In June of the second year of Jingkang, the season of the scorching sun. The Dingrong Army, the smallest place in the jurisdiction of the Five Roads in Shaanxi, is also in full swing like the summer climate. After learning that the thieves in Dingrong had been basically wiped out, the people who had fled elsewhere returned one after another and began to rebuild their homes. Xu Wei gave great support within his authority, and there were always about four or five thousand troops in the Hujie Township Army that could be mobilized at any time to assist the people.

After recovering Huaxian, the thieves of Phoenix Mountain made great contributions, and the white-fronted beast thieves also surrendered a lot, as well as the refugees who fled from Hedong, the sum of the three exceeded 70,000. Although Xu Wei has the power to expand the army, there is no fixed amount. But as soon as he recruits soldiers very strictly, not all cats and dogs can enlist in the army. Second, I don't want to attract the suspicion of some people when my foothold is not stable. Therefore, out of 70,000 people, less than 4,000 were singled out. And what about the rest? If the court doesn't give them a way out, these people will take risks and pick up knives to find their own way out.

Xu Wei was so anxious about this matter that he visited, discussed, and finally came up with a solution. Due to the military disaster in Dingrong, the aborigines suffered a lot of losses, leaving many borderless lands. These defectors, thieves, and fugitive refugees can be gathered together and given land for cultivation, which can not only stabilize the situation, but also increase the harvest. This plan was reported to Jingzhao, and Li Gang thought it was feasible and reported it to Tokyo. The ruling in the court was so noisy by the ministers that his face was red and his neck was thick, who had the leisure to take care of this little thing? He Li, the right servant of Shangshu and the servant of the door, waved his pen and agreed, and did so!

Since the imperial court approved it, Li Gang also supported it. After giving Dingrong a sum of money and a batch of supplies, Xu Wei then gathered the homeless people and the thieves who surrendered to Chengcheng, selected young and middle-aged people to be organized as village soldiers, issued rations and utensils, built permanent camps in dangerous places such as Shaohua Mountain, and sent Hujie officers to command and control them. Farming when you are busy, practicing when you are free, anyway, you don't need a penny of military salary, and you can consolidate the defense of Dingrong, why not?

If there is a lot of excitement on Dingrong's side, then Tokyo is simply exploding. Since the establishment of the "Detailed Discussion Division", an institution that can discuss ancestral family law, there has not been a day without incident. When appointing personnel, ministers have to fight and quarrel, and the system is improved, not to mention.

Through the two southern invasions of the Jin army, Zhao Huan also began to gradually understand. If you continue to wear this old garment, sooner or later you will be naked. The purpose of this "detailed deliberation division" was to examine the shortcomings of the existing system and propose countermeasures. However, the young emperor seems to have overestimated his own power and underestimated the minister's backlash.

Before the death of Tane Shidao, there was a last word, suggesting that the emperor retreat to Guanzhong and choose a good minister to guard Tokyo instead. At the time, he didn't care, but now that he thinks about it, if he had heard the opinions of his loyal ministers, how could he have trembled and feared in the city of Tokyo. Therefore, he referred this suggestion to the "Detailed Division" and asked the ministers to discuss whether it was feasible.

As a result, except for Xu Shao, He Li, and Zhe Yanzhen, almost all the ministers expressed opposition. It is said that Tokyo is where the emperor is located, and if the Son of Heaven abandons the Beijing Division, it will definitely cause shock to the world and even shake the country's foundation. This is the way to get rid of evil, and it must not be done.

This article could not be agreed, and he instructed Huang Qianshan to propose another one. The Jin people came to attack twice, and the imperial court followed the ancestral family law, leading the troops with Wenchen, and the result was defeated again and again. Today's situation is more complicated and dangerous, is it expedient to be flexible, in case of war, this command and control, or is it controlled by military ministers?

This article is in a better situation, and five of the twelve ministers of the department agree with it. There is a sequence of hearing the Tao, there is a specialization in the art industry, grasping the major policies, emcee administration, and educating people's hearts, which is the director of Wenchen. Arrange troops, attack cities and seize land, this is the specialty of military ministers. The situation is so that it has to be flexible.

But the opposition is just as fierce, but the excuses are all the same. What is the "ancestral family law", what is "the military minister is in charge of the cardinal, knows the secret, and it is not good for the country", or Zhao Kuangyin will be moved out. It gave the emperor a headache.

Forbidden, talk about the school review square in front of the martial arts. Zhao Huan drooped his head, put his hands behind his back, and walked forward slowly. The privy envoy Xu Shao followed behind him, walking unhurriedly, and sighed five times while counting the official family from the Chinese book. It is no wonder that the detailed discussion department has been in operation for so long, and the result is only a few personnel appointments. In terms of big policies, nothing has been gained.

"Alas......" the emperor sighed for the sixth time, especially heavily. Standing on this square, looking around, he suddenly said to Xu Shao behind him, "Xu Qing, I am in danger, and for more than two years, there has not been a day without worrying. Only one day, I am very happy, do you know which day? ”

Xu Shao lowered his head and replied: "The minister took the liberty to guess, wasn't it the day when Xu Zhang led the army into the forbidden and was taken prisoner?" ”

"Not bad! Only that day, I am heartily excited! Thinking about how rampant the Jurchens were, they fell into two rivers in just a few months, broke Xijing, and almost threatened the Jingshi. But the result? All the way, the five-way Western Army led by Xu Zhangtong forced back, and all the way he forced Xu Wei back to Yanyun. That day, I understood one thing, there was no way to heaven and no one. As long as you are determined, there is always a way! Zhao Huan looked a little excited, and waved his hand, quite arrogant.

But in the blink of an eye, he sighed again, and sighed for the seventh time: "But the Jurchens are eyeing the north, and today is gone, and tomorrow is coming, and I can't always be tired of coping." Therefore, I opened this 'detailed division' to seek flexibility, but it ......"

Xu Shao saw that he was a little discouraged, and persuaded: "Your Majesty, don't worry, such a matter related to the fortunes of the country cannot be rushed. ”

Zhao Huan suddenly turned around and said loudly: "How can I not be in a hurry? Gao Shiyou, Li Zhi, the two traitors, have already swallowed half of my two rivers! This is the inheritance left by our ancestors, how can it be defeated in my hands! He has sunset nine springs, what face do I have to see the previous kings? ”

Xu Shao was stunned by his roar, and Shaanxi reported one after another, but the official family never expressed his position. I thought he didn't care, but I didn't expect it to be in my heart. The emperor in front of him is no longer as immature as when he first ascended the throne, at least, he has begun to have his own ideas and no longer blindly listens to the minister. Hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty is angry." ”

Zhao Huan probably also realized that he was out of shape, sighed for the eighth time, and continued to move forward: "I also know that the country has a deep accumulation of evils, and it can't be changed in a year and a half, but time is not waiting for me. The fall of the two rivers is a foregone conclusion, and from now on, the Jin people and I will only be separated by a big river, and they may cross south at any time. It's hateful, the ministers don't think of the country's monarch and father, and stick to the old rules! Although Tokyo is rich, it is indeed the painstaking management of the previous kings, but there is no danger to defend here, which is more dangerous than Guanzhong? I didn't say anything about moving the capital, I just said that I was retreating, but look at the faces of the ministers......"

Xu Shao stopped when he heard this, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty is the king of a country, and when necessary, you still need to be dictatorial." ”

Zhao Huan glanced back at him, and the latter obviously felt a trace of excitement flashing in the emperor's eyes, but it disappeared after a while, shook his head and said: "My talent and resourcefulness are not as good as my ancestors, and what I can rely on is to employ people." The ruling of the DPRK and the central government is promoted by me, how can I ......"

Xu Shao walked two steps quickly, came to him, and bowed again: "Your Majesty, the ministers open their mouths about the country and shut up about the ancestral system." What is the national capital? In the minister's view, His Majesty is the foundation of a country! Gao Li Er's rebellion embezzled the two rivers, and the imperial court was temporarily unable to control it. Tokyo is exposed, there is nothing to rely on, once the war breaks out, the people of Di Yi's wolf heart can drive straight in! If Your Majesty loses, it will really shake the foundation of the country! ”

Zhao Huan smiled bitterly when he heard this, and praised Xu Shao's hand: "Ai Qingguo is a loyal minister, your Xu family is planning for me in the court, and the bloody battle is on the battlefield, I know it in my heart." These words are sincere and sincere, and people are moved to hear them. But Xu Shao didn't dare to think so, if he accompanied the king like a tiger, and if he was also "tender and sweet", the official family must have told Li Gang a lot, but now?

"By the way, does Xu Jiu have any news?" Zhao Huan suddenly changed the subject.

Xu Shao knew that the Son of Heaven was having a headache now, and he didn't want to mention these troubles in the court, so he replied smoothly: "Back to Your Majesty, Xu Wei led the army into Dingrong, and it took more than ten days to recover the city. Now it is resuming production and recuperating with the people. ”

Zhao Huan nodded frequently: "Nengchen!" Ganchen! I just want this kind of young talent! Hardworking, aggressive, fearless! Good! That's really good! With that, he slammed his fist into the air as if he had taken a hard breath.

Xu Shao thought to himself, although young people dare to fight and dare to break through, but we old ministers don't eat dry food, right?

The two monarchs and ministers were talking, and suddenly saw Geng Nanzhong, the left servant of Shangshu and the servant of the door, almost trotting over. This guy already had a pimple face, and at this time, or because of his anger, his face was almost distorted. Fortunately, Zhao Huan is not like his Lao Tzu, so he can judge his ministers by his appearance, otherwise he would be ugly to dig a dung pit.

"Your Majesty! Honglu Temple has just reported that the envoys of the Jin State have passed through Huazhou and are coming to Tokyo. Geng Nanzhong said breathlessly, and after finishing speaking, he glanced at Xu Shao, frowning slightly.

What the? Envoy of the Kingdom of Jin? What are you doing again? Do you still want to pour ** soup into me? Don't! You Jurchens are just talking about flowers, and I also know that you are all Diyi beasts who harbor evil intentions and turn their faces without grace!

With a fire in his heart, Zhao Huan said impatiently: "Let Honglu Temple receive it according to etiquette." ”

Geng Nanzhong was stunned, this is the envoy of the Jin State, according to the usual practice, in addition to Honglu Siqing, he also has to send a minister in an important position as a representative of the imperial court to receive him personally, how can Your Majesty ...... Just wanted to ask, Zhao Huan had already flicked his sleeves: "That's it, you can go by yourself." ”

Looking at the back of the emperor in a hurry, Xu Shao seemed to be smiling, and Geng Nanzhong was confused. The two powerful ministers with heavy handles in their hands stood there without saying a word for a long time.

After a long time, Geng Nanzhong snorted from his nose first, and when Xu Shao heard it, he smiled and said, "Geng Xiang, who is this humming?" ”

"Hmph, Privy Counsellor, I heard that your nephew is now recruiting troops in Shaanxi, accepting the Quartet of displaced people and thieves, and sending people to contact the Hedong Righteous Army, what is he trying to do?" Geng Nanzhong asked angrily.

Xu Shao sneered and sneered: "Xu Wei's troops do not set a quota, this is approved by the official family. Accepting displaced people from all over the world and recruiting thieves is to stabilize the place. As for contacting the Hedong Righteous Army, doesn't Geng Xiang know that he is the 'head of the Hedong Righteous Army'? Hey, it's strange, you are a dignified prime minister, you don't worry about military and political affairs, but you care about my nephew, when did Geng Xiang be so friendly to the Xu family? Geng Nanzhong almost didn't get up after hearing this, stared at Xu Shao for a long time, and walked away.

In mid-June, the envoys of the Kingdom of Jin arrived in Tokyo. After all, Zhao Huan still sent Shangshu Youcheng Huang Qianshan to receive him. The Jurchens came back this time, in terms of etiquette, they were not as rude as Wang Ne in the past, they bowed when they should worship and knelt when they should kneel, but when they spoke, they were still aggressive. This time, the Jin envoy entered the Song Dynasty and brought the letter of state that the Jin Emperor Wu begged to buy, to make peace with the Great Song Dynasty, to be good neighbors with each other, and promised never to invade each other. Of course, there are prerequisites. This condition was that the Southern Dynasty should recognize Taiyuan, Zhending, and Hejian as the territory of the Jin State, and return the Jin soldiers captured by the Song army, especially Hanfang.

When the ministers of Tokyo first heard about it, they were puzzled, Taiyuan and other three towns had been occupied by Gao Shi and Li Zhi, and the Jin Kingdom was now sending envoys to come, wouldn't it be too much? But people of insight can see through the tricks of the Jurchens at a glance, once the Great Song Dynasty court nods this head, it is equivalent to recognizing the legitimacy of Gao Li Er's occupation of the territory of the Great Song Dynasty. In this way, the rebels against the Jurchens in Lianghe became a nameless army, and the people of Lianghe were cut off.

Xu Shao, He Li, Zhe Yanzhi and other important ministers successively wrote to the Son of Heaven, requesting the refusal of all conditions of the Jin people. The Jurchens have no reputation, and no three-year-old child will believe them. It is recommended that the Jin envoys be expelled from Tokyo, and let them convey to the Emperor of the Jin State that the two rivers are the inherent territory of the Great Song Dynasty, and the ancestral inheritance must be protected! Although the Southern Dynasty is now unable to control the two rivers, at least it cannot admit defeat...... However, Geng Nanzhong and others believe that the Jurchens are unkind and ruthless, but if they reject the other party's request completely, they are afraid that it will anger the Jin State and provoke them to raise troops again. Why don't you just promise to return the captives?

Zhao Huan was probably too aggrieved in the "Detailed Discussion Division", and finally adopted the opinions of Xu Shao and others, hardened himself, and refused all the unreasonable demands of Jin Guo! The news came out, which made the ministers of the main war faction of the imperial court feel very encouraged for a while! After Li Gang, who was far away in Shaanxi, heard the news, he also happily wrote to Xu Wei and said that the variables began from here!

Xu Wei is not as optimistic as him, when he was in Wuma Mountain, Ma Kuo once said. Once the Jurchens began to encroach on the two rivers, they would look for an opportunity to seek legitimacy to occupy the two rivers, but they did not expect it to come so quickly. It is estimated that the Jurchens' mind is to first turn the occupation of Taiyuan and other three towns into a fait accompli and a legal fact, and then gradually move forward. Within a year or two, let their puppets fully occupy Hedong, Hebei, and at that time, the Jin army has recovered its vitality and may invade again. In the past two years, if the Great Song Dynasty has not made drastic rectifications, especially in the army, it will be ...... In late June, Li Gang, the Xuanfu envoy of the Fifth Route of Shaanxi, summoned the military and political chiefs of various roads, prefectures, armies, and prefectures in eastern Shaanxi to Jingzhao to discuss countermeasures in view of the deterioration of the current situation in Hedong and the possibility of endangering Shaanxi. Xu Wei entrusted the affairs of the general to Wang Yan and Wu Jie, and the government affairs to Zhang Qing, first went to Tongzhou, and rushed to Jingzhao with the fourth brother Xu Sheng.

Jingzhao Mansion, Chang'an also, many dynasties have built their capitals here, to the founding of the Great Song Dynasty, although the capital is set in Kaifeng, but still attaches great importance to this, it is the military and political center of Shaanxi Five Routes. Although the glory of this ancient capital of several dynasties is not there, it is still difficult to hide the king's atmosphere. The two brothers Xu Si and Xu Jiu entered the city, marveled at the grandeur of Chang'an, and thought of the prosperity of the Han and Tang dynasties. Li Jing ran a long distance and captured the enemy chieftain alive, what a glory and what a majesty! Today, the country is still the same, but it is ...... There was no time to sigh more, and the two brothers went directly to the office of the ambassador. The Xuanfu envoy is an important person who represents the imperial court and controls the military and political affairs of one party, and the government office is not only magnificent, but also heavily guarded, even the military and political dignitaries in various places are not allowed to trespass. But when the two brothers Xu Si and Xu Jiu arrived at the yamen, they just got off the horse and reported their identities, and a guard came to hold the reins, and someone came to lead, saying that they had already made a decree to proclaim the prime minister, and if the Xu brothers came, they would go straight inside, and there was no need to report it.

entered the government office, and under the guidance of the little official, he went to a place. The brothers of the Xu family are all in the army, and they don't want to be luxurious and exquisite, but when they see the furnishings here, they still can't help but feel sad. The dignified Xuanfu minister, there is only one table and a few chairs in the living room, and there is not even a screen to illuminate the wall! Li Gang's level of important ministers, his income is quite considerable, not so shabby, right?

When he was sighing, he heard the sound of footsteps behind him, and when he looked back, he saw Li Gang wearing cloth clothes and entering proudly. I remember that the first time Xu Wei saw him was when he entered Beijing with the seed master, and he was greeted by an edict. At that time, Xu Wei was very surprised, he thought that this person, who was respected as a national hero in history textbooks, should be dignified and magnificent, but he was actually a farmer. Now that I see him wearing a cloth robe, he looks more like a farmer...... "Xun Chen!" Ziang! As soon as Li Gang came in, he called out to the Xu family brothers like elders. The two hurriedly stepped forward and wanted to make a big salute, but Li Gang held them with both hands, asked them to sit down, and ordered the servants to serve tea.

Xu Wei took a sip and felt bitter and astringent, this is also called tea? I said Xuanfu Xianggong, you are too economical, right? To show that you are fair and honest, you don't have to be so deliberate.

He didn't drink the right tea, but he still didn't move on the surface. But Xu Sheng was an upright person, and immediately frowned. Li Gang saw it in his eyes, put down the teacup and smiled: "What? Can't get used to drinking? Be content, you and I are both court officials, with rooftops to shelter from the wind and rain, and tea and rice to satisfy hunger. But now on the border of the two rivers, I don't know how many people are starving and have no fixed place to live. ”

If these words came out of the mouths of other officials, Xu Wei would have scolded him for hypocrisy in his heart. But the sad look on Li Gang's face when he said this could never be pretended.

"Xuanfu is worried about the country and the people, and I am really admired for his humble duties." Xu Sheng said sincerely.

Li Gang smiled bitterly when he heard this, Xu Wei saw it in his eyes, and thought to himself that as the saying goes, good people are not rewarded, and this seems to be really reasonable. Loyal ministers are definitely more difficult to do than traitors, and Fan Zhongyan is "high in the temple, and he is worried about his people." is far away from the rivers and lakes, and we are worried about the king", and we, the minister of Xuanfu, are good, and we are worried about the king and the people all the time. It's just a pity, born in such an era, with such an emperor, what's the use of worrying about you?