"Your envoy is joking," Deng Su sneered, "Let's talk about the return of Luoyang and Xiangyang first." ”

Feng Tinglun's face was as usual, he picked up the teacup and blew the tea foam, drank the fragrant tea gently, and said with a smile: "Lord Shangshu is familiar with poetry and books, don't you hear it, and those who win the hearts of the people will win the world." Not long ago, the people of the two places elected the protector of the people, and the number of people who signed the paintings reached one million, and the books are all there, which is a clear proof. It is gratifying to congratulate that Admiral Zhao Xingde was also elected as the Shangzhu State. But then again, even if your country conforms to the will of the people in these two places, you should let Zhao Xingde return to China and speak up for the people of Kwantung in the Zhuguo Mansion. ”

The 'lip' between Deng Su and Feng Tinglun was at loggerheads, and the officials of the Ministry of Rites and the envoys' entourage were walking on shaved ice, for fear of accidentally insulting the national body.

In the middle of the living room, Chen Dong was sitting with a grim face. This is the first time that Xia has officially sent envoys to Ezhou since the Xia State sent troops to seize Luoyang and the Song State detained Zhao Xingde. He frowned, except for answering the envoy of the Xia Kingdom in a polite and 'sexual' greeting, he was silent until the end of the ceremony, Chen Dong stood up and gave his hand to send Feng Tinglun away.

"Is it possible that Xia Guo will send troops to Henan in the near future?" Chen Dong waited for Deng Su to send the farewell envoy back, and asked in the first sentence.

"Probably not." Deng Su's tone explained uncertainly, "If the Xia State sends troops to Henan, both the north and the south will be enemyed, and the power of one country will inevitably dominate our country and the Liao State." However, the news from Chang'an is that the war between the Xia State and the Great Food Country in the river cannot end in the short term, and the prices of Chang'an's grain and cloth have been rising. Moreover, Feng Yanlun sent an envoy at this time, I am afraid that it is more of a gesture of goodwill, after all, they also know that after the master, it is impossible for Zhao Xingde to put it back. ”

"That's good." Chen Dong looked at Deng Su's suspicious and confused look, and said in a low voice: "The treasury has been scraped down three feet. ”

"Alas," Deng Su sighed, "I should try my best to deal with Feng Yanlun." ”

He is well aware of Chen Dong's difficulties. Since the establishment of Ezhou, the state treasury has almost always been empty, and more than 800,000 forbidden troops have been stationed in various places, and the monthly food and salary is more than 3 million yuan, and the cost of regimental training in prefectures and counties is not counted. As soon as the two taxes and commercial taxes of the state and county were 'paid' to the household department, they were used almost immediately. Kou Minzhong, the head of the household department, was elected by Zhu Xuezheng alone in the Great Rites Meeting, and he was resolutely opposed to any increase in taxes, even to the point of persuading Chen Dong not to use military force. If it weren't for the urgent situation of the coastal states and counties, Kou Minzhong promised to raise 5 million Jinghai coupons, and the imperial court would not even be able to pay the water division's salary.

"I heard that the household department promised to issue Jinghai bonds," Deng Su asked, "but they forcibly used the salt tax as collateral for Jinghai bonds?" ”

"Exactly," Chen Dong shook his head and said, "Kou Min has one account room, which is not enough to make a big deal." ”

"Kou Minzhong can't help his arms," Deng Sushen 'groaned', "Shaoyang, I recommend myself, Su Runeng, do you dare to use it?" ”

"Su Runeng?" Chen Dong frowned and asked rhetorically, "'Three Victors' Su Tongfu? He seems to be still in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment? ”

"Exactly." Deng Su nodded and said, "Su Tongfu and I are familiar with each other, although his words and deeds are a little 'radical', but together with the country's financial management, he is indeed insightful." The case of the Criminal Department was soon brought to a conclusion, and in the case of 'smuggling' Liaoguo Jiu Khan, Su Tongfu only contributed money to the shares, and he thought that Jiu Khan came from the South China Sea. ”

"Really?" Chen Dong sneered, "I thought he didn't care where the sweat came from. ”

Su Tongfu was involved in this case before the imperial court canceled the liquor monopoly, because it involved the Liao State, and it became a big case of capital enemies. If the enemy is confirmed, he is worthy of beheading. Su Tongfu called himself "Three Victors", what is the meaning of three gains, money, talent, and longevity. In life, you can't buy things without money, you can't understand reason without talent, and everything is empty if you have no life. In the southeast, many people of the vulgar world regard this "three virtues" as Guigao, and it is also popular among the Qingliu gentry, but there are still many people who think that Su Ru can speak too much, and they are extremely disdainful of it.

"Su Runeng is indeed a talent," Deng Su continued to persuade, "and he has the heart to serve the country, and his crime is not a major crime, you only need a pardon to save him from torture and humiliation, and this person can be 'excited' and use it for you." His financial skills are comparable to those of Kou Min, and he is exactly what you need. ”

"Okay." Chen Dong reluctantly agreed, "If he is indeed from the Liao Kingdom without knowing the wine and sweat, I can pardon his punishment of assassination and vain, but the fine cannot be waived." If not, I can do it. He picked up the teacup and took a sip to hide the disgust in his eyes. These days, more and more gentry are being imprisoned and tortured for the Qingliu Law, and every day people come to the 'door' to ask for amnesty. However, Wu Zilong's side was watching very closely, and every amnesty would cause Chen Dong to lose some of the support of the society. The refusal of amnesty has left others with a grudge against him.

Deng Su sighed, got up to say goodbye, and slowly walked out of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Suzaku Street outside the Xiangfu is the most lively in the inner city of Ezhou. Every day, a large number of students gather here, some of them wait in line to write and talk about things, some of them distribute all kinds of postings, and some of them come here to discuss articles with colleagues and inquire about news. In addition to the vermilion lacquer 'door' of the Ya 'Gate', the streets are lined with all kinds of stalls, selling books, pen and ink, bamboo and wood utensils, soup, tea and snacks, etc., everything, among the bustling crowd, there are many tourists from other counties and counties, with curiosity to watch the beautiful scenery of the Prime Minister's Ya 'Gate' and 'Gate' entrance.

Outside the wall of the Prime Minister's Mansion, Deng Su bent down and got into the car, but the carriage didn't go far, and it shook and stopped.

"My lord, Lord Deng!" Ignoring the rebuke of the attendants of the Ministry of Rites, a person outside said loudly, "Lord Shangshu." ”

Curious that this person could actually recognize himself, or recognize his carriage, Deng Su lifted the curtain and saw a face that was too young. The young man didn't care about arguing with the officials of the Ministry of Rites, so he stretched out a post and handed it directly to Deng Su, which was actually very offensive. Deng Su was slightly stunned, but still took the post into his hand.

"My lord," Yu Sheng forcibly suppressed the 'agitation' and said in a deep voice: "We support Lord Deng to distinguish the turbidity and eradicate the 'traitor'!" ”

Deng Su was bitter, nodded with a smile, and lowered the curtain. The carriage moved slowly again, Deng Su took a cursory glance at the post, the handwriting was very good, the title was to support the Ministry of Rites to distinguish the turbidity and eradicate the 'traitor', but the content and propositions were all from Wu Zilong's line. One asked the Ministry of Rites to put pressure on the Criminal Department, and sent the criminals who were sent to Ezhou from all over the country to be 'raped' criminals, and the cases were tried quickly, and they were killed when they were killed. The other asked the imperial court to suppress the annexation, give relief to the poor, and give the landless people a way to live. Deng Su sighed, folded the two uncovered posts, and put them in his sleeve.

"The Ministry of Rites presides over justice!" "Please Lord Deng to eradicate the 'traitor'!"

Because of Deng Su's act of accepting the unveiling post, the crowd was 'excited', and dozens of people shouted loudly together: "Support Lord Deng to distinguish the turbidity and eradicate the 'traitor'!" "...... "If you don't get rid of the 'traitor' people, it will be difficult for the Great Song Dynasty to be safe!" ...... "Support the imperial court to rectify the rule of officials!" Kill corrupt officials! The carriage of the Ministry of Rites slowly disappeared around the corner of the street, and the shouts that went straight into the sky gradually stopped.

"Is that really Lord Deng?" Emperor Sizong asked, staring at the corner where the carriage had disappeared.

"Of course," Zhang Wei explained, "in the first month of the new year, Lord Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites came to the state school to encourage everyone, so I met him once, Brother Wang, your family has returned to Ezhou." He felt a little complacent, but his face was cold. Although the topic of "supporting the Ministry of Rites to distinguish and clear the turbidity" was discussed by everyone, Zhang Wei was still worried that he would be mistaken by his colleagues for Deng Su's party, and he would be troublesome if he was not a person inside and outside.

"I see." Sure enough, Wang Sizong shook his head and smiled, "I mistakenly thought that you had something to do with Lord Deng. ”

"How so?" Zhang Wei was about to draw a clear line again, but his face changed and he was silent.

"Roar what! What's the roar? "On the other side of the street, a few officials came with iron rulers in their hands, and they came with a fierce look.

The officials raised the iron ruler as a gesture of intimidation, and shouted loudly: "This is a quiet place for the prime minister to see things, and it is not allowed to make loud noises!" "Honest businessman, what's the noise?" "Be careful when the people in the house come out and take you to prison for questioning!" But when he came to the state school students, he only bypassed. He is either from a strong background, or he is a seed of study. As long as there is no big 'chaos', everyone will not be able to step down, and the officials will not want to provoke them.

On the outskirts of Ezhou, an uninvited guest came to the southeast camp, and Shi Tingjian came to visit Wang Gui on the order of the master.

Although Shi Tingjian is white, he is Wu Zilong's proud 'protégé'. Hearing that he was coming, Wang Gui followed the practice of 'befriending' literati and scholars, and Corporal Lixian set up a small banquet in the backyard to entertain Shi Tingjian, and called a few henchmen and generals to accompany him. After the wine was hot, Shi Tingjian tried to say something, but Wang Gui always prevaricated and refused to 'revea' his tendencies.

"The general can be described as a gentleman," Shi Tingjian turned his wine glass and said with a smile: "The way of a gentleman is like facing the abyss, like walking on thin ice." ”

"Deserved, deserved." Wang Gui's face changed slightly, and he shook his head and said, "Wang is a layman, and he only wants to be shrouded in horse leather and serve the imperial court, and he can't be called a gentleman." He himself chose to be self-disciplined, and he would rather defile himself than offend either Chen Dong or Wu Zilong.

"The general's humility and self-restraint are enough to be a model for my Great Song Dynasty warriors, and Ting Jian admires him." Shi Tingjian raised his wine glass, drank it all, and said with a smile, "The world often says that military generals do not hesitate to die, and civil officials do not love money, so the world is peaceful." If the generals of the Great Song Dynasty were like General Wang, who encouraged themselves to serve the country, there would not have been the danger of the Han and Tang dynasties when the warriors intervened in the government and divided the feudal towns, causing the country to decline. The Chinese Wushu Path is irrelevant, and it is also the will of the ancestral family law under the Taizu system. ”

Dawn of the Empire:

Chapter 114 Autumn of the Fallen Heaven and Earth-3: