After being told by Zhang Yue that he was trying to find a sword by carving a boat or a fish by using a tree, Lu Huiqing and Zhang Yue were already at war with each other.
Zhang Yue understood that the Song Army's chariot warfare was unreliable. The production of chariots and cavalry was only developed during the reign of Qi Jiguang, but at that time the Ming Army was already equipped with a large number of firearms. The level of firearms in the Song Dynasty was just like that.
Historically speaking, Lu Huiqing's idea of using cars to defeat cavalry was correct, but it was too forward-thinking.
Moreover, car-making is a matter for the Ordnance Supervisor, who is the boss of the New Party, and is even more closely related to Lu Huiqing.
Now it was Shen Kuo who was in charge of military weapons. Shen Kuo's ability to obtain this position was closely related to his background in the New Party, but by this time Wang Anshi had begun to hate Shen Kuo.
Because after Wang Anshi resigned as prime minister, Shen Kuo criticized Wang Anshi's Huma method.
Wang Anshi's idea was to abolish the government-run horse herding prisons and let the common people raise horses when there was no land to raise horses in the north.
Shen Kuo criticized this. He said that the horses of the Liao Kingdom all grew up on the grasslands and galloped freely, but the horses raised by Humafa were all kept in captivity in ordinary people's homes. How could the cavalry trained in this way compete with the cavalry of the Liao Kingdom?
Does what Shen Kuo say make sense?
It still makes sense.
But the problem is that before Wang Anshi was dismissed as prime minister, Shen Kuo did not say a word. As soon as Wang Anshi was dismissed as prime minister, Shen Kuo stood up and criticized Hu Mafa.
After that, Shen Kuo was promoted to a bachelor's degree. After Zhang Dun was appointed as the third envoy, he also served as the inspector of military weapons.
At this time, Shen Kuo and Lu Huiqing got very close.
Wang Anshi also understood why Shen Kuo criticized the Hu Ma Law. At the same time, in order to agree with Han Jiang and Zhang Yue, Shen Kuo also put forward the political opinion that the exemption law should not accept the household exemption money.
In the end, Wang Anshi was so angry that he cursed Shen Kuo as a "Ren man". Wang Anshi was a gentleman and had never seen him curse like this, but this incident showed that Shen Kuo went too far.
After Lu Huiqing used Shen Kuo to judge military weapons, he proposed the method of chariot fighting in today's palace meeting, imitating Guan Zhong's method of punishing the people with halberds, so as to supplement the country's war preparation resources.
The intention is self-evident.
But how could Zhang Yue let Lu Huiqing get his wish?
Lu Huiqing counterattacked and said: "Why carve a boat to ask for a sword? When the Liao army attacked Chanzhou with tens of thousands of cavalry during the Jingdezhen period, Li Delong, the general of this dynasty, ordered the soldiers to dig trenches and use dozens of carts as a formation, with the cavalry in the middle to resist. The Liao army could not
Damn, is this also an act of carving a boat and seeking a sword?"
Zhang Yueze said: "Your Majesty, today's chariots are not yesterday's chariots. In the Spring and Autumn Period, four horses drove together, which was good for light speed. Today's chariots are mostly modified from folk carriages and are pulled by oxen. They can't travel in a day."
Thirty miles away, if there is a little rain or snow, we won’t be able to go.”
"How can such a vehicle control the Khitan cavalry?"
The officials nodded slightly when they heard this.
Lu Huiqing said: "In the past, Wei Qing went out to the fortress and used Wugang chariots to fight the Xiongnu, Ma Long made a box chariot and defeated Xianbei, Liu Yu used chariots as two wings to defeat the Southern Yan, and Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei Dynasty used 100,000 cavalry and 150,000 chariots in the Northern Expedition.
After leaving the fortress, Rouran did not dare to go south, and even the Duke of Han and Wei advocated that chariots and soldiers could cross Hebei."
"Although chariots and horses are slow, they are useful for forming defensive formations on the plains to transport supplies."
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, in the past Yang Su led troops to fight against the Turks. He categorically destroyed his own vehicles and denounced that this was the way to consolidate oneself, not to win. In the end, he ordered all the armies to form a cavalry formation and finally defeated the Turks."
"Li Jing was also good at using chariots, but he told Emperor Taizong that chariots are just for defense, and only cavalry can win. As for Wei Qing, the Taiwu Emperor just said, he also won with cavalry. The art of war is said to be noble and fast."
"Although chariots can prevent conflicts and provide transportation, they cannot win without riding. Therefore, I believe that the best way is to use cavalry to control cavalry, not to use chariots to control cavalry."
Lu Huiqing was unconvinced and wanted to say more, but the official interrupted Lu Huiqing's words and asked Zhang Yue: "Where is there a place to raise horses in Hebei? The horses raised by this horse family are good for pulling carts. As for the conflict,
I'm afraid it won't be possible in the battle formation."
As soon as the official saying "Hu Ma Fa" came out, it was exactly what Shen Kuo said and made Wang Anshi lose face.
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, the local superintendent now requires 500 guan to raise a horse. If we buy the horse from the Tao River vassal, it will only cost a few dozen guan. I believe that adapting measures to local conditions is the best strategy."
After Your Majesty takes over the Xihe River, there is a natural horse breeding land, why not take it seriously."
"Buying horses from the feudal lord can save money, and it can also help the local people and let them know your Majesty's kindness. However, before the chariot is built, it is necessary to buy materials and hire craftsmen. It is both accomplished and difficult to transport.
Each cart is equipped with an ox and horse, and the cost is unknown!"
The officials were overjoyed when they heard this.
Seeing this, Lu Huiqing was furious.
Disputes over opinions and policies are all fights over the forces behind them.
Lu Huiqing wanted to "use chariots to control cavalry" in order to strengthen the power of military supervision, while Zhang Yue wanted to "use cavalry to control cavalry" in order to strengthen Xihelu's status in the court.
Lu Huiqing saw that Wang Anshi never spoke out to support him. As for Wu Chong, although Wang Gui did not speak, he supported Zhang Yue from the bottom of his heart, and finally silently returned to the class.
In the past, when discussing politics before the emperor, no one except Wang Anshi could make Lu Huiqing so frustrated.
At this moment, the official downgraded his rank and said to Zhang Yue: "You who really know the military, I will buy another 10,000, no, 20,000 horses from Xihe Road to strengthen the armies in Hebei Province. This matter will be dealt with immediately."
After hearing the emperor's words that he was a man who really knew the military, Lu Huiqing was filled with jealousy. Ever since he joined the government, the emperor had never praised him for his knowledge of the military.
Wu Chong stepped forward and said: "The armies in Hebei have not been in battle for decades, and there are not many cavalry left. They can be trained by skilled generals from Xihe and Shaanxi's strategic envoys."
The official said: "As you said."
"Negotiations with the Khitan need to be negotiated slowly, but if something unexpected happens, preparations for war in Hebei and Hedong cannot be delayed. The Privy Council will make plans for this matter early in the morning."
Chen Shengzhi and Cai Ting both came and went due to illness, so the matter was mainly left to Zhang Yue and Zeng Xiaokuan.
As for Lu Huiqing standing on the side of the palace, he could feel that after Zhang Yue returned to the court, his status in the eyes of the officials would further decline. Let alone the officials and Wang Anshi fell out of harmony, I am afraid that there would be no place for him in the court.
.
What's more, even if Wang Anshi resigned as prime minister, he would be replaced by Wu Chong, the prime minister of history.
…
When I left the palace that day, someone suddenly summoned me and invited me to meet him at a wine shop outside the royal gate.
Zhang Yue wondered who could be so expressionless?
Nowadays, when ordinary officials want to see him, they go to the Privy Council for official matters and to the mansion for private matters, but they can also invite themselves to meet in a small wine shop, just like an underground party.
This is whether meeting in a wine shop is fair or private.
When Zhang Yue saw that the person was Shen Kuo, he immediately realized that he was the only one who could do this.
Zhang Yue changed his clothes and went to the wine shop agreed by Shen Kuo. In the past, it was common for him to change into civilian clothes and go to the wine shop when he was a minor official, but now as a privy deputy, countless people pay attention to his every move. This move is really It's too reckless.
When they arrived at the wine shop, Shen Kuo had been waiting to see Zhang Yue. He immediately greeted him and said, "Shen, please... pay homage to your husband."
Zhang Yue said: "Cunzhong, we haven't seen each other for many years in the northwest. You don't have to be polite. Let's sit down and talk."
When Zhang Yue sent troops to the northwest, Shen Kuo had the highest official position in the shogunate. However, although Shen Kuo was recruited by Zhang Yue, the other party did not treat Zhang Yue as a shogunate.
Zhang Yue also valued Shen Kuo and treated him as an equal, unlike Wang Shao.
So Shen Kuo returned to Bianjing and immediately joined Lu Huiqing. Zhang Yue also felt that it was understandable that everyone had their own ambitions.
But Shen Kuo bowed to him and said, "Shen is now in charge of military weapons. If you have any assignments in the future, please just give me your orders!"
Zhang Yue was a little surprised that Shen Kuo was suddenly so respectful, as if he would just let him be driven.
Zhang Yue did not look surprised, nor did he rush to help him, but just watched the changes quietly.
He first sat on a chair and then said: "Cunzhong is the first to sit down! Speak slowly."
"Thank you... thank you, Mr. Xian."
But seeing Shen Kuo's face flushed, sitting on the noodle chair opposite Zhang Yue, his face looked unnatural.
Zhang Yue looked at Shen Kuo and said with a smile: "Cunzhong, the weapons supervisor is under the jurisdiction of Zhongshu and not under the jurisdiction of the Privy Council. Lu Jifu will not be happy if you say that."
After hearing this, Shen Kuo said anxiously: "Ms. sir, Shen has no close friendship with... and Lu Jifu..."
ah?
Is this no friendship?
That's not what you said originally.
Zhang Yue said: "Cunzhong, but seeing that Lu Jifu is about to lose power, are you here to seek my protection?"
Shen Kuo looked embarrassed when he heard this, but when Zhang Yue revealed what was on his mind, he looked relieved.
Zhang Yue said to Shen Kuo: "Cunzhong, you are a simple and unpretentious person, very much like one of my senior brothers. But it is difficult to be simple as an official, so I have to do it against my will to retain my position and power."
Shen Kuo said: "My lord, I have learned what I have taught you."
Zhang Yue said: "In the middle of existence, everyone with internal wisdom can reach it, but only external fools cannot. Since you have the strengths of external fools, why should you sacrifice your own strengths and exploit your own shortcomings?"
"You first voted for Xianggong Wang, then for Xianggong Han, then for Xianggong Lu, and now you have voted for me. When word spread about this, everyone will regard you as having no persistence."
The most annoying thing in official circles is speculators who are not firm in their stance.
Shen Kuo said anxiously: "My lord, you have misunderstood... You have misunderstood Shen. His opposition to the Huma Law and the Elimination of Service Law were all caused by the Emperor's call. I will tell you the truth..."
Zhang Yue asked, "Are you really outspoken? No one else taught you that."
After hearing Zhang Yue's last sentence, Shen Kuo looked embarrassed.
Not to mention that even a three-foot-tall kid Zhang Yue could see through Shen Kuo's thoughts.
Zhang Yue said helplessly: "Being clumsy is better than being cunning. If you can be clumsy, you will treat others with sincerity. Even if you make mistakes, others will forgive you. But... you are like this now. Tell me the truth, are these you?" Hun’s family taught you to come here?”
Shen Kuo's face changed and he showed a "how do you know" expression.
Finally, Shen Kuo nodded and stammered: "Yes, I...my wife said that I have offended Xianggong Wang now. From now on...when Lu Jifu loses power again, only...only Xianggong Zhang can take care of Shen in the court." certain."
"Shen is a humble person and is not good at dealing with officialdom. I feel in my heart...I feel that my wife is ten times smarter than me...and there is absolutely no reason to harm me."
Zhang Yue covered his face with his hands when he heard this. Lu Huiqing had not lost power yet. Even if he had lost power, it was not because of you, Shen Kuo.
Not to mention that you have become a domestic slave with three surnames, you know?
You are such a short-sighted woman, but you, Shen Kuo, still obey your words.
Zhang Yue asked: "Cunzhong, I sincerely advise you to divorce your wife and marry again!"
Hearing this, Shen Kuo immediately shook his head and stopped stammering: "This is absolutely impossible. Shen only loves my wife in this life..."