zhen sneered and asked: "You ordered someone to secretly send the news to the capital about the defeat of Weizhou."
Zhang Gen said: "Yes."
Han Zhen sneered and said, "I knew it. Otherwise, if I had covered it up, how could the imperial court have ordered Shen Kuo to take over my military power within twenty days? I was really caught off guard."
"What a great Zhang Eryanei, you have pretended to be submissive in front of me very well these past six months."
It was indeed Zhang Gen who reported Han Zhen's defeat at Weizhou to the capital in time. Otherwise, if it had been half a month later and Han Zhen had arranged his rhetoric and channeled powerful people in the court, the result might not have been like this.
Zhang Gen heard this and said sadly: "Gen has been taught by the Prime Minister for the past two years and has learned a lot. I send you off today to express my gratitude."
Han Zhen waved his hand and said, "What does this mean? I didn't really teach you."
After saying that, Han Zhen led the cavalry towards Bianjing.
Zhang Gen and Xu Xi both watched Han Zhen go away. Xu Xi said to Zhang Gen: "Zhang Erlang is really great. In the past six months, I have seen you become more decisive and sharp in doing things. This time I got rid of your father again."
Prime Minister Han."
"It's really rare for you to be so tolerant and decisive at your age. Prime Minister Han is such a subtle person, and you can actually deliver the news right under his nose."
Zhang Gen said: "Uncle Xu was so complimentary."
"In the past two years when I was under the curtain, I often thought about whether to go back to Bianjing. Fortunately, Uncle Xu took care of me and gave me guidance, otherwise I would have been unable to make it."
Zhang Gen said this with emotion, Xu Xi was indeed very good to him.
Xu Xi said calmly: "Your father is my benefactor. It is natural for me to take care of you. There is no need to thank me."
Zhang Gen smiled bitterly and said: "So I impeached Prime Minister Han and ordered him to be dismissed from office. As for Uncle Xu, you also blamed me and dad, right?"
Xu Xi said: "Your father has been kind to me, and I don't dare to complain. As for the defeat of Han Gong Weizhou, it was because he didn't listen to me and insisted on going his own way."
"It has been my long-cherished wish to go out from Hengshan to wipe out the party, but your father has never allowed it, so I have to ask Xianggong Han. Forget it, it is useless to talk about it at this point. Tomorrow I will bid farewell to Xianggong Shen and return to the center."
Zhang Gen said: "Why did Uncle Xu leave? I think after the defeat of Weizhou, the Liao Kingdom is ready to make a comeback and is quite likely to come back in a big way. Mr. Shen is just asking for someone like you who is familiar with military affairs to be in charge."
"
Xu Xi hesitated slightly when he heard this, and then said: "Shen Cunzhong and I don't get along."
Xu Xi indeed looked down upon Shen Kuo, feeling that he was a bit useless and had no position.
"Uncle Xu... I have something to ask you?" Zhang Gen said, "If Dang Xiang comes back, where will he attack?"
Xu Xi heard this and said: "If Dangxiang comes back, I predict that he will attack Pingxia, then Lanzhou, and then Liangzhou!"
Zhang Gen said: "Since Uncle Xu has this opinion, why don't you go to Huanzhou with me to talk to Prime Minister Shen about it?"
"this……"
Zhang Gen saw Xu Xi's intention and immediately ordered to his left and right: "Get ready! Let's go to Huanzhou immediately!"
He turned to Zhang Gen and said, "Uncle Xu, everything is about national affairs."
The two traveled together for a day and night to reach Huanzhou.
But Shen Kuo was worried. After he took over the Privy Council, all the other officials disappeared except Xu Xi.
After inquiring, I learned that Xu Xi personally went to Qingzhou to see Han Zhen off.
Shen Kuo was furious after hearing this. Han Zhen went to Beijing without telling him, which made him very angry. Xu Xi went to Qingzhou to see Han Zhen off without even saying hello, which really showed that he did not take him as the new Privy Councilor of Knowledge and Action seriously.
Although Shen Kuo behaved like an engineering boss, he also had the extremely petty side of a scholar when dealing with people.
After hearing that his subordinates reported Xu Xi's return, Shen Kuo was preparing to punish him for taking action without notification.
The subordinate whispered: "It was Zhang Eryamen who accompanied Xu Xi back."
Shen Kuo was stunned after hearing this and thought, what kind of scene is this? Could it be Xiao He chasing Han Xin under the moon?
At this time, Zhang Gen had arrived at the festival hall first, and Shen Kuo saw Zhang Gen with a smile on his face, looking like a gentle and loving elder.
Shen Kuo was overjoyed when Zhang Gen said a few words to Shen Kuo after he entered. He immediately summoned Xu Xi and treated him very warmly.
…
New Year's Day for the fifth year of Yuanfeng.
As usual, the Liao State and Dangxiang sent envoys to congratulate Zhengdan to the Song Dynasty to congratulate the emperor.
However, this time neither the Liao Kingdom nor Dangxiang sent an envoy to congratulate Zhengdan. Dangxiang did not send an envoy to congratulate Zhengdan many times due to the uncertain war with the Song Dynasty. This is not surprising, but it has been so many years since the Liao Kingdom sent an envoy to congratulate Zhengdan.
first.
What was unexpected was that Ali Gu sent an envoy to the Song Dynasty to congratulate him and asked the Song Dynasty to make him the king of Liangzhou.
On the contrary, more than ten days later, Xiao Derang arrived in Bianjing again with the credentials of the Liao Kingdom.
The court demanded that the Song Dynasty give up Liangzhou, Lanzhou and other areas that invaded Dangxiang and return it to Yelu Yixin, otherwise the alliance between the two countries would be broken.
At this time, the newly appointed Privy Councilors Shen Kuo and Xu Xi jointly spoke.
Dangxiang has recently heard that the Han people have occupied Tiandu Mountain and the Huluchuan River line, and the fields for singing and entertainment have been occupied by the Han family. They also say that they are taking away my job. Seeing this power, they will fight for it with all their strength.
After my visit to Liangzhou, although the Western bandits were in decline, there were still more than 100,000 elite soldiers in the battle at Weizhou. They attacked in separate groups, with smart armor and staff, and strict discipline. They must not be trapped and incompetent.
I am afraid that I may have made some mistakes, so I will inform you first. If in two years the grain in the frontier fortress is ripe and the border towns are well built, we will not be afraid of the party coming to fight for it. Please ask Xihe Road to send troops to respond to my Jingyuan Road at any time. At the same time, Hedong and Hebei are also
We must be prepared for the Liao Kingdom to attack.
When they heard that the Liao Kingdom and Dangxiang wanted to send troops to China simultaneously, all the ministers in the DPRK and the Central Government couldn't help being frightened when they heard that the Liao Kingdom wanted to start a war. Most of the courtiers held the view of peace and planned to return Liangzhou to Dangxiang and Yelu to the Liao Kingdom.