Chapter 448: Humana Comes South

After Xu Wei and Xu Shao met with the king, the emperor issued an edict, highly appreciating the merits of Wen Yiwu's uncle and nephew in Shaanxi. But praise is just empty words, and it has to be practical. Although Zhao Huan has always advocated frugality, he is very generous in rewarding his courtiers. Xu Shao was regarded as a confidant by him, needless to say, it was Xu Wei, who was also rewarded with a thousand gold, 100,000 yuan, and there was no calculation of weapons, gold belts, good horses, treasures, etc.

After Xu Shao participated in the detailed discussion department, Zhao Huan partially supported the political platform of Zhao Ding, the governor of the political affairs, and issued an edict to order the division to prepare for implementation. There are reservations about further relaxing the restrictions on military ministers and relations with Jin. But in any case, it is a good thing that the main battle faction is in power again.

The central institutions of the Great Song Dynasty, mainly speaking, were the two prefectures of the East and the West. The eastern province is the Zhongshu province, which is in charge of government affairs, and the western government is the privy envoy, who is in charge of military affairs. Its Middle East Mansion is also known as the "government", and Zhao Ding, as the head of the government, has a high position and power. However, he put forward a program, and the people below him had to implement it. Therefore, after meeting Jun, Zhao Ding met with Xu Shao intensively to discuss relevant matters.

Originally, Xu Wei was the commander of the local area, and the prime minister didn't need to meet with him, just talk to Xu Shao about something. But Zhao Ding in order to show that he attaches great importance to Shaanxi, especially the Shaanxi military. still interviewed Xu Wei and encouraged him repeatedly. And consulted in detail about the situation of the Jin army for reference. In this matter, Xu Jiu doesn't have to hide anything, according to the truth, it doesn't matter if he even exaggerates it.

He fought the most with the Jin army, and his insights were naturally unique. After Zhao Ding finished talking to him, he praised him again and again in front of the emperor, saying that this kind of person is really unique to the great use.

In the blink of an eye, by the beginning of August, Xu Shao and Xu Wei's uncle and nephew had been on the trip for a month. Xu Shao was so busy every day that he was dizzy, in addition to facing the saint, he also had to meet with the chief officials of various departments, one was to report the situation, and the other was to win support. Xu Wei was different, although the emperor trusted him, it was impossible to summon him as often as Xu Shao. Moreover, although Xu Wei has a lot of old things, if the foreign officials have too close contacts with the court officials, especially his status as a military minister, it will inevitably make people gossip. Therefore, he usually stays in the pavilion, that is, he goes to visit He Guan, who is related to him, and after giving gifts, he sits and leaves. You can't go to a meal every now and then, as you did in Tokyo.

On this day, Xu Shao rarely did not have a meeting, and the official family did not summon him. It was also the first time he came to Jiangnan, so he called Xu Wei and only brought three or two retinues to go out to play. At noon, I didn't go back to the museum, I found a restaurant, ordered a few fresh dishes, asked for a pot of good wine, and the two uncles and nephews drank together.

"Although the north and the south are one, the customs and cultural landscapes are very different. said that this wine and food is refreshing, which is like Shaanxi, just mix a full stomach" Xu Shao sat by the window, holding a wine glass in one hand, but his eyes looked at the river scenery outside, and he said with feeling.

Xu Wei also thought so when he first came, but he thought about it in the past few days. I am afraid that this is also the difference between the north and the south, take the food culture of the north and the south that Xu Shao just mentioned. Shaanxi's diet, in fact, has no tricks, not to talk about the thickness, just to eat a full stomach. However, this is because of the constraints of the environment and conditions, and the second is because Shaanxi is more pragmatic. This place, on the other hand, focuses on glitz.

In the past few days, he has also thought of a question, throughout Chinese history, the war of unification, until the current Song Dynasty, was fought from north to south. Of course, after the Song Dynasty, there were two special examples, the Ming Dynasty and the Yuan Dynasty unified China, which was fought from the south to the north; The Northern Expedition of the Republic of China also started from the south to the north, and finally completed the formal reunification. But these two are after the Song Dynasty and are not considered.

Therefore, if you want to be comfortable and happy, there is no better place than the South. If you want to achieve great things, you must start from the north. He was even thinking that in history, even if the Southern Dynasty Dynasty fully supported it, the Southern Song Dynasty generals represented by Yue Fei were unlikely to regain their lost territory and reunite themselves. The crime of non-war really involves too many aspects, and some Xu Wei himself can't figure it out.

Now Yanyun and Lianghe have fallen into the hands of the Jurchens, and the Central Plains region is also in danger, leaving only a place in Shaanxi that can compete with the Jinren. If Shaanxi is lost, pessimistically, the recovery of the Great Song Dynasty will basically be out of play.

"What do you think?" Xu Shao saw that his nephew didn't talk and asked.

"Oh, my nephew is thinking, this Jiangnan mountain and water is beautiful, the people are outstanding, and the water transportation reaches the four seas, and the exchanges are prosperous. It's like a fairy-like place, and when you get here, everyone will be happy. Xu Wei said with a smile.

Xu Shao played with the wine glass and chuckled: "What you say is a bit off-the-beaten." ”

"Let's see what happens." Xu Wei also smiled, and after that, he picked up the wine glass and touched it with his uncle.

After Xu Shao took a sip of wine, he sighed: "In the past month, I have met with officials and officials of the department many times, and on the whole, the situation is still gratifying. The rulers are all inclined to the main battle, and they all said that they will strongly support Shaanxi, which is a good opportunity. When you and I go back, we should work harder. ”

Xu Wei smiled a little casually: "This is nature." ”

Xu Shao stared at him for a long time, put down the wine glass and asked, "Do you have anything to say?" There are no outsiders here, so it doesn't hurt to speak out. Did the official tell you something? ”

"Uncle, where is this, my nephew is just a martial artist, and when the official family summons him, he just encourages him a few words, what else can he say? Uncle has the respect of 'envoy', and if the Son of Heaven has any confidential matters, tell his uncle. Xu Wei said.

Xu Shao listened to what he said before, and seemed to mean something, and then looked at his current attitude, he became more and more sure, so he asked, "What else is there to say to my uncle?" If you have any ideas, just say it, it's just a matter of gossip between our uncle and nephew. ”

When Xu Wei heard him say this, he put down his wine glass and said, "Uncle thinks Jiangnan is good?" ”

"Okay." Xu Shao nodded.

"Jiangnan is really good, people live here, and if you don't think about it, I'm afraid you will forget about it." Xu Wei said.

Xu Shao frowned slightly: "You mean...... No, now that there is a consensus between the government and the opposition, and the monarch and the minister are all seeking to recover, how can they not be happy? ”

"Third uncle, this is only temporary. Rong nephew asked, does my uncle think that in the short term, it is possible for us to recover the lost land and expel the Jurchens from the country? Xu Wei asked.

Xu Shao didn't think about it, and shook his head directly: "It's difficult." ”

"That's it, whether it is Beiyi attacking or our army attacking, a situation cannot be avoided. You can't destroy me, I can't defeat you. If you see that there is no hope of recovery, and think of the wealth of the south of the Yangtze River, you will live a good life, and if you go on for a long time, you will be degenerate. Since no one can help anyone, so be it. Xu Wei smiled bitterly.

Xu Shao's face gradually changed, although he thought that what Xu Wei said was crooked, he was still a little flustered. He said in a deep voice: "If this is the case, the world is in danger with the situation of Song and Jin today, and our side must strive to recover, and only by attacking and defending can we gain a foothold." If you are satisfied with the status quo and let it go, sooner or later you will ......"

Xu Wei stopped talking, he had already figured it out. Now this world belongs to the Zhao Guanjia and his civil official group, and it is useless for us to be in a hurry. Even if it is the third uncle, the innovation you are doing in Shaanxi, without the approval of these people, you will not do it. Since it is not realistic to seek the overall situation for the time being, then seek a corner

"No, as long as Shaanxi is here, and the 200,000 Western Army is there, the Jin Army will not want to do whatever it wants, if they attack Shaanxi, I will defend myself. If you go to the Central Plains and invade the south of the Yangtze River, I will help it," Xu Shao said firmly.

Xu Wei couldn't help but gasp, this was what he was most afraid of, he was still counting on the strategic place of Shaanxi, and the Western Army that was not afraid of death

"Uncle, in this way, not only will the Western Army be finished, but there will be no hope of recovery." Xu Wei was blunt.

Xu Shao's eyebrows were twisted into a ball, and he asked, "What do you mean by this?" ”

"The only thing the imperial court can rely on now is the Western Army, to put it mildly, this is a life-saving straw, and it must not be used without permission. If, as the third uncle said, the Jin army attacked Shaanxi, we blocked, attacked the Central Plains and Jiangnan, and we aided, then the Western Army was tired and was led by the nose. If there is a mistake in the Western Army, who else can the court rely on? When he was in a hurry, Xu Wei unreservedly pointed out Xu Shao's mistake.

Xu Shao was not angry, he had been a military attaché, and it was not difficult to understand what his nephew said.

"Third uncle, if you don't say something inappropriate, to run Shaanxi and save the Western Army is the greatest loyalty to the imperial court." Xu Wei originally wanted to add a sentence "Don't make fun of the Western Army", but the words came to his lips and swallowed back.

Xu Shao didn't say a word, picked up the wine glass in front of him and put it to his mouth, but he didn't drink it, and he didn't know what he was thinking. This banquet was dispersed in a silent and depressed atmosphere, and the two uncles and nephews were naturally not in the mood to go to the mountains and rivers again, visit the ancient scenery, and leave the museum.

When he arrived at the door of the pavilion and was about to go up the steps, Xu Shao, who had not spoken, suddenly stopped, turned back to Xu Jiu and said, "Today's words are only between you and my uncle and nephew, and must not be leaked." Xu Wei nodded, and Xu Shao went inside.

"Oops" As soon as he stepped into the threshold, a person pounced. "Xuanfu Xianggong is finally back"

Xu Shao fixed his eyes on it, but it was an inner attendant, and when he looked around, he found that in the hall of this pavilion, there were several internal attendants standing or sitting, and when they saw him, they all stood up.

As soon as Xu Wei came in, he found that the atmosphere was not right. When the chamberlain arrived at the pavilion, there was only one possibility, and that was to be summoned by the official family. These chamberlains could have left the words behind, but instead of doing so, they stayed and waited. This shows that the emperor urgently summoned this visit to Xingzai to report on his work, what urgent matter can there be?

"What?" Xu Shao was also taken aback.

"Gossip is not to say, Lao Xuanfu and the villain quickly entered the palace." The leader of the chamberlain seemed to be in a hurry, and directly stretched out his hand to invite.

Xu Shao didn't panic: "No matter how anxious you are, you have to let the official change his court clothes." After finishing speaking, he went straight to his residence.

The chamberlain still chased after him and repeatedly reminded him to hurry up, and when he turned around, he found Xu Wei, so he saluted and said, "I've seen the prime minister." Xu Wei returned the courtesy, and it was impossible to ask what was the matter, so he went straight to the residence.

said this, Xu Shao changed into court clothes, and hurried to the forbidden middle with several attendants. As soon as I entered the palace, I was taken directly to the door of Zhongshu. This Zhongshu Province is the place where the prime minister works, but now it is summoned by the emperor, which means that the detailed discussion department has opened again.

Since Zhao Huan implemented the reform and set up a detailed discussion department, at first it was just a place to discuss the ancestral family law and sit and talk about the Tao. Later, however, it gradually became a decision-making body presided over by the emperor himself, attended by the ministers of the ruling government, and discussed the major affairs of the military state. The resolution formed here, in the form of an edict, was directly sent to the departments for implementation, of course, the detailed discussion department was not in charge of everything, and only opened when major matters needed to be decided, so as to avoid the "imperial power" from fully encroaching on the "relative power", which was contrary to the purpose of the Zhao and Song dynasties to "rule the world with scholars".

When I entered Zhongshu Province, I really didn't go to the "Political Affairs Hall", but went to the Xiaohua Hall where the detailed discussion department was located. Xu Shao saw from a distance that the doors and windows of the flower hall were closed, and the waiter led him to the door, pushed him in, and replied: "Official, Xu Shao has arrived." ”

As soon as he entered the hall, Xu Shao noticed that something was wrong. The emperor sat at the top, his hands in his sleeves, frowning, his eyes staring at the imperial case. Below, Zhi Yanzhi and Huang Qianshan were standing, maybe they were the ones who were arguing just now, and the other He Guan, Zhao Ding, Qin Hui and others all looked worried.

"Minister Xu Shao, meet Your Majesty." When you put the hem of your clothes, you have to make a big salute.

Zhao Huan shook his head: "Excuse me, Xu Qing sit down." ”

Since Xu Shao stepped down as a privy envoy, he was no longer a member of the detailed council, so naturally there was no place for him. The attendant who served here moved a chair and placed it at the end, after Xu Shao sat down. I only listened to the Son of Heaven: "It's just right, Xu Qing is here, listen to his opinion." Zhonggu, you ...... the matter" The emperor seemed to have a great headache, and he couldn't go on when he mentioned the word "matter", waved his hand, and motioned for Zhi Yan to explain.

Zhi Yanzhi breathed a sigh of relief, probably due to the quarrel with Huang Qianshan just now. After calming down, Fang Cai said: "I just received an urgent report from the Tokyo Left-behind Division that the Jin army has invaded the south on a large scale. ”

Xu Shao's hand unconsciously grabbed the armrest of the chair, what? The Jin army invaded the south in a big way? This puppet Korean army only came to make a fuss in the second half of last year, and the Jin army came again this year? It's just a non-stop

In the past, the Jin army invaded the south twice on a large scale, and both of them were divided into east and west. If it is the same this time, it will be a disaster, Shaanxi will definitely be the target of its Western Route Army's attack, but at this time, as the highest military and political governor of Shaanxi, he is still in Zhenjiang, and Xu Wei, the envoy of the South Shaanxi Road, is not in office

How many years have it been since the last invasion of the south? The Jin army has made a comeback again, and these Beiyi are not afraid of attrition or what? Don't you know how to recuperate? Do you have to live a breath and fight to the end?

Xu Shao unconsciously broke out in a cold sweat

At the end of July, the Jin army moved to Shandong and went straight to the Central Plains. The troops deployed in Shandong by the Tokyo Garrison Division were quickly routed, and they could only gather their forces and try to defend Tokyo. However, by the time of the report, the Jin army had not yet launched an attack on Tokyo. Orihiko introduced.

"What about the enemy's strength?" Xu Shao calmed down and asked.

"Half a million, supposedly." Ori Yan said and sat down. No wonder the emperor looks like this, no wonder the ministers are arguing so much that if the Jin army sends 500,000 troops, it is not to plot any region, but to really want to sweep the world and destroy the Great Song Dynasty

"Five hundred thousand? No, the Jin army does not have so many troops. In Shaanxi, the Jin army had more than 100,000 people. This army went to the Central Plains, and it was the east road, and the east route army was slightly inferior to the west road in terms of combat strength. Even if the puppet dynasty sends troops to help, 200,000 will reach the sky," Xu Shao said in an unquestionable tone.

Sure enough, as soon as these words came out, there was a lot of discussion in the hall. Zhao Huan immediately came to his senses, sat up straight and leaned forward and asked, "Oh? Is Xu Qing's words serious? ”

"Back to Your Majesty, if it is the 200,000 people who are correct, cut out the soldiers commanded by the puppet dynasty, and then remove the signed army of the Jin people, it would be good if the real Jin army had 100,000." Xu Shao concluded.

From the time his two uncles and nephews returned to the dynasty and introduced the situation of the Jin army, from the emperor to the ministers, they all knew that the composition of the Jin army was very complicated. There are Jurchen army, Khitan army, Bohai navy, Xi army, Han army, Han army, and Han army. Hearing him say this, many people were determined in their hearts. Fortunately, if the Jin army is only 100,000 people, then things are not too bad

"Xu Xuanfu, even the Jin army is only 200,000 people, but with the current situation of the Tokyo Left-behind Division, I am afraid it will be difficult to resist," He Guan said bluntly.

Isn't this clear to Xu Shao? He was originally left behind in Tokyo, and now the capital in Zhang's hands is all saved by him. The troops of the Tokyo Left-behind Division are mainly composed of the troops of the former "Hebei Zhaofu Division", and the strength of the troops is very limited. After he took office, he expanded the army to only tens of thousands. Now Zhang has fulfilled his will to expand the army again, and I am afraid that there are only more than 100,000. And a considerable part of them are recruits of new troops, who are not well trained and lack actual combat experience. The situation is indeed not optimistic.

"Official, the Jin people once again reneged on the covenant to attack, completely ignoring the 'Longxing Peace Conference', the minister believes that he immediately made a decisive decision to declare the two rivers as my inherent territory with a tough attitude, and did not recognize the military demarcation stipulated in the 'Longxing Peace Conference', and accused the Jin people of supporting Gao Zhishi by arrogating the order of the Tokyo Left-behind Division to resist with all their might, and sending the soldiers and horses of the Imperial Battalion Division to cross the river to guard against it" Zhao Ding's personality was as fast as the wind and as fierce as fire at this time. It is commendable that a civil servant with no military experience can react like this at such a critical juncture.

Zhao Huan didn't say anything, and when Deputy Prime Minister Huang Qianshan saw this, he got up again and said: "The Imperial Camp Division is the army of the Gong Guard, how can you move lightly?" ”

"But the strength of the Tokyo Left-behind Division is not enough to resist the Jurchens, can they watch the fall of the Central Plains Jianghuai?" Zhao Ding roared angrily.

Huang Qianshan looked at Xu Shao and argued: "Isn't there still the Western Army?" Since the Jin people invaded the Central Plains, why didn't the Western Army go out of Tongguan to support the Tokyo Left-behind Division? If I'm not mistaken, Xu Wei has recovered the Dingrong Army and Shaanzhou, and opened up the connection between Shaanxi and Henan, right? Xu Xuanfu? ”

Xu Shao's heart trembled, how could there be such a coincidence? At noon, Lao Jiu and I were still eating and drinking and discussing this matter. At that time, he said that if the Jin army attacked Shaanxi, it would block it, and if it attacked the Central Plains, it would be aided. Unexpectedly, this was fulfilled immediately

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