Chapter 1,228 Strategies for War and Defense (Two updates in one)
Chapter 1236 Strategies for War and Defense (Two updates combined into one)
The fifth year of Yuanfeng.
Bianjing was still the same, noisy until midnight until almost dawn, when they rested for a while.
This year's New Year's Eve, although there were no party items and the Khitan delegation came to congratulate the people, the people of Bianjing still had a lively time.
Nowadays, the most talked about thing among the people in the market is the stock price of Xihe Exchange, which skyrocketed after the recapture of Liangzhou. After opening up the Hexi Corridor, Beijibu from the Song Dynasty can be directly sold to the Western Regions. The Xihe Road Exchange also
Opened directly in Liangzhou.
After the salt banknotes were bound to salt and bejib, the currency value continued to rise.
Due to the rise in salt banknotes, Jiaozi and stocks, the people of Bianjing had a good year.
During the Chinese New Year, the textile factories in Qinzhou, Xizhou, and Yongxing Prefecture did not stop work, and they were all rushing to weave beji cloth. The new clothes that children and adults in Bianjing put on during the New Year also began to use beji cloth.
of material.
The popularity of bejib has further stabilized the currency value of salt notes and jiaozi. Nowadays, people in Beijing make up half of their transactions with cash, and salt notes and jiaozi also account for half. In Shaanxi, Xihe and other places that lack cash, salt
Chao and Jiaozi are used more.
Zhang Yue got up early, and had already laid out newspapers and various tabloids on the breakfast table.
The imperial newspaper was published by the imperial court, while the various tabloids were published by the private sector.
Originally, the tabloids contained palace gossip and what officials had heard. In order to attract people's attention, the contents of the tabloids were all expressed in the first person, and even included the expressions and inner activities of the persons involved.
As a historian and very popular among the people, Zhang Yue often read about himself in folk tabloids. Whenever he saw those folk self-media imitating the tone of talking to the emperor, the queen mother and officials, Zhang Yue read with gusto.
.
Even though he was working in the court and was restricted in everything, in the eyes of tabloid writers he was like a Kong Ming-like existence. For example, when officials asked him to serve as prime minister, Zhang Yue read seven or eight versions of this from tabloids.
Although the content is written randomly, it is really refreshing to read the content that must have profound meaning when the Prime Minister does this.
Bianjing's folk operas are developed, and the interpretations and scripts of various folk tales, such as Journey to the West, Water Margin, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, etc., were actually not completed in the Ming Dynasty. Many of their story plots were borrowed from the Song and Yuan Dynasties.
The storybook was finally compiled by the authors in the Ming Dynasty.
Zhang Yue thought that his story would be adapted by tabloids and appear in future dramas.
Of course, as Bianjing's economy has developed in recent years, the tabloids have published a lot more salt money exchanges and stocks. Bejib's content has become a financial reading material. This is also a way for Zhang Yue to understand the public sentiment in Bianjing.
However, a lot of the content in tabloids is absurd, and some people even use tabloids to frame political opponents or write based on their own preferences, likes and dislikes.
Many officials advised Zhang Yue to ban it, but he did not do so. As long as he did not criticize the government or criticize his own governance, Zhang Yue always turned a blind eye to this.
The maid at home brought various kinds of preserves, fruit plates, sour and salty snacks, butcher shops, etc. Zhang Yue brought a bowl of thick porridge and chewed it slowly. He ate the porridge and read the newspapers and tabloids.
The more I think about the life of a clerk in Qingshui Yamen. This is also the first-class life that I envied when I was outside the system.
The same is true for the people of Bianjing. They have three meals a day and four seasons of food and clothing. They have some money to prepare for emergencies. They know that there are officials and prime ministers. When they wake up tomorrow, the government will continue to follow the original direction. There will be no warlord turmoil or foreign invasion in the Five Dynasties.
, peaceful days can be expected.
Dividends can be obtained from stocks every year. Whether they are hard-working and frugal people or ambitious speculators, they can see hope for the future in the city of Bianjing.
When traveling, you can ride on carriages and horses, listen to music on the hook, admire the lanterns at Daxiangguo Temple, watch various arts in the tile house, and go shopping in the Royal Street to eat.
The people all pursue life and love life. It would be better if there is no possibility of war with Dangxiang and Khitan.
Soon Zhang Cheng and Guo Xuan also came to have breakfast after finishing their morning classes. They both had to take the Jinshi examination this year.
Although Zhang Cheng said that the official family granted him a Jinshi status, Zhang Yue set the same rules for him as his brother Zhang Gen. He was not allowed to become an official without a Jinshi status. As for Guo Xuan, he is currently in the middle school of Taixue.
Have the qualification to be exempted from the provincial examination.
However, Guo Xuan successfully passed the Kaifeng Mansion Examination and participated in this year's Jinshi Examination together with Zhang Sanyanei.
Zhang Cheng doesn't have the ambition of his elder brother. He is one of those who only works hard after being pushed. He has always been sloppy in his homework since he was a child. This makes Seventeenth Mother, who is expecting her husband to become a dragon, and her son to become a dragon, very anxious.
Later, Seventeen Niang saw Guo Xuan's virtue of being studious and tireless, so she came up with a plan and asked Guo Xuan to accompany Zhang Cheng in studying. Zhang Cheng didn't want to work hard at all, but seeing Guo Xuan working so hard, he felt ashamed and had no choice but to study hard.
Zhang Yue saw Qi Niang's method and was so impressed that he fell to the ground.
With Guo Xuan reading by his side, the two of them couldn't help but chase each other. It really reminded Zhang Yue of the days when he and his senior brother were studying together in the mountains. They were also fighting for time and were afraid of reading too few books.
That's how the two brothers used to chase each other.
Although Zhang Cheng often fishes in his studies and does not work hard enough to make progress, Zhang Yue feels very satisfied with the character of Guo Xuan and Zhang Cheng. Looking at their articles again, they have indeed improved a lot compared to before. Zhang Yue said happily: "
A diligent family will prosper, and a diligent person will be healthy. If you are diligent and healthy, your family will prosper. Your articles have indeed made progress, and I am happy for my senior brother."
"Both of you, please remember that whether it's learning or doing things in the future, you must be diligent."
Guo Xuan knew that Zhang Yue treated him as his own nephew, so he immediately stood up and thanked him.
For Zhang Yue, Guo Xuan had a huge aura in his heart. He admired Zhang Yue so much that he remembered every word in his heart.
Zhang Yue was telling the truth. Scholars like Guo Lin and Guo Xuan, who were diligent, studious, frugal and honest, would sooner or later prosper their families. Seeing that Senior Brother Guo had such a good son, Zhang Yue was also happy for him.
…
Dutingyi.
Liao Embassy.
At this moment, Linya Xiao Derang of the Liao Kingdom and his team of envoys from the Liao Kingdom are stationed here.
Song and Liao treated each other's envoys in the same way. Except for official receptions, each other's envoys were not allowed to go out privately to prevent them from secretly snooping for information.
The last time Xiao Derang was during the great victory in Liangzhou, he went out privately to inquire about the "ambition of ZTE" from several scholars, and then he learned that the Song Dynasty had the ambition to conquer the homeland of the Han and Tang Dynasties.
Dutingyi also has a history. When Zhu Wen wanted to kill Li Keyong, he set a fire in Dutingyi (then called Shangyuanyi) where the other party was staying. Li Keyong escaped death, and finally the two sides formed a feud.
, fighting each other for decades.
In addition to Dutingyi, this time Dangxiang also sent envoys to the Song Dynasty later than the Liao Kingdom.
Although the two sides did not come together and seemed to have their own purposes, in fact the Song Dynasty also knew it well, which meant that the two countries were exerting pressure at the same time. In addition to the envoys from the Liao Kingdom and Dangxiang, there were also people from the Qing and Tang Dynasties in the Tongwen Hall at the moment.
Envoys, there are also envoys from Ali Gu in Huaiyuan Station.
Zhang Yue also had ulterior motives for keeping them here.
Among all the post houses, the Duting Post House that entertained the Liao Kingdom had the highest standards. The Liao Kingdom also came frequently, and it was a common practice to congratulate the leaders of the two countries on the first day of the year, their birthdays, and on the winter solstice every year.
Now Cai Jing and Chen Guan, as accompanying envoys, came to Dutingyi and Dutingxiyi respectively to discuss with the envoys from the Liao Kingdom and Dangxiang who came this time, and then reported to Zhang Yue who had just arrived in the West Hall of Zhongshu.
Cai Jing said to Zhang Yue: "Prime Minister Liao's envoy said that Dangxiang felt uneasy after he lost his life and asked Liao for help many times. Yelu Hongji, the leader of the Liao Kingdom, also suspected that Song Dynasty also had the ambition to regain Youyan.'
"
"The official replied at that time, 'The Liao Kingdom is in trouble because of an accident. The land of Liangzhou was taken by Cao Zhongshou, the governor of the Yijun Army, who asked me for help. In fact, there is no need to go into it at all. The two countries are in peace with each other.
.'"
"The Liao envoy also said, 'Today the Liao Kingdom and Dangxiang are related by marriage, and the two families are like one family. In this way, we are informing the Xia Kingdom that they must take back Liangzhou and return the territory they captured.'"
"The official replied that although Dangxiang and the Liao Kingdom are related by marriage, they are divided into ministers in this dynasty. Since Li Jiqian, the surnames given by the founding of the country are all out of favor to this dynasty. The territory of Dangxiang is also the prefectures and counties of this dynasty.
The land should be returned to the walled city? This is our land, so why should we return it?"
Zhang Yue was very satisfied with Cai Jing's answer and said: "What you said is very consistent with the national style."
Zhang Yue asked Cai Jing: "What do you think if you don't agree to the Liao envoy?"
Cai Jing said: "The Liao people came here to make terms in advance. If they really want to fight, they will have to wait until autumn."
Then Chen Guan reported: "Dangxiang's envoy said that the Eastern Dynasty invaded the land, captured Liangzhou, and built a wall near the strategic point. This is harmful to the reconciliation between the two families. Please return the soldiers and horses and destroy the walled city.
, return all the invaded territory, otherwise we must raise troops to take it back."
"When I asked about other questions, the Dangxiang envoy did not answer the question and did not discuss the payment. I wonder if he was following the attitude of the Liao envoy?"
Zhang Yue said: "What is the attitude of the envoy Dangxiang? Is he really determined?"
Chen Guandao: "The lower official thinks that Dangxiang has said these words many times since the year of Xining, but this time the Khitan and Dangxiang jointly sent envoys, so they should not be ignored. As Cai Xueshi said just now, it is expected that there will be no troops in the spring and summer.
, but we do have to take precautions against autumn.”
Cai Jing was on both sides of the aisle between Wang Gui and Zhang Yue, and now he has reached the highest official rank in the Bachelor's Academy.
Zhang Yue said: "This time the Khitan party and the two countries are coming together, the Khitan's attitude is indeed different from when Xiao Xilai came to fight for the territory."
"You two, please keep quiet for now. I'll report it to the Emperor for further discussion."
After Cai Jing and Chen Guan left, Zhang Yue got up and went to see the emperor.
At this moment, Wang Gui, Cai Que, Li Qingchen and Fan Chunren of the Zhijianyuan and other officials were discussing matters in the East Hall of Zhongshu. Li Qingchen was appointed as the Zhigongju for the Spring Provincial Examination.
Fan Chunren said: "Prime Minister, the reason why I opposed the reform at first was because I was afraid that Your Majesty and Wang Anshi would be the same person. Now I oppose war with the Liao Kingdom and Dangxiang, and the same is true."
"In recent years, the Prime Minister of the History Museum has been building fortresses, although it was a plan to trap the enemy. However, to transport wealth and crops and cut grain, it was inevitable to hire armor and hire people to ride on them. This does not cost money. This cost the imperial court's financial resources. Now it is time to rest for the people.
The best policy is to love and support public and private affairs."
"This dynasty has been on good terms with the Liao Kingdom for eighty years, and the people of the two families have not heard of war for a long time. Is it worth losing this alliance for the sake of a Liangzhou city and a Yelu Yixin?"
When Wang Gui heard what Fan Chunren said, he just smiled and said nothing. When Fan Chunren saw that Wang Gui was silent, he said anxiously: "This is not just my words, but the opinions of many ministers."
"I heard that Mr. Zhao Wen is a gentleman. Although many dynasties did not speak, he did not slander him. But I wonder who else will be in the dynasty after Mr. Feng is demoted?"
Cai Que frowned and said, "What do you mean?"
Fan Chunren glanced at Cai Que and said very straightforwardly: "My official is saying that since Feng Xianggong left, no one in the two mansions dares to disagree with Zhang Xianggong."
As soon as these words came out, Cai Que's face suddenly darkened, and even Wang Gui was displeased.
However, everyone knows that Fan Chunren is a loyal and upright person. As the second son of Fan Zhongyan, he always says what he says. In recent years, Wang Anshi, Fu Bi, Ouyang Xiu, Xue Xiang, Wang Gui and other ministers in the dynasty have not been criticized by him. Even
The two emperors Yingzong and today's emperor were also scolded by him.
The officials couldn't stand him and asked him to know his place.
Fan Chunren always put the people first in every place he served. When he was the governor of Qingzhou, he saw that the people were in famine, so he opened the Changping Granary to provide relief. Others advised him not to do so. He said that the emperor would blame it and I would bear it.
When the officials found out, they sent people to investigate him. The local people were afraid that he would be caught, so they sent the grain back day and night and settled the accounts.
During his tenure in Qizhou, he also lenient punishments and laws, loved and cherished the people, and maintained great local governance. In the end, Fan Chunren's political performance was so good that he was called back by the court.
Wang Gui had the means to control officials all over the world, but he had no way of controlling such an upright official, so he had no choice but to smile and say, "What Mr. Fan said is absolutely true. You should go back first!"
Fan Chunren stood up to say goodbye, and Wang Gui also stood up and sent Fan Chunren out. The Zhongshu officials were also respectful and polite to Fan Chunren, and did not dare to neglect him at all.
As the prime minister, Wang Gui was too respectful when escorting officials out, but he found his way to the steps and said to the people around him: "I only respect Wen Zhenggong."
Everyone sat down again, and Li Qingchen said: "Recently, the ministers have indeed been talking about it. The Minister of History has been arranging the emperor's border affairs for many years, which is a self-consolidation plan. In the past, with the Qing and Tang Dynasties, Dang Xiang could still do it. What if the Liao Dynasty Dang Xiang came together?
?”
"A plan to consolidate ourselves?" Wang Gui shook his head and said, "None of us officials can accomplish anything without His Majesty's trust. What about self-improvement?"
"As long as you can win, it's right."
Li Qingchen said: "But the Khitan has strong soldiers and horses. Emperor Taizong and Zhenzong could not win back then, so how can they win now? Not to mention the addition of a party item. I'm afraid that the historian will go his own way."
Cai Quedao said: "The acquisition of Liangzhou is indeed the political power that Mr. Shi Guan is extremely proud of. Now that he wants to withdraw from Liangzhou in order to exchange the territory, he is absolutely unwilling. Your Majesty is also unwilling."
Li Qingchen said: "Although Your Majesty is not willing, we are not willing, but the situation is compelling. If Liao and Dangxiang join forces, how can we refuse? How can we risk the safety of the whole world and the country with us?"
"I think your Majesty must have another concern in his heart."
…
In the Jiying Hall, the officials walked around and listened to the reports. Zhang Yue's expressions softened slightly.
"What does Dangxiang Khitan mean?" the official asked.
Zhang Yue said: "As I said before, it is to return the land. Judging from the tightness of the words, I expect that if we don't agree, we will raise troops to go south."
The official said: "I think after Dangxiang went to Liangzhou, there will not be as many as before."
Zhang Yue said: "Now when the imperial court receives a side report, it is said that the people in Yunxi are already weak. If the soldiers and horses retreat, it must be said that this report is true. If the people in Yunxi gather their troops and horses, it is said that this is a random report.
"
"I think that although Westerners are not as good as before, they are not like this."
Zhang Yue's words touched the minds of the officials. The situation on the border is now not good. In order to please the officials, the officials and servants below tried their best to say things that disparaged the party items.
Zhang Yue saw the official's expression and said: "If my prediction is correct, the Liao Kingdom and Dangxiang will join forces to go south in late autumn."
"What can I do?"
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, we must strike first to gain strength. Dang Xiang was willing to negotiate for peace before, but now he is unwilling to negotiate for peace, so we will attack him first. I suggest that we attack him from three sides: Hedong, Fuyan and Jingyuan."
"The most important of the three roads is the Jingyuan Road. Your Majesty, Shen Kuo can gather troops from the Xi, Qin, and Jing roads, and build three strongholds further north to provoke the party to attack!"
After hearing Zhang Yue's words, the officials did not agree and seemed embarrassed.
The official said: "The ministers all said that the Liao Kingdom's proposal must be followed. With the current national strength, it is really difficult to defeat the Khitan party. Although I am not afraid of the Khitan, I do not want to cause this trouble and be attacked on both sides before destroying the party."
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, I thought that the Liao Kingdom had known about it for a long time. Its envoys had asked the Song Dynasty if they had taken Liangzhou and if they had any intention of regaining Youyan. Both of them were the hometowns of the Han and Tang Dynasties. Sooner or later, we would have to deal with the Liao people.
If we fight, your Majesty should not care about the immediate gains and losses, but look at the longer-term victory and defeat. Even if we lose to the Liao people at the moment, it doesn't matter. As long as the two sides win and lose each other, this dynasty can be cheered up."
"If we work together, endure humiliation and work hard, we will be able to strengthen ourselves. What we fear most is that we will give up before the fight even begins."
The official nodded and said, "It's all up to you to control the Liao and the Xia."
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, I have already made arrangements. Su Shi has already set off for Goryeo. As long as we can contact the Khitan Jurchens, we don't need to worry about the rest."
"Liangzhou and Lanzhou have established ten new commanders of the Fan-Han Horse Army. Each commander has a quota of five hundred people."
"In addition, the strategic envoys in Hebei, Hedong and Shaanxi must choose smart and capable commanders..."
The official suddenly asked: "What do you think of Zhang Dun?"
Zhang Yue was stunned for a moment. The official's words were not without purpose. This time Feng Jing passed away, Xue Xiang passed away, and both the Secretary of State and the Privy Council were short of people.
He had already guessed the official's intentions in letting Zhang Dun return to the court to participate in politics, and this time he was testing his own intentions.
Officials said: "Among the court officials who advocated the new law, Wang Anshi, Zhang Dun, Zeng Bu and others were indeed public-minded, while Lu Huiqing, Deng Wan and others were motivated by selfish motives. This is the consensus of both the government and the public."
Zhang Yue said: "Zhang Dun does things out of public interest, but the courtiers talk a lot and he greets people with little courtesy. When getting along with his colleagues, he likes to hurt others with his words."
The official smiled slightly after hearing this. Of course he knew Zhang Dun's character. It was precisely because of Zhang Dun's uprightness that he liked or felt that his officials would be easy to handle.
He likes to understand the character of ministers through their mutual evaluations.
Zhang Yue thought for a while and said: "In terms of Zhang Dun's qualifications, what he gains is his courage, and what he loses is his arbitrariness. I think Zhang Dun's talent can save people from danger, but cannot make them run smoothly; they can be used for their own use.
Don't use it for public use."
"Why can't it be used by the public?" the official asked.
Zhang Yue said: "Those who can be used for their own purposes. If Dun is allowed to take up a position by himself, he will be promoted to that position. If he is made to know the military weapons supervisor, then the military weapons supervisor will be able to rule the country. If your majesty makes him go to the local commander, he will be qualified for the job."
responsibilities."
"But do not use the opinions of others. The governors of the second government should be gentlemen. Zhang Dun cannot take advantage of others, but only does his own job. Those who agree with it will be used, and those who do not agree with it will be dismissed. Those who use it are all disobedient people, then
When a villain comes in, a gentleman stays far away."