The military struggle of the Western Army in Shaanxi strongly supported the negotiations between the Song and Jin countries. As soon as the good news reached Tokyo, it immediately changed the situation at the negotiating table. Prime Minister Zhu Shengfei, who presided over the peace conference, stiffened his waist and directly handed over the original copy of Xu Churen's recital to Zhang Tonggu, the envoy of the Jin State. The latter did not want to believe it, he preferred to think that this was a negotiation method used by the Great Song side. But at the beginning of the lunar month, he received news from Yanjing, saying that the war situation in Shaanxi might be unfavorable, and that it should be necessary to pay attention to the problems in Shaanxi and not to get entangled in the problems of Shaanxi. A peace agreement should be reached as soon as possible, and the two countries would have a truce, otherwise, the Purple Golden Tiger might be preparing to march to Hedong.

Hangzhou Xicheng, Honglu Temple, Concierge Hospital.

Honglu Temple, similar to the state guesthouse of later generations, was not a diplomatic department, as its main function was reception. The protocol under the Honglu Monastery is specially responsible for the reception of the Uighurs, Tibetans, Dangxiang, and Jurchens. Therefore, the Jin delegation has been living here since going down to Jiangnan, and the negotiations between the two countries are also here.

Zhu Shengfei's official bridge stopped in front of the main gate of the yamen, and after he got off the sedan chair, he waved two big sleeves, looking very free and easy. An official under the sedan chair in the back, named Li Ruoshui, his real name is Ruobing, the emperor changed his current name, the word Qingqing, in his early forties, in the prime of life. He was recommended by Xu Shao, because Xu Shao valued him for his integrity, uprightness, ability to adhere to major festivals, and flexibility in handling things, so he was entrusted with important tasks.

"Qingqing, the previous negotiation was so good that Zhang Tonggu was not domineering, and now Shaanxi wins, look at how he has a face." Zhu Shengfei said with a smile.

Li Ruoshui smiled indifferently: "Xianggong can rest assured, but he will not have a good face for you, this person is extremely hateful to the Great Song Dynasty." ”

Zhu Shengfei didn't mind: "It doesn't matter what kind of face he looks at, as long as he makes concessions through negotiation." With that, he walked inside, and Li Ruoshui followed.

They all say that they don't oppress the master, but as a representative of the Dajin Kingdom, Zhang Tonggu doesn't care about this, he brings the guards himself. In the protocol house, the vicinity of his residence was guarded by Jurchen soldiers, and whoever wanted to see him had to report it first, and his arrogance was like this. Zhu Shengfei and Li Ruoshui went to the front of the house where he lived, endured their anger and asked the soldiers to report, and then they were led to the flower hall to wait for tea, and they waited for a long time and disappeared.

What did Zhu Shengfei say, he was also the prime minister of the Great Song Dynasty, the head of the hundred officials, and in later generations, he was at the level of a prime minister, but he waited left and right in the flower hall. is also a person with good cultivation, if he had changed the temper of the former prime minister Zhao Ding, he would have gone long ago.

Zhu and Li drank tea, looked at each other from time to time, and only after a long time did they hear footsteps. The two put down the teacups, Li Ruoshui got up to greet each other, and Zhu Shengfei sat still.

But when the curtain was lifted, a man came out, estimated to be about fifty people, and he was at least seven feet tall, and he must be a northerner. Although he shaved his hair and changed his clothes to Zuoqi, it can be seen that he is Han. When he came out, no one looked at him, until he sat down on the throne, and took another sip of the teacup, but he did not swallow it, but he turned it in his mouth and spit it out again.

Li Ruoshui kept standing, Zhu Shengfei watched him perform, and later, that Zhang Tonggu looked at Zhu Shengfei and asked, "How can Zang Yigong be free today?" He ignored Li Ruoshui because the conversation collapsed a few days ago, and he is still angry. Li Ruoshui saw neither anger nor embarrassment, and still sat back, his face as usual.

"This time, I am here to convey a few meanings on the orders of my emperor." Zhu Shengfei is lukewarm.

"You say." Zhang Tonggu said casually.

"If the peace talks continue to fade, the Shaanxi issue should not be entangled. Your country has promised to return Huaixi to Henan, and our side has several principles. First, the people must not be moved north, and second, they must not be deliberately destroyed. If you can agree, let's move on. "Zhu Sheng is not a positive color.

Zhang Tonggu frowned slightly: "What if you can't agree?" ”

"If you don't agree, then it's going to be a little difficult." Zhu Shengfei said.

Zhang Tonggu put the teacup on a few places, the tea spilled out, and sneered: "I know, you think that the situation in Shaanxi has changed somewhat, and the waist pole is stiff......

Li Ruoshui interjected at this time: "Xiaguan explains, the situation in Shaanxi has not changed somewhat, Sichuan and Shaanxi Xuanfu disposed of Xu Churen, and Xuanfu deputy envoy Xu Wei have recovered the whole of Shaanxi. Of course, we are responsible. Although it was not an order from the imperial court to send troops, but it was the autonomy of Sichuan and Shaanxi, but it could not be stopped in time, sorry. ”

Previously, the public statement of the Great Song Dynasty was that Xu Wei sent troops to counterattack, which was the meaning of the Sichuan and Shaanxi Xuanfu Disposal Division, not the order of Hangzhou. At that time, the Jin envoy repeatedly coerced and asked Hangzhou to order Xu Wei to withdraw his troops, and Zhao Chen listened to Xu Shao's opinion, one word, delay. As a result, within a few months, the whole territory of Shaanxi was recovered.

Zhang Tonggu is a Han native of Yizhou, a former subject of the Liao State, a Jinshi, and a member of the Privy Council of the Liao State. After Liao's death, he lived in seclusion in the mountains, and the Great Song Dynasty knew his fame and repeatedly sent people to recruit, but he refused. Later, he led the Jindong Route Army to capture Yanshan Mansion and asked him to go out of the mountain, which he accepted. The reason is that he is basically a person with Han Fang, and he would rather Shijin than vote for the Song Dynasty, because they despise the villainous behavior of the Great Song Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty attacking Liao, and they are extremely hostile to the Great Song Dynasty in their hearts.

As soon as this person came to Jiangnan and saw Zhao Guan's house, he made people unable to come down. He refused to salute and declared that "the secretary of a big country should be the king of a small country", which means that he is on the same level as Zhao Chen. Set up a banquet to entertain him, Zhao Chen sat in the north and faced south, let him sit in the south and face north, this guy changed color, and shouted on the spot, "The golden son of heaven gave Song to the land of Huaixi in Henan, and Song should be careful to keep the minister's festival, how to let the messenger face north!" After the attack, he asked Zhao Chen to ask for horses to return to Jinguo, which made the Great Song Junchen speechless. Not only that, but in the subsequent negotiation process, he did not make any concessions, and directly imposed the conditions set by the Jin State, without any room for negotiation.

Zhang Tonggu heard that Li Ruoshui was mocking, and immediately fought back: "As far as I know, the military ministers in the south have never dared to make claims, they must not have orders, and they dare not mobilize a single soldier. That Xu Ziang drove the army to conquer, if there was no one to support him, how could he dare to do this? ”

Zhu Shengfei laughed when he heard this: "That's the case, your country may not know much about Xu Wei." He is a general, and when Daojun was in power, he was already on the list, and the Emperor Taishang focused on cultivating and promoting, and gradually became a commander. Now he is the deputy envoy of Sichuan and Shaanxi Xuanfu, the general section of the Western Army, what to do on the front line, basically he has the final say, and we in Hangzhou can't help him. The general is outside, and the king's order is not subject to it, let alone the commander? ”

Zhang Tonggu just sneered, obviously not believing it.

Zhu Shengfei didn't care what his attitude was, after finishing speaking, he got up and shook his clothes and said: "That's all for the words, and the rest will be talked about by Li Shilang and Zhang Liushou." Because Zhang Tonggu's position in the Jin State was "Deputy Left Behind in Beijing", it was called. Zhu Shengfei said, gave a slight salute, and walked away.

In the fourth year of Jianwu, the Song-Jin peace talks gradually became eyebrow-raising. The three conditions put forward by the Dajin State were a truce, a vassal, and a tribute. The Great Song side agreed to a truce and promised to send money, but the ministers were very hesitant. Jin insisted that the Southern Song Dynasty must be a vassal, and with this premise, the Emperor of Jin would reward Henan Huaixi to Zhao and Song.

Zhao Chen really couldn't make up his mind, and his old man talked to him several times and told him that he could agree. As long as you are a vassal, you can take back Huaixi, Henan, and you can also win peace time, concentrate on development, and you will make a difference in the future. If you don't agree, not only is Henan Huaixi hopeless, but also may anger the Jin country, even if the Jin army is defeated several times now, stimulated by this, it may also pour the country's troops to retaliate, which is more important?

Zhao Chen sent Shen Xue to ask Xu Shao, who was seriously ill, but the latter probably had already said too much, so he only asked Shen Xue to tell the emperor that "the people of Diyi beasts have no reputation at all, and they are not enough to treat benevolence and righteousness."

Zhao Chen hesitated, and the Emperor Taishang instigated the courtiers to exert pressure, and vigorously played a plea. At this time, the two pieces of Sichuan and Shaanxi were sent to the Xing Dynasty. One is Xu Churen's request for Zhishi's retirement, and the other is Xu Wei's request to enter the Hajj.

Xu Wei's request to enter the Hajj is understandable, after all, the commander of the Western Army has always been known for his "loyalty and bravery", and he asked for Hajj on his own, which can be described as a decent matter.

Xu Churen asked for Zhishi, but the court was caught off guard. Although they all knew that he had an eye disease, and the emperor also sent an imperial doctor to diagnose and treat him, it was still a little surprising that he retreated bravely just after the victory. Xu Xuanfu has achieved outstanding results in running Sichuan and Shaanxi, Xu Wei can make contributions, thanks to his strength, this is the same officer, who is in charge of Sichuan and Shaanxi? The ministers of the ruling committee were summoned to discuss, and they all agreed to Xu Churen's request, after all, they are old and in poor health, what if they die in office? There is nothing major in Sichuan and Shaanxi for the time being, so please ask him to retire.

However, Zhao Chen didn't think about his successor for the time being, what he cared about was that Xu Churen was the governor of the western region, familiar with the situation, and had been the prime minister, so why not ask his opinion?

Soon, Zhao Chen approved Xu Churen's request for Zhishi, gave him the treatment of "Taifu Zhishi", and recalled him back to Hangzhou. Xu Wei's request for Hajj was not granted.

In the first month of Song Jianwu's fifth year, this Spring Festival, it can be said that the people of Sichuan and Shaanxi have had the most comfortable time for many years. For many years, half of Shaanxi has been occupied by the Jin people, and the Shaanxi people have suffered from the fall and are in dire straits. And the Sichuan people also felt the same way, and supported the Western Army with a corner of their strength, which was a heavy burden. Now that the whole territory of Shaanxi has recovered, as soon as the news comes out, Sichuan and Shaanxi are boiling. The exiled people packed their bags and were ecstatic, waiting for the Spring Festival to return to their hometowns and rebuild their homes. No matter how good the foreign places are, after all, they are not mulberries, and the concept of Chinese returning to their roots is deeply rooted.

In Mianzhou, where the Xuanfu Disposal Division is located, the festive atmosphere is particularly warm. For example, yesterday on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Mianzhou held a lantern festival, and the city was full of glory, and the people celebrated all night. In order to participate in the grand event, Xuanfu disposal envoy Xu Churen, Xuanfu deputy envoy Wang Shu, Xuanfu judge Xu Liang, Senator Zhang Jun, and local administrative officials in Mianyang all came out to have fun with the people and push the celebration to the top. It's just a pity that the other Xu Xuanfu is still in Guanzhong, if he is there, he will be cheered by all the people.

But today, on the sixteenth, the atmosphere of the Yamen of the Xuanfu Disposal Division is a little strange. Almost no one of the adjutants in each room had work, and they all gathered outside the yamen, and some even looked lonely, whispering to each other, not knowing what to discuss. The people who passed by here were surprised to see this large group of officials in official robes gathered together, and they all stopped to watch the excitement. The more and more people gathered, those who drank tea in the teahouse, listened to books, took their children and grandchildren to play, and visited relatives. You ask me, I ask you, what do you see? Answer, I don't know.

After a long time, I saw someone carrying things out of the yamen and getting into the car, but there were only a few wooden boxes, which was not unusual. At this time, some people speculated, looking at this appearance, is it a high-ranking official? Moving somewhere else? Because all these chiefs came to see them off?

After another while, someone from the yamen came out, and the group of officials outside all stood solemnly with their hands down, no longer noisy. The first one came out, that is, Zhang Jun, the senator of the Xuanfu Disposal Division, he is a native of Sichuan, and his hometown is next to Mianzhu County, Hanzhou, which is only more than 100 miles away from Mianzhou, so most of the people know him.

Later, those who came out later also recognized those who were lucky enough to see the real face yesterday. The old one is said to be the deputy envoy of Xuanfu, Wang Shu, and the younger one is the Xuanfu judge Xu Liang, who is said to be the cousin of Xu Jiuxianggong, and he is the sixth in the family. There are a few others who don't recognize, but the oldest one, although he is dressed in civilian clothes, the people still recognize it at a glance, this is our old parents in Bashu, Xu Churen, Xu Gong!

"It's broken! Shouldn't it be...... Did you see it, Xu Xuanfu was wearing civilian clothes, and the officials next to him were all dressed in official brocade, shouldn't he be an old man leaving? Someone was surprised.

"This is a farewell to the old man, right? Why don't you move? ”

When the people were talking, Xu Churen was saying goodbye to his subordinates. This respected old man was surrounded by officials, his eyes were not very good, he only made a four-way gesture, and said in a loud voice: "Colleagues, go back, go back, don't miss your business." ”

The adjutants around him were reluctant, either praising their merits or wishing them well, and Xu Churen didn't have time to respond one by one, so he only made frequent moves. Then, with the support of Xu Liang and Zhang Jun, they wanted to board the car and leave the city.

Xu Liang said in his ear at this time: "Xianggong, there are many people in the market. ”

Xu Churen was stunned, and the foot that had already stepped on the wheel was retracted. After a moment of silence, he gently pushed away the two subordinates, dressed in a neat garment, took two steps back, and gave a long wave to the people. This is to thank the people of Sichuan for their support for the war over the years and for their support to Xu Churen.

But as soon as he shook it, the people around him knelt on the side of the street in an uproar, shouting "Don't go", and there were even those who cried bitterly. Xu Churen has been in Sichuan for many years, governing the local area with benevolence and virtue, and enjoys wide prestige from top to bottom. Although earlier this year, Sichuan was borrowed for two years to pay taxes, which made the people complain, but now that he has left office, who still remembers his evil? They all thought of his good come, so they were reluctant.

After Xu Churen shook it, he was helped into the car by his subordinates. His family sat in a car with him, and there was only one car behind him. You must know that he is the highest governor of Sichuan and Shaanxi, a serious feudal official, to exaggerate, he has the word "disposal" and the right to "cheap", and Sichuan and Shaanxi are the same as his independent small kingdom. After working for so many years and making such a big contribution, it's not too much to get yourself more money for the elderly, right? What's the matter, it shouldn't be just a car, right?

But Xu Churen really has this bit of belongings, and he racked his brains in Sichuan to manage his finances, which year was not tens of millions of huge sums at his disposal? But he doesn't seem to be filling his pockets. Of course, one is because he is honest, and the other is because the imperial court treats retired officials well, like he "Tai Fu Zhishi", after retirement, he still gets the full amount of a high-ranking official, he doesn't need to be corrupt at all, and he can also enjoy the scenery and retire in a down-to-earth manner. Moreover, when he went to Hangzhou, the emperor would inevitably reward him with a large sum of money and reward him for his merits.

As soon as Xu Churen boarded the car, the soldiers led the horses, Wang Shu, Xu Liang, and Zhang Jun all followed the horses, and the other adjutants obviously received instructions not to send them far away, but to go back to work, so after leaning over, they all watched the vehicle go away.

The people were grateful for Xu Churen's kindness, and after the seat of his car left, there were still people who saw him off behind him. The upper can repay the kindness of the Son of Heaven, and the lower can appease the love of Li Shu's child, and in ancient times, the scholar was an official to do this, and there was no higher pursuit.

Out of Mianzhou City, Wang Xu and Zhang were still escorting Xu Churen's car seat, and the latter lifted the curtain several times and persuaded: "The princes don't have to be sent far away, the left and right must be separated in the end, and the bitterness adds to this sentimentality?" ”

Wang Shu sighed and said: "Send it again, these young and strong people are okay, if I want to see Xianggong again, I don't know if there is a chance." ”

Xu Churen's nose was sour when he heard this, Wang Shu was already an old man in his sixties, and if he said goodbye today, goodbye, it may be under the Yellow Spring...... Through his cloudy eyes, Xu Churen looked at Xu Liu, who was half a horse's head away from Wang Shu, thoughtfully. After sending out a few miles, Xu Churen ordered to stop, and said to the three people: "Say goodbye, Sichuan and Shaanxi will rely on you in the future." ”

The three of them all got off the horse and gathered in front of Xu Churen's car, Wang Shu was older, so he said: "Rest assured, we should continue to implement all government decrees, so as to consolidate the west and benefit the people." ”

Xu Churen shook his head: "At this time, at that time, the whole territory of Shaanxi has been recovered, and in the future, you must adapt to the opportunity, and when it changes, it will change." Alright, please go back. ”

Xu Liang and Zhang Jun also said that they were safe and smooth, and after telling them to be careful on the road, the three of them gave a salute together, Xu Churen put down the curtain, and the two drove away slowly.

After a while, Xu Liang shrugged his shoulders, took a deep breath and said, "Let's go, send you a thousand miles, and you must say goodbye in the end." The old man has unloaded the burden, and I have to pick what I should pick. ”

On the other end, Xu Churen and his old wife and concubine sat in the car, without speaking, with their eyes closed, swaying with the ups and downs of the car, and suddenly sighed. Resigned today, and the subordinate people rushed to say goodbye, what more could the husband ask for? Why are you still sighing? ”

Xu Churen opened his eyes and sighed again: "It's a pity that I couldn't meet Xu Wei." ”