Chapter 432: Helpless Zhao Kuangyin

The situation in the court of the Great Song Dynasty has been very strange these days, and many young officials and the impeachment recitals of the imperial history have been sent to the palace like snowflakes, all of which demand that Wang Jixun be sentenced to death. And the bigwigs were collectively speechless, and none of them expressed any opinions.

Zhao Kuangyin was very upset, he was a lover, Empress Xiaoming had just passed away last year, and he was very fond of this gentle and virtuous woman. Therefore, he loved the house and Wu for Wang Jixun, the younger brother of Empress Xiaoming, and could not bear to execute him.

However, the Imperial City Division came to report that the public opinion in Bianliang City was very unfavorable to Wang Jixun in the past few days, and the people were very dissatisfied with the emperor's delay in killing him. Many people in Bianliang City said that Wang Jixun, the demon, dared to do such evil deeds in the capital at the feet of the Son of Heaven, but he did not get the punishment he deserved, so the people would not have any sense of security in the future.

The Great Song Dynasty has not been established for a few years, and now the Great Song Dynasty is surrounded by enemies, and the people's sense of attachment to the Great Song Dynasty is not too strong. After a hundred years of melee in the late Tang Dynasty and the five dynasties, the people were determined and wanted to live a peaceful life.

The Great Song Dynasty continued the national glory of the Later Zhou Dynasty, and finally let the people in the Central Plains live a stable life for a few years. Although many places under the rule of the Great Song Dynasty were still very poor, after all, people did not have to worry about the flames of war all day long. The national policy of the Great Song Dynasty was to live with the people's livelihood, and strive to let the people open up wasteland and farm land, and try to eat as much as possible.

The people of Bianliang City are living a good life, although everyone can barely eat a full stomach, but today's officials are quite strict with officials, officials, and soldiers, and the bullying of men and women and the common people in Bianliang City rarely happens, so everyone is still very grateful to the emperor.

But after Wang Jixun's cannibalism broke out this time, although the people didn't say anything, they were very dissatisfied with the official family in their hearts.

The Imperial City Division did not dare to hide it from Zhao Kuangyin, so he truthfully reported the dissatisfaction of the people to Zhao Kuangyin.

Zhao Kuangyin is also very conflicted now, he keeps cursing Wang Jixun in his heart, this damn bastard, how much trouble has he caused in the past two years! But thinking of Empress Xiaoming's entrustment before her death, she begged herself to protect her family no matter what, so she couldn't harden her heart and put Wang Jixun to death.

Zhao Kuangyin sat in the Wende Palace, frowning and thinking hard.

It was getting dark, and the attendants lit candles.

Wang Jien walked over cautiously and asked softly, "Official, it's time to eat, what do you want to eat?" The old slave went to give you Zhang Luo. ”

Zhao Kuangyin sighed: "Hey, I don't have an appetite!" I might as well not eat it. ”

Wang Jien persuaded: "Why don't you go outside for a walk? That way, you'll feel a little more relaxed, and you'll be able to eat more when you come back. ”

Zhao Kuangyin nodded: "It's better to go to Zeping's house, just discuss some things with him." ”

Wang Jien bowed and saluted: "The official family, please wait, the old slave will arrange it." ”

After a while, Zhao Kuangyin changed into civilian clothes, and under the protection of more than a dozen plainclothes guards, he rode out of the palace.

Zhao Pu was having dinner with his wife, and Zhao Kuangyin brought someone in.

Zhao Pu was accustomed to the emperor's sudden attack, so he got up and saluted Zhao Kuangyin with his wife.

Zhao Kuangyin said with a smile: "Zeping and sister-in-law don't have to be formal, I didn't tell you, it's indeed a bit rude." Sister-in-law, I'm a little hungry, bring me some food, and I'll eat with you. ”

Zhao Pu's wife, Wei Shi, smiled: "Official, please sit down, I will add some dishes to you." ”

Zhao Kuangyin arched his hand: "Then it's annoying sister-in-law, I haven't eaten much in the past few days." I felt a little depressed in the palace, and when I got out of the palace, I felt very comfortable, and I was indeed a little hungry. ”

Wei went out to eat a meal, and Zhao Pu asked the servants to bring tea and pour it for Zhao Kuangyin personally.

Zhao Kuangyin took a sip and glanced at Wang Jien, Wang Jien understood, and went out with the attendants.

Zhao Pu asked: "Official, but are you here for Wang Jixun's business?" ”

"Well, that's it! Zeping, I have been in turmoil these days, and I really don't know what to do with Wang Jixun. ”

Zhao Pu stroked his thick beard: "Official, please forgive me for being blunt, from the position of the prime minister, the law and discipline must be maintained, and Wang Jixun must be punished." ”

Zhao Kuangyin sighed: "Hey, Zeping, I also understand that Wang Jixun is innocent!" But I can't forget Empress Xiaoming's instructions before she died, she begged me to take care of my family, I really can't bear to do it! ”

Zhao Pu lowered his head and thought for a while, and then said slowly: "Official, if you don't deal with Wang Jixun, the minister is worried that the people in the capital will gather to make trouble. Especially those young scholars, they are more likely to be impulsive, and the ministers are afraid that they will make a lot of trouble! ”

Zhao Kuangyin was a little worried: "At the beginning of the founding of the country, I said that scholars will not be convicted for their words. And they will not kill the men unless they commit the heinous sins. Now that the scholars are getting bolder and bigger, you are right, not long after the Ministry of Rites exam, there are still many scholars who have not left Bianliang City. There's a good chance they're going to make trouble. ”

"Official, you really have to guard against it! The Imperial City Division and the Kaifeng Prefecture should be asked to strengthen the monitoring of these scholars. If they want to gather a crowd to make trouble, let Kaifeng Mansion immediately disperse these scholars. ”

Zhao Kuangyin did not express his position, and he also knew the open and secret struggle between Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi. Zhao Pu's trick is obviously to block Zhao Guangyi. He wanted Kaifeng Mansion to oppose the scholars, so that Zhao Guangyi would be an out-and-out villain in the eyes of the scholars.

At this time, Wei came in with a few maids and put on a few plates of dishes, as well as a plate of steaming meat steamed buns.

Zhao Kuangyin said happily: "There is a sister-in-law Lao, so many good dishes." Sister-in-law, do you have any wine, I and Zeping have a few glasses. ”

"Yes, yes, a few days ago, my husband bought a few jars of good wine from the south, what is it called 'Wuliangye'. I'll send for it. ”

"Then it will be annoying to work sister-in-law."

Wei took people out without mentioning it.

Zhao Kuangyin smiled: "Zeping, it seems that Du Dalei's spirits are selling well in Bianliang City, so that the treasury can also get a lot of taxes." ”

"Yes, according to the report of the third division, in the past month, the tax revenue from the sale of Wuliangye alone has reached more than 30,000 yuan, and it will increase more and more in the future. Officials, if the imperial court can obtain the manufacturing method of this spirit, it is estimated that the profit will be even more. ”

Zhao Kuangyin shook his head: "Zeping, we can't do this now, after all, we still have to buy Du Dalei's ordnance." Moreover, the Great Song Dynasty is still short of grain and cannot make wine on a large scale. There is no need to mention this matter. ”

Zhao Pu sighed: "Official, I'm a little hot-eyed!" However, the Great Song Dynasty lacked grain and could not make a large amount of wine. Du Dalei's group is in the south, which is the land of fish and rice, and there is a lot of food, and they really don't lack food for winemaking! ”

"Zeping, so the Great Song Dynasty wants to speed up the pace of conquering the world, and must occupy the anointed land in the south of the Yangtze River as soon as possible, so that the north can call on the grain of the south. After all, the Great Song Dynasty is going to war with the Khitan, and the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun must be recaptured! ”

"Official, according to our established goal, we must first use troops against Bashu. The deployment of troops is now nearing completion. When are we going to start marching? ”

Zhao Kuangyin nodded: "We won't wait too long, after Du Dalei and their ordnance arrive, we will do it." ”

Wei Shi came in and brought a small jar of Wuliangye with his own hands. She poured the wine for the two of them, and went out.

Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Pu touched the wine glasses, and then drank them all in one gulp.

"What a wine! Zeping, you said that Du Dalei has so many good things in their hands? I'm getting a little red-eyed. For example, these five grains, as well as those ordnance, scented candles, Quanjude's delicacies, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", and those intoxicating tunes and lyrics. These people really have a delicate heart to make so many good things. ”

"Official, I sent someone to the south to inquire about the origin of these people, and it is said that five of their seven brothers are merchants from overseas. And Cui Daoshu is the head of the Cui family, a local wealthy family. It was only two years since they came to Mingzhou in Wu Yue Kingdom, and they created a foundation on an island in the open sea.

Now it is said that they have gathered more than 10,000 people, and they have many things to make money, such as Wuliangye, candles, perfumes, toilet water, ordnance, and so on.

What's even more surprising is that they found a huge amount of salt on a large island overseas! Now the Tang Kingdom rarely buys salt from the Great Song Dynasty, and they all buy Du Dalei and their sea salt. It is said that the quality of their salt is better than that of the Great Song Dynasty, and the price is much lower. ”

Zhao Kuangyin was a little annoyed: "Wouldn't that be a lot less income for the Great Song Dynasty?" Why didn't the three divisions report? ”

Zhao Pu gave a piece of mutton to Zhao Kuangyin, and said slowly: "Officials, some officials have a vegetarian meal, and the three divisions should be rectified." ”

Zhao Kuangyin snorted: "This matter will be handed over to you, Yan Tiesi is indeed a little unreasonable, and he has to beat it hard." I think I'll let Shen Yilun take care of the salt and iron division. ”

Zhao Pu was a little surprised in his heart, originally he wanted his cronies to be the head of the Salt and Iron Division, but Zhao Kuangyin made a decision and let Zhao Kuangyin's absolute confidant Shen Yilun occupy this position. It seems that Zhao Kuangyin is definitely not a master who is easy to fool!

Zhao Pu nodded: "Your Majesty, I'll do it tomorrow, but if we let Du Dalei and these people grow, it will definitely be unfavorable to the Great Song Dynasty in the future." Do you want to suppress it properly? ”

Zhao Kuangyin sighed: "Hey, it's not okay yet, the Great Song Dynasty needs their ordnance, we can only endure it." Besides, they are far away at sea, and we can't reach them! The navy is our weakness, if you think about Cao Mengde, how high-spirited he was at the beginning. But in the first battle of Chibi, more than 100,000 horses were lost. It's because the water army can't do it! ”