Seeing that Wang Ciweng refused to accept it, and threatened him with Fu Xianxiang, Xu Wei did not force him again. But Wang Ciweng knew in his heart that now that Xu Wei has come to power and holds the power of Sichuan and Shaanxi, I am afraid that he will not be able to tolerate him. Just when the "Sichuan Shaanxi Xuanfu Disposal Division" moved to Xingyuan, he took the initiative to hand over his resignation. But he didn't hand it over to Xu Wei, but reported directly to Hangzhou Xingchao, trying to sue Xu Wei for a complaint.

Without getting the approval of the imperial court, he stayed in Mianzhou and refused to go to Xingyuan Mansion to take charge of official business. Xu Wei issued an order to relieve him of the dispatch of the "staff military" of the Xuanfu Disposal Division. As for Zhang Jun, Zijin Tiger cared about his old love in the past and did not embarrass him. But in Xingyuan Mansion, Xu Wei had a long talk, hoping that he could do his part. Zhang Jun also said at this time that he was indeed wrong before, and he would definitely abide by his duty in the future.

After taking Wang Ciweng, Xu Wei did not make any further changes to other Sichuan officials in the Xuanfu Disposal Division. As soon as the new official took office, many eyes were staring. If the action is too big, it will inevitably leave a bad impression. Second, as the rear of Shaanxi, Sichuan needs stability.

However, in view of the fact that most of the adjutants of this department were Xu Churen's old team as the Sichuan Xuanfu envoy, in order to effectively control the political situation in Sichuan, Xu Wei deliberately placed his own people in. Wang Ciweng was dismissed, and Xu Wei used his henchman Ma Guang to become the "Sichuan Shaanxi Xuanfu Disposal Department Staff Officer".

At this time, Xu Wei also considered that since he was the supreme governor of Sichuan and Shaanxi, it was a little inappropriate to have Qin Fenglu's pacification envoy and the head of the soldiers and horses, and planned to resign from this assignment and let Wu Jue take over. But after thinking about it, although he said that he was a chief, he did not correct it after all, which showed that Hangzhou still had doubts. In addition, after all, the Sichuan-Shaanxi Xuanfu Disposal Division is a temporary, or wartime central dispatch agency, and it is unknown if it is dismissed in the future. Although many of the generals in the Western Army were their brothers and subordinates, they were always more stable in holding the military power all the way, so they gave up.

After the Xuanfu Disposal Division moved to Xingyuan, Xu Wei moved his family here. It is not difficult to see that the Purple Gold Tiger is eager to flex his wrists and strengthen his control over Sichuan. At present, Sichuan is recuperating and recuperating, Shaanxi is recovering and rebuilding, there are no major contradictions, and everything is based on development.

After arriving in Xingyuan, Xu Wei remembered Zhao Kai recommended to him by Wang Shu, so Zhang Qinghaosheng investigated this person. Zhao Kai, a native of Puzhou, that is, the later Suining Anju District of Sichuan, that is to say, Zhao Kai is a native of Sichuan, which is the same as Zhang Jun.

This person was promoted to the Jinshi in the Yuanfu period of Song Zhezong, served as a minor official in the central government, and also served as a magistrate in the local area, and later returned to his hometown Sichuan as a "Chengdu Fulu transfer judge". Although Sichuan was very common in the Song Dynasty, it was not a strict administrative division, but referred to "Chengdu Fu Road, Tongchuan Fu Road, Lizhou Road, Kuizhou Road", collectively known as "Four Great Sichuan Road", referred to as "Sichuan".

In the post of "Chengdu Fulu Transfer Judge", Zhao Kai made remarkable political achievements, and later served as the "Duti Tea and Horse Division", which was specifically responsible for the trade of "tea for horses" in the border areas of Sichuan and ethnic minorities. It has the reputation of "one step and can transport department stores".

After Xu Wei learned about his resume, he admired it very much. In the past, Liu Ziyu was better at managing money, so he was appointed as a transfer envoy to Shaanxi, and this Zhao Kai seemed to be better than Liu Ziyu. Xu Wei then ordered Zhao Kai to be recruited to Xingyuan Mansion for consultation.

In September, Xu Wei added another happy event. His concubine Zhu Jilan confirmed that she was pregnant, which was terrible, so there was no need for Zhang Jiujiu to take care of her, and Xu Wang, who was eager to let Xu Wei add Ding, ran to his brother's house every three or five days. I don't know what kind of eyes she has, Zhu Jilan's stomach hasn't stood up yet, so she thinks it's her pregnant son. Although Xu Wei knew that there was no scientific basis, he was still very happy.

On this day, Xu Wei had just received the envoy of Western Xia. Li Renxiao sent people to ask why the Xihe army attacked Renduoquan City, annexed Sangji City, and collected tens of thousands of Tubo Qiang. Xu Wei replied forcefully, saying that the Yi Shengren Dragon had repeatedly violated the border, and the city lord of Jisang harbored his people, so he would naturally be punished. In turn, he asked the party envoy, why Chen Bing border? The other party could only reply in a hesitant manner, because of the great gold land, it is common sense to increase the number of troops and garrisons. He then asked the envoy to convey to the King of Xia, Lin, Fu, Feng three prefectures, Jinning and the first army, originally the territory of the Great Song Dynasty, now that you occupy it, I will not say anything else, only one. The Zhe family lives in Fuzhou, and the tombs of their ancestors are all there, and I hope you will take good care of them.

The ancestral grave of the Xu family was picked up by the pseudo-Han, Xu Zhang died of grief and anger, Xu Wei had a very close personal relationship with Zhe Zhonggu, and the Zhe family had a deep hatred with the party members, he didn't want the ancestral grave of the Zhe family to be picked up again. The Western Xia envoy agreed.

After sending off the envoy of Western Xia, as soon as Xu Wei took a sip of tea, an assistant official came in and reported: "Xuanfu Xianggong, Zhao Kai and Zhao Tiju have been waiting for a long time." ”

"Oh? Quick, ask him to come in. Xu Wei closed the lid of the cup and said loudly.

After a while, I saw an official walking in. Seeing him, Xu Wei was a little surprised, because many people said that Zhao Kai was "extremely good at financial management and very capable, Xu Wei imagined that this kind of person should be young and strong." Unexpectedly, the official who came in was about sixty years old, with gray hair on his sideburns and a not so straight back. And Xu Wei didn't see on his face that he had the strange appearance that a talented person should have, but he was a kind and polite old man.

"Xiaguan Zhao Kai, I have seen the privy minister." The official saluted. The civil and military officials in Sichuan and Shaanxi have a confusing title for Xu Wei. The military attachés close to him are mostly referred to as "Tai Lieutenant", because this is the highest military rank; The staff of the Xuanfu Disposal Division is customarily called "Xuanfu Xianggong"; Foreign officials who are not familiar with him are mostly referred to as the highest rank of "privy minister"; Some officials in Shaanxi are also called "ministers of justice."

"Well, sit down." Xu Wei looked at the other party levelly.

Zhao Kai thanked him, sat down, Xu Wei asked him to serve him tea, and said casually: "I have heard your name for a long time, and I have long wanted to see you, but I have been busy with affairs and have not been available." How is your company doing? ”

Zhao Kaigang picked up the teacup, and when he heard this, he quickly put it down, and replied: "Previously, Xiaguan had just obtained 3,000 horses from the Tubo people, and they had been sent to Jinghu. ”

"Huh?" Xu Wei looked suspicious. I worked hard in Shaanxi to beg for horses everywhere, and you bought 3,000 horses, so how could you send them to Jinghu?

Seeing this, Zhao Kai understood, and immediately explained: "Privy Minister, that's the case. In the past, Sichuan and Shaanxi tea and horses traded with each other, and we used tea to exchange horses for Zhuqiang, and the proceeds were sent to Tokyo, and then distributed to various places. Since the southern tour of Taishang, the horses obtained have been ordered by the imperial court and sent directly to various places. The Jinghu war needs, so the horses obtained recently have been paid to the Shenwu rear army. ”

Only then did Xu Wei understand that buying horses in Sichuan is not only for the local, but for the whole country.

"How many horses can you buy in a year?" Xu Wei asked again.

"The tea tax can be collected at two million taels a year, and about six or seven thousand horses can be purchased." Zhao Kai replied truthfully.

If it is a bystander, he must be exclaimed when he hears this number, he can buy six or seven thousand horses a year, then the Song army should not lack cavalry. In fact, not all horses purchased can be used as war horses, and some horses can only be used for military purposes. In addition, he bought horses in one place and supplied the whole country, and this figure was insignificant.

"In this way, the tea and horse market is very profitable, and the tea tax is collected, and the horses are purchased." Xu Wei said.

originally thought that Zhao Kai would follow him, but unexpectedly, Zhao Kai said: "This is not the case. ”

"Ben Shuai likes to hear the truth the most, talk about it." Xu Weidao.

"Although I bought some horses, the disadvantages were obvious. In the past, tea was not bought and sold exclusively, and it was left to the merchants to collect and sell on their own, and the trade was fairly fair. But since the tea and horse division was purchased, it was taken back to the official camp. In order to fill their own pockets, officials of all sizes on the border collected tea at a lower price and sold it at a high price to another place, such as Western Xia. ”

As soon as he said this, Xu Weiyi raised his hand: "Slow, tea is a strategic material, and Shaanxi and the party are in the market, and there is no horse to import, how can it ......?"

It is precisely because of this that the party people need tea and are unwilling to export war horses, so they are willing to pay a high price. Some people valued this profit, so they sold tea to Western Xia. Zhao Kai said truthfully.

Xu Wei became more and more puzzled: "Then the tea horse division has a task, the tea is lost to Western Xia, what to exchange for horses?" ”

"Unscrupulous officials often give Qiang people 'vouchers' with notes on how much tea they owe, bring the horses first, and then tell them to wait for the next year. In the coming year, only half of the exchange will be given, and the empty coupon will be given, and then wait for the next year. The Qiang people cannot live without tea for a day, and when they see this situation, they are resentful. A few days ago, there was turmoil on the border, which caused it. ”

Xu Wei slapped the teacup and couldn't help but be angry. It turned out that 2,000 soldiers were transferred to suppress the popular rebellion, and this was exactly what happened. When he was angry, his heart moved, and he asked: "Zhao Tiju, you are the chief official of the Tea and Horse Division, you ......" Could it be that he is reporting himself?

Zhao Kaiyi arched his hand: "Not long after the subordinate took office, he has found that the company has many shortcomings and it is difficult to return. I wanted to report to the Xuanfu Disposal Division for a long time, but Wang Xuanfu half retired, and the other chiefs couldn't be the masters. Today, when I saw the privy councillor, I told him bluntly and asked the minister to take it away. ”

Xu Wei was also new to office, and he was not familiar with these affairs, and he didn't want to pretend to understand, so he asked: "Then in your opinion, what should I do?" ”

"It's also simple, the tea and horse division is independent and difficult to supervise. Xia Guan suggested that it was best to dismiss the tea and horse division, and still let the transshipment department buy the horses. If not, it will also be merged into the Transit Division, which will be managed by the Transit Envoy. Zhao Kaidao.

Xu Wei couldn't help but have a good impression of him, this person himself is the director of the Tea and Horse Division, and it is commendable that he can not protect his shortcomings and expose his own shortcomings, no wonder Wang Shu admires him so much.

But having said that, this alone does not prove much. Xu Wei chatted with him for a while, and then brought the topic to Sichuan's taxation. said that he had a total army in Shaanxi, and he had fought many times, and although Sichuan tried its best to support it, it was sometimes in arrears, so now he plans to increase it.

When Zhao Kai heard this, he stood up in a panic, waved his hand again and again, and said: "The people of Sichuan have exhausted, and they can't add a penny!" ”

"What's the solution? 200,000 Western troops are stationed there, and the monthly consumption is huge, and we have no financial support from the central government. Xu Wei said.

Zhao Kai sat down slowly, thoughtfully, for a long time, and said solemnly: "Privy Councillor, if you want to open source, you shouldn't make up your mind on the people, start with the tea tax." ”

"I'm listening." Xu Weidao.

"Unscrupulous officials colluded with merchants to detain the tea leaves that should have been taxed and sold them to Western Xia, but they were taxed according to the regulations of the marginal farm. Not only did they make huge profits, but they also saved huge amounts of taxes. As long as this matter is investigated and the tea trade is returned to the right path, taxes will naturally increase. Zhao Kai said.

"I'm afraid it's hard to apply this alone." Xu Wei looked careless.

Zhao Kai was even more anxious, and said in a loud voice: "In addition to tea, salt and wine can also be put into some effort. As long as we find a way, we can increase fiscal revenue without increasing the burden on the people. ”

Xu Wei smiled at this time: "Then I will listen to it." ”

This meeting with Zhao Kai was considered a great gain by Xu Wei himself, and Wang Shu strongly respected it. Zhao Kai's method is only for "tea, salt, and wine," and does not increase the burden on the peasants, and it is expected that if it is implemented, it will greatly increase Sichuan's fiscal revenue.

Xu Wei soon promoted him to a higher level and appointed Zhao Kai as the "Sichuan Capital Transfer Envoy", and the four transfer envoys of Chengdu Fu Road, Tongchuan Fu Road, Lizhou Road, and Kuizhou Road were all under his jurisdiction. Xu Wei did not adopt the suggestion of recalling the tea and horse division, because the war horse was urgently needed by the Song army, and there were still many advantages to having a special agency to handle it. It's just that the Tea and Horse Division is also under the jurisdiction of the Transshipment Department and is subject to supervision.

Since then, Chengdu Fulu has been used as a pilot to implement Zhao Kai's new fiscal law. Zhao Kai was favored by Xu Wei's knowledge, so he naturally tried his best to report it, and as soon as he received the appointment, he rushed back to Chengdu to implement it.

While Xu Wei was in full swing to restore and develop Sichuan and Shaanxi, the situation on the Xianghan battlefield was strange. Wushu besieged Xiangyang but did not attack, and sent elite troops to Yingchang Mansion, not far from Tokyo, intending to attract the main force of the Song army to come out and start a battle with him, and then defeat him in one fell swoop.

Things didn't go as he hoped. According to Wan Yanliang's report, the Song army assembled in the Shouzhou area of Huaixi has not moved, and he has sent troops across the border several times to harass and provoke, but the other party has no response.

This made Wu very wondering, what did the Huaixi Song Army do? At the same time, taking advantage of the Jin army to stop attacking, Han Shizhong mobilized troops and civilians in Xiangyang City to repair the city defense, which made Wushu angry. Just as he was wavering, the Song army came. But it was not the Shenwu front army of the Zhe family that came, but the Shenwu rear army led by He Guan.

He Guan was almost crazy waiting in Jingmen, and the agreement at the beginning of August at the latest, there was no news from the king of Zhejun until now. And Xiangyang City was besieged, internal and external communication was cut off, and I don't know what the specific situation is. He really couldn't wait, so he complained to the imperial court, and ordered Yue Fei to attack Suizhou as a constraint, and he led the main force of the Shenwu rear army to go up the Han River and attack the Jin army in Xiangyang.

Yue Fei was deeply ashamed of being defeated by the elite troops concentrated by Wushu before, so before leaving, he told the soldiers that he must recapture Suizhou when he goes! At the end of August, Yue Fei's army entered Suizhou, won two battles and two victories, cut hundreds of ranks, and advanced all the way to ten miles away from the state capital. The defending Jin general regarded Yue Fei as a defeated general and led his elite soldiers out of the city to engage in battle. The two armies faced each other, Yue Pengju envoy Wang Gui attacked from the middle road, Xu Qing and Li Dao responded on both sides, and he and his son Yue Yun each led elite cavalry to hold the position.