Chapter 682: Chasing the Wind and Shadows

On the vertical arch hall, Zhao Chen's face was bloodless, his eyes were bloodshot, yawning again and again, and he was obviously extremely tired. And Zheng Gangzhong didn't arrive for a long time, so he had to wait and drink the cup of strong tea, hoping to refresh himself.

After a while, Zheng Gangzhong quickly walked into the hall and bowed and said: "Minister Zheng Gangzhong, declare that Sichuan and Shaanxi will return to the dynasty and return to Your Majesty." ”

Zhao Chen opened his eyes vigorously, stretched out his hand and said, "Zheng Qing got up and spoke." ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zheng Gang paused, then got up to consult.

Zhao Chen didn't ask about Lianliao Tuxia first, but asked: "This time Zheng Qing preached Sichuan and Shaanxi, where have you been to?" ”

"The minister entered the Sichuan from Jinghu Lake, and visited the state capitals along the way until Chengdu. Then, he went all the way north to Xingyuan, and then followed the officials of the Xuanfu Division of Sichuan and Shaanxi to the newly captured Xiliang Mansion. Zheng Gangzhong replied.

"What is the situation in Sichuan and Shaanxi? Sichuan has suffered from the war of support, has it ever recovered? Shaanxi has been experiencing military disasters for a long time, how is the reconstruction situation? Are the officials in the various divisions and localities doing their duty? Has there been any violation of the law? Zhao Chen asked repeatedly.

Zheng Gangzhong then expressed his views on what he had seen, heard, and interviewed. He believes that although Sichuan still supports Shaanxi, the situation has improved a lot. In particular, Zhao Kai, the transit envoy of Sichuan, changed the wine and tea method in the case of increasing the burden on the people, and the results were very great, and the annual increase in wealth was calculated by millions of yuan. And the reconstruction of Shaanxi, I have to say, can be described as fast. Judging from the prefectures and counties he visited, Xu Wei and other important officials from Sichuan and Shaanxi spared no effort to recruit the displaced people and provided policy support to enable them to rebuild their homes. Nowadays, in all parts of Shaanxi, it is rare to see barren fields, but you can see the newly built houses of the people everywhere. In time, Shaanxi will be able to regain its former prosperity.

As for the officials in the various departments and localities, they are generally quite competent. It's just that in comparison, there is a difference between the laziness of Sichuan officials and the aggressiveness of Shaanxi officials. After he arrived in Sichuan, some magistrates even impeached Zhao Kai against him, saying that Zhao Kai's change of law had caused many people to go bankrupt. But according to his verification, the situation is not true, and many of the people Zhao Kai got rid of were former officials and businessmen.

All in all, after the recovery of Shaanxi and the temporary extinguishment of the wolf smoke, Sichuan and Shaanxi have recovered and developed to a certain extent, and the situation is still good.

Zhao Chen was very happy when he heard this, and praised: "In the past, many ministers said that Xu Wei was a military minister, and it was probably inappropriate for him to guard the place on behalf of the Son of Heaven." Now it seems that Xu Wei can still do it. ”

Zheng Gangzhong immediately said: "This is exactly what the minister is worried about. ”

When Zhao Chen heard this, he was very surprised and asked, "How do you say it?" ”

"Xu Wei can really do it, but the problem is that he is too good." Zheng Gangzhong's words have some deep meaning. "The minister is in Shaanxi, and he sees that the western army is strong and strong, and the morale is high, and both officers and soldiers are actively yearning to regain the lost territory."

"Is there a problem with this?" Zhao Chen was puzzled. The soldiers are strong, the morale is high, and the soldiers are willing to regain the lost land, isn't this exactly what the imperial court wants?

"When the minister went, it coincided with the capture of Ganzhou by the Khitans, and the two sides sent envoys to discuss Tuxia matters in Xiliangfu." Zheng Gang said. Zhao Chen was particularly interested in this matter, moved his body, and listened with peace of mind.

At that time, the minister believed that what King Xu Jun asked for was nothing more than the several states occupied by the Western Army. Who knows, as soon as Ma Kuo, the staff officer and military officer who negotiated on behalf of the Sichuan-Shaanxi Xuanfu Disposal Division, opened his mouth, he wanted one capital in the four prefectures of Hexi, as well as the land of Kyushu bordering Shaanxi! Zheng Gangzhong mentioned this at this time, and it seemed a little incredible.

What's even more incredible is Zhao Chen, who hurriedly asked: "Hexi Sizhou, weren't they beaten down by the Khitans?" How can it be given to Da Song for nothing? ”

The minister also thought so, but unexpectedly, the Khitans actually agreed. The two sides agreed that the Great Song Dynasty would temporarily lend the four states of Hexi to the Liao army to gain a foothold, and return it after recovering the lost land. Zheng Gang said.

Zhao Chen was pleasantly surprised: "Isn't this a good thing? ”

"Your Majesty listened to the minister." Zheng Gangzhong reminded. After that, Song Liao sent envoys to Xia to ask for the land to be ceded. Our envoy was expelled, and the king of Xu Jun was furious, so he sent the troops of Jingyuan Shuaisi to join the Liao army, as well as Xiao Heda, who rebelled against Xia, and the three-way soldiers and horses into the Xiping Mansion.

Mo said that King Xu Jun was furious, and Zhao Chen was also angry when he heard it: "Insulting the envoy is like insulting my dynasty!" It is time to send troops to fight before relieving hatred! ”

Zheng Gangzhong continued: "The party sent troops to reinforce, but they were defeated by the Jingyuan army and the Liao army, and retreated to the city, holding out. The Lord of Xia was helpless, so he could only send an envoy to Shaanxi to ask to see the king of Xujun. ”

When Zhao Chen heard this, he couldn't help but be fascinated! Immediately, he was completely sleepy, and sighed: "The king went deep into the enemy's territory, defeated his army, besieged his city, and forced him to send an envoy to sue for peace. ”

Zheng Gangzhong glanced at the emperor in surprise, and said: "Lord Xia sent Wang Shu, the secretary of the Privy Council, who arrived at Xingyuan Mansion and was hung in the pavilion for five days by King Xujun and was not received. Wang Shu first sent people to inquire and urge every day, and then he personally came forward to ask for a meeting, and it was not until the sixth day that King Xu Jun received him. ”

Zhao Chen laughed when he heard this: "Xu Wei had the intention to marry Xixia, but the party members didn't appreciate it. Now that the party members are asking for the door, he naturally wants to hold it. ”

"When I met with Wang Shu, the minister was also present. That scene is still fresh in the minister's memory. Wang Shu, with the respect of an envoy of a country, did not dare to breathe in front of King Xujun, from beginning to end, he lowered his head and spoke, almost begging. King Xu Jun and the officials of this department were facing all kinds of wrongs in the party, Wang Shu first quibbled in every way, and then he was speechless at all. Later, it was Zhang Jun who came forward to play a round game, so that he could go down the steps. Subsequently, he promised to cede one of the thirteen prefectures to the Song Dynasty, and terminated the vassal relationship with the Jurchens, and formed an alliance with the Song Liao to jointly deal with the Jin State. Zheng Gangzhong recounted the whole story.

After Zhao Chen listened, he said with a smile: "Zheng Qing, I listened to your words, all kinds of eyebrows were raised, where did your worries come from?" ”

Zheng Gangzhong said when he heard this: "Your Majesty, the king of Xujun can manage the troops when he gets on the horse, and he can manage the people when he gets off the horse. The soldier respects him like a father, Di Yi is afraid of him like a tiger, if he has an idea, it will be a big disaster! ”

Zhao Chen frowned when he heard this: "Is your words grounded?" Could it be that you entered Sichuan and Shaanxi, and Xu Wei had a high-flying and domineering behavior that did not respect the imperial court? Or is it despised for you and has no courtesy? ”

Zheng Gangzhong paused and replied truthfully: "When the minister entered Sichuan and Shaanxi, King Xu Jun personally greeted him, and when he left, he personally sent him off." Talking with the minister, it is quite polite, and he also asks the minister's opinion in case of trouble, and there is no arrogant attitude. ”

Zhao Chen said in a deep voice: "This is strange, Xu Wei behaves so decently, why do you suspect that he has two hearts?" ”

Zheng Gangzhong hurriedly explained: "The minister did not suspect that King Xu Jun had two hearts, but just reminded His Majesty that he had to guard against it. ”

"Zheng Qing, I don't know if your words don't match the preamble, or I didn't sleep last night and lost my spirit, why can't I understand it? According to your account, Xu Wei behaved appropriately and feared the imperial court, but you said that you would guard against him, what is the reason? Zhao Chen was a little unhappy.

Zheng Gangzhong seemed to be confused, and he didn't know what to say anymore. In fact, his behavior is very easy to explain, the Great Song Dynasty established the country, and "ruled the world with scholars", so these civil officials naturally have a sense of mission, they must not only be loyal to the emperor, but also to this country and this court. Coupled with the influence of the national policy of "promoting literature and suppressing martial arts", they have a natural defensive and vigilant mentality towards military ministers.

Zheng Gangzhong went to Sichuan and Shaanxi this time, and what he saw was Xu Wei's credit and majesty. Xu Wei said that he wanted more than a dozen state capitals, and the party did not dare not give it. This shocked him, and he was faintly uneasy, and he always felt that such a commander with hundreds of thousands of troops was too capable and not a good thing.

"What the minister means is to prevent the slightest slight. King Xu Jun has great power and high merit, and he has won the hearts of the military and is a potential threat to the imperial court. What's more, most of the children of the Xu family hold important positions in the Western Army, and Xu Xiang is in power in the DPRK, how can he not guard against it? Zheng Gangzhong finally said.

Zhao Chen didn't know if he heard it, he didn't speak for a while, and then said: "What you said, if you say it in front of me, you will lose it, don't spread it, the impact is not good." ”

"Obey." Zheng Gangzhong bowed his head and said.

"Okay, it's hard to go back and forth, let's go." Zhao Chen waved his hand.

After Zheng Gangzhong retired, Zhao Chen sat still and didn't move, thinking about the other party's words repeatedly. It is true that Xu Wei controlled the 200,000 Western Army, as well as many archers, soldiers, village soldiers, brave and strong, and the four major Xuanfu envoys, he was the most powerful. Moreover, he still has the right to "dispose of", and he has the convenience of deposing officials in Sichuan and Shaanxi, and it is true that he has great power. Moreover, his merits are extremely high, and his prestige is extremely high, and the potential threat that Zheng Gangzhong mentioned is not empty.

However, his personnel were quite loyal, and he invited himself to the Hajj several times as a border commander, which was not easy. Moreover, he is also humble and does not compete for fame, and when he was named the king of the county first, he insisted on not accepting it. In his own words, the edict of the Son of Heaven guards the place, and there is no need for high-ranking officials to show their prestige. It should be said that he is still a very good person, except that he is a former minister of the Emperor Taishang who makes him mind a little, and the others really can't find any máo disease.

However, Xu Wei has a lot of power, and most of the children of the Xu family hold important positions in the Western Army, and Xu Liang is still in power in the court, which is indeed a threat.

But then again, if Xu Wei hadn't held great power, if it weren't for the fact that most of the Xu family's children were in the Western Army, would he have been able to achieve today's achievements? The Western Army has always been unruly, and disobedience has occurred from time to time, and the successive Xuanfu envoys sent by the imperial court have not been able to unify the command of the Western Army. The reason why Xu Wei was able to do it was inseparable from his brothers and nephews holding important positions. Things have to be seen from both sides, there are advantages and disadvantages, and what the emperor has to do is to distinguish the advantages and disadvantages and make wise decisions.

After thinking for a while, Zhao Chen stood up on his knees and said, "Swing, Deshou Palace." ”

On the way, Shen Ze asked: "Zheng Gangzhong's words, although there is no basis, but he is also loyal to the monarch and the country. ”

Zhao Chen didn't say anything else, only one sentence: "Xu Wei is also a loyal minister." ”

That being said, Zheng Gangzhong's remarks still gave Zhao Chen a little wake-up. Xu Wei's power is indeed too great, and the military, political, financial, and personnel powers in Sichuan and Shaanxi are all in his hands. Of course, this is forced by the situation and has to be so, and Xu Wei himself has always been cautious, but it is still necessary to remind him. Everything you have is given by me.

Soon, Zhao Chen issued an edict that the power of the Sichuan and Shaanxi Xuanfu Disposal Division to "act cheaply" remained the same, but the right to depose the emperor was withdrawn. In other words, Xu Wei no longer had the power to appoint and dismiss officials in Sichuan and Shaanxi.

The edict was transmitted to Xingyuan Mansion, and Xu Wei knew it.

September, Shaanxi, Yongxing Army.

The Yongxing Army is the former Jingzhao Mansion, and the military city is the former Chang'an County. Yongxing Shuai Yang Yan, Xu Wei's hardcore brother, after serving as the commander, he is quite competent, whether it is training or camping, he has made achievements. Xu Wei took the opportunity of inspecting the place this time to go to Chang'an to participate in his sixth marriage.

Yang Yan couldn't see it well when he was in Xiajin County, the Daimyo Mansion, but later became an official, and gradually lù out of his nature. It's just a good sè, it's not enough to take five concubines, and now I want a sixth one. And this guy is not at a high level, and four of Na's concubines are from Fengchen.

On this day, the guests of the Yang Mansion gathered. Speaking of which, Yang Yan has no skin and no face, he accepts a concubine, and he is the sixth concubine, and he is replaced by someone else, but he is afraid of low-key treatment. He's good, just like marrying a wife, and he does it in a big way. In addition to banqueting his colleagues and subordinates, he even posted a post to Xingyuan.

He didn't want to make money, and he felt that taking a concubine was a big deal, and he couldn't forget the old brothers. Therefore, he didn't expect Xu Wei and Zhang Qing to come.

At the gate of Yang's Mansion, there was a bridge that stopped, and the servants kept leading the horses for the guests, which was very lively.

Xu Wei and Zhang Qing rode over from afar, and Xu Wei rode his sweaty BMW, which was really eye-catching, so he was quickly recognized by the people on the street. In Chang'an City, is there anyone who doesn't know him?

"Look at how thick-skinned that guy is, and he's still doing a lot here." Zhang Qing scolded with a smile.

Xu Wei also smiled and shook his head: "It's helpless, I've come to Chang'an, it's not good if I don't go." ”

The two of them arrived at the gate of Yang's mansion, and at first, the people who came in and out had not yet recognized them. Until an official bumped into Zhang Qing, the two looked at each other, and suddenly found that this was Zhang Xiangyi of the Xuanfu Disposal Division, and the official hurriedly apologized: "If you are not careless for a while, don't blame the opportunity." ”

After that, he looked to the side, and immediately bowed his head and said, "I've seen the king." ”

"Don't be formal." Xu Wei waved his hand.

The steward of the Yang Mansion was also busy meeting guests, and he didn't recognize them until Xu Wei and Zhang Qing came to him. In the courtyard, there were already tables and seats, and those sitting outside were all middle and lower-ranking officers in the army, and these people loved to talk and make noise endlessly. Xu Wei didn't want them to be restrained, so he lowered his head all the way in. That's it, and it also made the officers laugh, look at those two birds, how can this eating and drinking wine be like violating the king's law, bow your head and confess your guilt?

When I got to the inside, I was sitting a senior official from the Yongxing Economic Strategy Pacification Division. These people have a high status, so their recuperation is naturally different, they all talk to each other, and they are not like the vegetable market outside. Seeing Xu Wei and Zhang Qing coming in, all the officials were taken aback and hurriedly stepped forward to salute.

"The king, please take a seat, and the villain will go and ask for a minister." After the steward shì Feng Xu Wei and Zhang Qing sat down, he ran away.

"Sit all down, you're welcome." Xu Wei kept pressing his hands. Yongxing Shuaisi's troops can basically be regarded as separated from Xu Wei's subordinates. Because when Yang Yan formed the Yongxing Army, the team was Li Cheng, Liang Xing and other surrendered troops, as well as the one brought out from Qin Feng's army. These people are all Xu Wei's old subordinates, and now when they see the old chief, they are naturally very happy and cordial, and they greet each other.

After a while, Yang Yan, who was dressed in red and green, and had a head full of huā branches, broke into the hall, and when he saw Xu Wei and Zhang Qing, he was overjoyed! Quickly stepped forward, his hand arched, and he was about to make a big salute, Xu Wei grabbed it: "Come on, if you have a happy event today, don't make a big salute." ”

"I've seen the king in my humble position, thank you for your face!" Yang Yan was a little moved.

"Less of this! The king and I are inspecting the place, passing through Chang'an along the way, and the left and right stomachs are also hungry and thirsty, so we came to have a meal and beg for a glass of wine, but we didn't prepare a gift money for you. "Zhang Qing is serious.

Yang Yan laughed and said: "The king can come, he is already a big face, how dare he ask for gifts?" Ha ha! Free! Free! I can't eat, I go around! A sentence of celebration made the hall laugh.

Zhang Qingbai glanced at him: "You just walked around!" Take it! After finishing speaking, he took out a letter of money from his bosom and sent it. Xu Wei also took the gift money and handed it to him, and said with a smile: "You pickled talent, be careful of your body." ”

"Yes, yes, follow the king's teachings." Yang Yan accepted the gift with a smile and handed it to the steward. Then he commanded, "You go and receive the guests, and I must accompany the king here." ”

"That's it, don't greet me, what should you do, I'm just going to talk to your officials to see if you have any mistakes." Xu Wei said with a smile.

As soon as these words came out, the above martial arts laughed and said: "Yang Jingluo, if you don't call the brothers to drink this wine today, don't be afraid that we will sue you for being black!" ”

Yang Yan kept talking: "Brothers, please report according to the truth, in front of the king, you can't talk nonsense!" After a few more jokes, I went out.

Xu Weisui chatted with the officials of the Economic Strategy Division, asking nothing more than about the progress of reconstruction, stability in the army, and so on. After Yang Yan greeted him, he hurried over to accompany Xu Wei. The sixth concubine he accepted was a shì girl in his house. provoked everyone to laugh at him, and the rabbit didn't eat the grass next to the nest.

With enough wine and food, enough jokes, and the guests gradually dispersed. Xu Wei and Zhang Qing were invited to the huā hall to serve tea, Yang Yan was also sensible at this point, and the guests had not finished sending, so they came to sit together and accompany them, and naturally they were inevitably ridiculed by Zhang Qing again.

After saying a while, Yang Yan suddenly said: "King, how did you hear that the imperial court has taken your power?" ”

Xu Wei took a sip of tea, put the cup down, and said unashamedly: "It's just the right to be dethroned, and there is nothing to do." ”

Yang Yan was a little unhappy: "Brother Jiu is in Sichuan and Shaanxi, he is well governed, and there has never been any mistakes, why is the imperial court like this?" Isn't it which jiān minister into the slander, mother! ”

"Don't talk." Zhang Qing reminded.

"How is this Luàn saying? What happened to Sichuan and Shaanxi back then, don't you know? Who recovered it? And who governs? I don't need to ask you, let's go out of the city and pull a farmer casually, you ask him, and he keeps it and says it's the ninth brother! Yang Yan was indignant.