These days, Shao An shuttles back and forth between the household department, the military department and the ritual department, and is very busy.

In the morning, I first went to talk about the friendship of colleagues with Ni Hongyu, the secretary of the household department, and when Shao An proposed to prepare six million taels of silver, Ni Hongyu opened his mouth wide, "What, so much, where is it used?" ”

"This is a secret, and I hope you can raise it as soon as possible."

Ni Hongyu frowned and put on a bitter gourd face, "Shao Xiang, you were also a household official, you should know that in recent years, the treasury has been exhausted, and you have been eating grain in Yin. ”

"I have worked in the household department, and I know very well how much tax is collected every year. In the past two years, there have been no wars and no celebrations in the imperial court, so it will not be beyond their means. ”

Ni Hongyu continued to cry poor, "Taxes can only make up for the deficit in previous years, how can there be extra spare money?" ”

Shao An said sincerely, "If it weren't for the urgency, I wouldn't have asked you for silver." Tell me the truth, how much money is in the treasury at the moment? ”

"Prime Minister, I really can only take out three million taels at most."

Shao An smiled and shook his head, it was definitely more than that.

Ni Hongyu gritted his teeth and stomped his feet, "Less than four million." ”

Shao An calculated, this number was true, so he said to him: "Lord Ni, you must do your best to make up four million taels." The remaining two million, the official himself figured it out. ”

Immediately afterwards, Shao An went to the military department for a turn, and after learning that his brother had set off with Gao Wei to return to Beijing, the haze that had been accumulated in his heart for a long time instantly cleared up, as if as long as his brother was by his side, no matter how difficult it was, it was not a difficulty.

Shao An listened to Zhao Wei, the secretary of the military department, and Gao Wei and his party inspected all the way from the northwest to the Turks on the northern line, and found out that when the king of Xi'ou was critically ill, the internal court of Xi'ou was divided into several factions, and the princes fought for power and profit with each other, and the fight was in full swing. Since Xiou does not set up a prince, as soon as the former king dies, the powerful prince will rob it. If you grab it, you will be king, and if you don't grab it, it is difficult to say whether you will live or die.

In the end, the three princes got the first opportunity and launched a coup d'état, and the rest of the princes died and were exiled, all of which ended tragically. Xi'ou real knife and real gun, the battle for power with life; Compared with the hidden scheming of the Central Plains, the bloodless battle for succession, I don't know which one is more bloody.

After coming out of the military department, Shao An went to the yamen of the Ministry of Rites to go shopping, and Jiang Jiamin came to greet him in person. Look at the old man's red face, this complexion is many times stronger than when he was in the criminal department.

During this time, it coincides with the completion of the imperial examination and the early Spring Festival, which is one of the most leisurely days of the Ministry of Rites. Shao An looked at Jiang Jiamin's leisurely demeanor, and was really embarrassed to tell him that he had just encountered such a tricky matter as diplomacy as soon as he was transferred.

But this matter is important, and Shao An has to talk about it. After Jiang Jiamin listened, he touched his beard and said: "I haven't fought with the Turks for more than ten years. The two countries have been at peace for a long time, and the Turks can't afford to start a war at this time, right? ”

"King Xinxiou is young and vigorous, and I am afraid that he will stir up relations between us and the Turks. It is necessary to put an end to the connection between Xiou and the Turks. ”

Shao Xiang was extremely worried. The new king of Xiou ascended the throne, and he couldn't figure out his temperament, so it was better to be cautious. Jiang Jiamin just thought that it was because of the change in the political situation in Xiou and the emperor's thoughtfulness, so he wanted to send someone to find out the details.

Shao An was also not easy to say clearly, and said vaguely: "You sent someone to investigate on the grounds of wishing the new king to ascend the throne." Go to the Turks again by the way to see if there is anything abnormal. ”

"Then let...... Let's go to the left waiter of the Ministry of Rites. Jiang Jiamin cautiously speculated on Shao An's expression, after all, this kind of errand will definitely be a little dangerous. Let Dong Qiming, who is in Shao An's hands, go, is an excellent candidate.

Shao An said: "It's best for the boss to lead the team personally." ”

Even the "boss" was called out, which shows that it is impossible to refuse. Jiang Jiamin's heart suddenly pulled out the cold, thinking that the last time Shao An visited his mansion and called him "boss", it was the critical moment when the household department and the Yushitai were fighting, and then the criminal department was inexplicably pulled into the battlefield.

Jiang Jiamin suddenly had a strong premonition that this time's diplomacy was not trivial. He swallowed and foamed, "The prime minister commanded, dare to disobey his orders?" ”

※※※※※

Half a month later, Jiang Jiamin and Dong Qiming led the delegation out of Chang'an, and Gao Wei and others returned to Beijing.

This time, in addition to Li Hongyi, Xu Lei and Li Honghui went to the border with Gao Wei. It is said that this is the first time Xu Lei and Li Honghui have gone to the northwest border, and it is the first time they have seen the yellow sand like the boundless sea, and the excitement of the two of them can be imagined.

And Li Hongyi did not have a trace of excitement, the memory in his mind was erased, but the memory of his body was still there. He has always been an idiot, but he can discern the direction by feeling in the vast desert. This made Xu Lei believe even more in what Li Honghui said, Li Hongyi did serve in the army in the northwest.

Seeing that his younger brother and Xu Lei were so happy, Hong Yi asked, "You really haven't been here before?" ”

"Nope." Li Honghui and Xu Lei replied in unison.

Li Hongyi scratched his head, wondering why he always felt that when he was a soldier in the northwest, he was accompanied by friends and brothers. even vaguely remembered that the three of them helped each other in the northwest and made many military exploits, could these be all their own imagination?

After Gao Wei returned, he immediately reported the situation to the emperor. According to his observation, Xi'ou did not mobilize troops and horses, mobilize grain and grass, and should not have the intention of raising troops to violate the territory.

The emperor thought that it seemed that there would be no war at the border for the time being, so that he would have enough time to prepare for the battle, so he felt a little at ease; Thinking about Shao An's reprimand, he still didn't dare to completely let go of his heart, so he instructed Gao Wei: "Zizhong, you will secretly transfer 30,000 forbidden soldiers and horses to the northwest." Remember, transfer in batches and keep it strictly confidential. ”

Gao Wei was very puzzled by this troop transfer, "Your Majesty, just for the sake of a one-in-10,000 possibility, such a large-scale troop transfer consumes a lot of manpower and material resources, and it is really not worth it." ”

"That's more than one in 10,000. According to the prime minister's speculation, the king of Xiou is fierce, and there is a chance that there will be a battle with him, so it is better to make some preparations as soon as possible. ”

"Your Majesty, Shao An's words are not to be believed. If he hadn't talked about the military situation back then, how could we have lost the war? Gao Wei rolled his eyes, it was Shao An who came up with an idea again, what does he know as a Wenchen? Do you think that if he hadn't had a bad idea, Li Hongyi would have been injured and amnesia? Will our army lose 800 elite cavalry?

"Enough!" The emperor slapped the table, "Don't mention the things of that year again." ”

Gao Wei bit his lip angrily, "Your Majesty, military affairs cannot be made based on the suspicion of one person alone, and I hope that the saint will think twice." ”

"I've made up my mind!"

"Your Majesty!" Gao Wei knelt down, his knees on the ground, but he didn't feel pain. He clenched his hands into fists and looked up at the emperor with burning eyes.

The emperor pursed his lips, his deep eyes could not distinguish joy and anger, and even his tone was calm as usual, but the words he said were terrifying, and he said: "It is the duty of a soldier to obey orders. Gao Wei, do you want to resist the decree? ”

Gao Wei trembled, gradually lowered his hands, lowered his head and closed his eyes, "The last general...... Compliance. ”

What followed did not go as Shao An had guessed. The new king of Xi'ou sent an envoy to Chang'an to inform the new king of his accession to the throne. The envoys of other countries were modest and did not intend to provoke anything.

It just so happened that Jiang Jiamin's team also traveled to the northwest border, just in time for a return visit. It is said that the new king was hospitable, and the mission went unusually well. This made Gao Wei's resentment heavier and heavier, and it also made Shao An's suspicions even stronger.

"From diplomacy, it can be seen that the relations between the two countries are harmonious and not hostile. I don't know why the prime minister is worrying? Gao Wei sneered.

At this moment, there are only three people in the hall: the emperor, Gao Wei and Shao An. For the sake of Xiou, the emperor specially summoned them to the Heart Cultivation Hall to ask one or two.

"Your Majesty, the minister still maintains the original proposal." Shao An didn't bother to pay attention to Gao Wei's provocation, and directly said to the emperor, "The minister thinks that Xi'ou's diplomatic performance at this moment is really abnormal. It seems that he wants to get rid of his old suspicions with us, but in fact, he is hiding his true purpose. ”

"The real purpose? Shao Xiang thinks, what is his purpose? Gao Wei dismissed this remark and asked, "Don't forget, Prime Minister, in the twenty years of Yongkang, the Holy Lord led the troops to the northwest, and Xi'ou was defeated. In the second year of Tai'an, Ben fought in Xiou, and the enemy was defeated again. The general believed that even if he fought again, Xiou would not be able to compete with the elite generals of our army. Why is the prime minister worried? ”

"Wouldn't the general hear it, and think of danger in peace."

"The army of the defeated army is not to be worried."

"General Gao, the one who leads the troops, do not underestimate the enemy. The art of war is cloudy, and arrogant soldiers will be defeated. ”

"What do you mean? Will the cursed Ben be defeated? ”

"Shao is just reminding the general."

"Enough!" The emperor watched the battle for a long time, and when he saw that the more they talked, the more unpleasant they became, and finally spoke, "What kind of system do you have become when you are so noisy, and are you still the good ministers and fierce generals that I rely on?" ”

Seeing the anger of the saint, the two of them could not bear to fight, and bowed down to apologize.

The emperor looked coldly at the two people under the jade steps, and could clearly detect the tension between the two sides. Although the two of them have not looked down on each other since the first sight, and they are simply inherently wrong, because of Li Hongyi's relationship, they can at least maintain a superficial peace. But these days, I don't know what happened to the two, and this delicate balance has been completely broken.

There are such inextricable grievances and grievances between the phases, and the entanglement of interests and losses, even for bystanders, I am afraid it is difficult to sort out. The party struggle between the two governments is still inevitable in the end.

The emperor rubbed his eyebrows and said tiredly: "It seems that there is no result in today's discussion, so you can retreat." ”

Gao Wei and Shao An exited the Heart Cultivation Hall one after another, and the eunuchs waiting outside the door hurriedly opened the curtain for them and greeted the two adults diligently. Who doesn't know that these two people in front of them are the emperor's favored ministers, the generals of the empire, ranking the most civil and military, and the edge is unmatched.

As soon as he left the palace gate, Gao Wei suddenly stopped and looked back, glaring fiercely at Shao An behind him. Shao An noticed the malice in Gao Wei's eyes, the corners of his mouth were lightly raised, and he glanced at him without being salty. Gao Wei snorted coldly, "Don't think you won, Ben will not give up." ”

"The general is so aggressive, the official has no choice but to sacrifice his life to accompany the gentleman." After Shao An finished speaking, he walked straight to Gao Wei's side and took a sedan chair back to his house.

Gao Wei scolded all the way back to the Privy Council and ran into Song Qi head-on. The old general anxiously took Gao Wei straight into the inner hall, and said mysteriously: "Recently, the emperor has transferred troops on a large scale, is it going to war?" ”

This kind of thing may be concealed from the Ministry of Household and the Ministry of Rites, but it cannot be concealed from the Ministry of War and the Privy Council. The imperial court mobilized tens of thousands of horses at once, it wouldn't be to go for a walk, right?

It's okay not to mention it, but when it comes to it, Gao Wei is depressed again, "Don't think about it." It's all the prime minister who has nothing to do, and encourages the emperor to increase his troops in the northwest. ”

"Shao Xiang is suspicious of Xiou ......" Song Qi suddenly stopped his mouth, and his cloudy eyes revealed a meaningful meaning.

"Ben will think that the northwest frontier is fine. What Shao An said is nothing. But the emperor obeyed his words. Gao Wei took General Song's hand and said sincerely, "Old general, you fought in the south and the north, fought all your life, and made countless great achievements. At this moment, only your words can make the emperor listen. Please write a letter with this general to persuade the emperor to retract his order. ”

"This ......" Song Qi didn't have an idea when he first heard about it. And the stakes are so high, how can he easily agree, so he excused himself, "The old man is old, and he can still manage the forbidden army, as for the major affairs of the military state, how dare he instigate?" ”

"This is no longer a simple political dispute, but a civil and military battle between the two governments." Gao Wei picked out the clear road, "Shao An is determined to stand up to us." The old general thought about it, why did Feng Che dare to make a big fuss that day? It was Shao An who supported him behind his back. ”

Song Qi was surprised, "Is this really the case?" ”

Gao Wei was sure, "It's true!" ”

"It's only been a long time, and it's ......" Song Qi shook his head and sighed, never thinking that the two parties of the prince and the king of Jin had only died down for a few years, and the court was going to set off a wind of party contention, "Alas, the matter of the chapter, let the old man think about it." ”

Seeing that General Song agreed, Gao Wei planned to make persistent efforts, and contacted several respected generals in the army, and several people conspired to play together, which was bound to suppress Shao An's arrogance.