"Empress Dowager Qiyu, Yan Zhao has been a chivalrous warrior since ancient times, the ancestors unified the world, and half of the elite soldiers are from Hebei. His Majesty Zhenzong and the Khitan formed an alliance between the Yuanyuan, although it was a little humiliating, but it was beneficial to the people of the two countries, because of the peace between the two countries, the people were able to recuperate. However, there is a serious drawback, Chengping has been peaceful for a long time, and the soldiers of Hedong in Hebei have not practiced fighting for a long time, although many township soldiers, strong men and archers have been set up, and there are armed societies such as bow and arrow societies among the people, but they are not useful in actual combat. Lao Chen once transferred 5,000 soldiers and horses from Hedong in Hebei Province for the Hehuang War, and the initial combat effectiveness was very weak, but then it gradually improved, and still could not keep up with the Western Army. ”

Zheng Lang also said it vaguely before.

Gao Tao was silent, this problem is a bit serious, because the garrison or military service, the state costs a lot, and it also delays the agricultural production in the north. But it's not what Gao Tao thought, at least these soldiers and military service will have some deterrent effect on the Khitan.

Zheng Lang continued: "The old minister has an idea in his heart, once the summer is officially cut, 100,000 to 120,000 township soldiers and strong men will be drawn from Hebei and Hedong, and Baoding will now be handed over to the generals for training and reorganization, and let them participate in the war as auxiliary troops during the summer war. As for the vacated troops, the deterrent power of the forbidden troops is higher than that of the township soldiers, which can ensure that the Khitan does not dare to attack Hedong in Hebei easily. The real use of forbidden soldiers will be less than 300,000, which the old minister thinks is very important. The climate is different in different places, and the role of soldiers is different. If you want to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, you must have a strong force in Hedong, Hebei Province to fight. Even if the sixteen prefectures of Youyun are not recovered, the soldiers and strong men of Hedong Township in Hebei Province will be tempered in actual combat, their combat effectiveness will be improved, and the invasion of northern nomads will also be prevented. Moreover, if the imperial court has forty generals, the Khitan and Western Xia must have a heart of prevention. Now there are 40 generals, covering Shaanxi, Hebei, and Hedong, and from the forbidden army to the civilian forces, the two countries will only think that our DPRK is implementing a new military reform. And there is no longer a precautionary mind. As for the use of more soldiers, there will also be more money and silk, which is helpless. The imperial court can now recover Lianggan and Ganzhou, but the recovery of the entire country of Western Xia cannot be achieved without gathering a large army. As for the money, as long as the Western Xia is won, even if the country owes it, if the years are too peaceful, it can be wiped out in three years. ”

"Zheng Qing. After taking the Western Xia, you and You'er will take the clouds again. ”

"Queen Mother, take Western Xia, and govern. If it is not Tibet, the hearts of the Tibetan people are scattered, and they are not evil to me, so it is easier to govern. However, the Western Xia is different, especially the Yinxia Zhuqiang, who wants to return to their hearts. It can't be done in a few years. Once realized, the old minister was almost seventy at that time, and it was time to pay tribute. The Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun can only be solved by His Majesty. ”

Gao Tao wanted to speak, but Zheng Lang forcibly continued. The matter of Western Xia is over. No matter who advises, he will also retire, even if Gao Tao and Zhao Ji don't mind, and they don't know how much trouble some red-eyed scholars and doctors will cause. When the moon is full, it loses. When the water is full, it is full!

continued: "It is even more difficult to recover the sixteen states of Youyun, at least wait for the Western Xia affair, and the state will have to reserve a surplus for more than five years. ”

With the income of the current Song Dynasty. A five-year surplus is likely to be a huge number. But it's a must.

"It will take five to ten years of fierce fighting to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun. After obtaining the sixteen states of Youyun, with the financial resources of our dynasty, we can immediately build the Great Wall. The Tibetan Plateau was scattered, the Western Uighurs were weak, and the South was not enough to do harm. Coupled with the Great Wall, our dynasty ruled Nai'an. At that time, not only can the forbidden army be reduced by 100,000, but also a large number of township soldiers, Tibetan soldiers and military service, and the military cost alone can be reduced by 20 million. The state does not need to spend much money to prepare for war, so the annual surplus is used to reduce taxes, and it is possible that both taxes will be exempted. The Queen Mother, Your Majesty, once the two taxes are exempted, what kind of prosperity will the Great Song Dynasty usher in? ”

It's impossible.

If the Song Dynasty could really get the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, it would be impossible for the monarch and the ministers to tighten their belts like now, and the cost would inevitably surge. Also, even if the Great Wall is built, will the Khitan be willing? The next generation must be Zhao Xu, he is also a radical master, will he be willing to stop expanding?

But at least the security of the Song Dynasty will be further guaranteed, and there will be no major changes, and the financial pressure of the Song Dynasty will be fully eased.

"Exempt from two taxes?" Gao Tao groaned, and his eyes showed yearning.

Zhao Ji asked worriedly: "Gong Zheng, I'm worried that no one will understand military affairs by then. ”

"Your Majesty, Guo Kui's military can be on par with the ministers, and Wang Shao and Zhang Qi's military cultivation is above the ministers, Your Majesty don't worry. For example, the ministers to the west of Chiling surrendered one by one, and the ministers only suggested that two trade roads should be built, and trees should be planted on both sides of the trade roads, which would be conducive to the prosperity of Hehuang commerce, improve the lives of the people, and make the people of Hehuang return to their hearts, but the minister has not agreed to send officials and soldiers to Lingxi. But the Western Xia will be destroyed, without the constraints of the Western Xia, our dynasty is only concentrating on defending the Khitan, the troops are sufficient, and the pressure on the people of Shaanxi will also be relaxed. Recovering the clouds, I will control the northern portal, and I can attack and retreat and defend, and the Khitan has no worries since then. This generation will have a very hard time because of this, including that Your Majesty must work hard to realize these two great plans, but for the benefit of the Great Song Dynasty and future generations, and the Song Dynasty can truly become a rich and powerful country, and its name will be remembered for eternity. ”

Gao Tao listened to the eagerness and worry in her heart, of course, now it can only be said that it is a plan, only Xixia is really ready to do it, she changed the topic and asked, "The forty generals?" ”

"Lao Chen has ten generals in his heart, Miao Zhu, Liu Changzuo, Guo Cheng, Chongyi, Chong Ge, Wang Junwan, Zhe Kexing, Yan Da, Zhang Yu, Wang Guangzu."

"Wang Guangzu?" Zhao Ji asked suspiciously.

Wang Guangzu made great achievements in the Battle of Huluchuan, but he was not the most conspicuous one. Later, he was transferred to Sichuan, Yu Fang rebelled, Kumamoto led Yang Wan, Jia Changyan, Wang Xuan and Wang Guangzu to discuss together, thinking that Wang Guangzu was not for his use, and marched in three ways, after the palace of Guangzu. Yang Wan was trapped by the fangs, Wang Guangzu quickly supported, broke the enemy soldiers, and Kumamoto was ashamed. The imperial court recounted the merits of Pingnan, and Wang Guangzu was the first. But the center of gravity of the Song Dynasty was not in the southwest, it was just an itch on the skin, and it didn't matter.

Look at the ability of the generals or look at the performance in the Battle of Hehuang. But Wang Guangzu did not participate in the war, and many people were more dazzling than Wang Guangzu, such as Gao Yongneng, Zhou Shiqing, and Chonggu. Zheng Lang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, don't underestimate him, although the minister ranks him below Zhang Yu, he is actually no less than Zhang Yu." ”

"And what about the top ten lieutenant generals?"

"Gao Yongneng, Wang Wenyu, Kumamoto, He Bin, Chonggu, Yao Ji, Lin Guang, Li Shunqing, Li Hao, Liu Shaoneng, but unfortunately the veterans Yang Sui, Dou Shunqing, Jia Kui, Yang Wenguang, Zhang Shouyue, Lu Zheng, and Song Shouyue passed away one after another, otherwise they could be among them." Zheng Lang said carefully.

Today's list is no small feat, it is a direct ranking of the military capabilities of all the generals who are now present. Among the top ten generals, the seed is only in fifth place. Ruoda Zhiqingzhou, Wang Wenyu, who was in charge of the army of Huanqinglu, was only ranked in the ranks of lieutenant generals, or second, and did not even occupy the first place, and there were even civil officials like Kumamoto in the middle.

In fact, this is the list of generals that Zheng Lang will use after retirement, generals are very important, so as to save the imperial court from using generals indiscriminately in the future, and even transferred Ge Huaimin to the front line for a while.

Zhao has realized the importance of this. He took a pen and wrote down the twenty names, and asked, "What about the twenty generals?" ”

"It's a good deal."

"Huh?"

"Your Majesty, he hasn't grown up yet, and once he grows up, he will be no less than the top ten generals."

"Oh, go on."

"Chong Pu, Wang Hou, Qu Zhen, Yao Lin, Zhuang Diagnostic, Yao Xiong, Chong Shidao, Zhao Du, Sun Lu, You Shixiong."

"Why?" Zhao Ji asked puzzledly, Kumamoto can still be regarded as half a military attaché if he is in the ranks. Zhao Di, Sun Lu and You Shixiong are pure scholars.

"Your Majesty, although they are scholars, they have a certain military accomplishment, just like Cai Ting. The country needs scholars to govern the people, not military generals, let them lead the troops, and even go to the battlefield to grind. The more proficient in military affairs, there will be guards in the future. ”

"Zheng Qing's words are extremely true," Gao said. When the husband was alive. If it weren't for Cai Ting's several victories, the situation in the northwest would have been even worse. But Zheng Lang ranked them below Zhe Keshi, which refers to the growth space, and for the time being, Zhe Keshi is not yet dazzling.

Zhao Ji wrote down the name and said, "What else?" ”

"Wang Gan," Zheng Lang said, in fact, Wang Gan's military ability is not weak, but he has a short temper, so he is ranked behind the Seed Master Dao who only wanders around the battlefield once. The following ones are either more flawed, or have limited military capabilities, but they are better than others, and said: "Liu Zhongwu, Zhang Yun, Zhang Quan, Gao Yongheng (Gao Yongneng's younger brother), Zhao Long, Miao Lu (Miao Zhizi), Wang Chongji, Xiang Bao." ”

Speaking of this, he sighed again and said: "If it weren't for the death of the veteran Liu Yan, he would also be among them." ”

Famous generals are like jade, and beauties are like flowers, but they disappear quickly. Otherwise, Yang Sui and other generals are alive, and they will be even more powerful when they are in the summer.

Zhao Ji wrote down his name and asked, "If Gong Zheng leaves the temple, who can be the prime minister?" ”

There are generals, but the prime minister is the most important.

"Lu Gong, Fan Chunren, the future is Zhang Shangying and Zhao Tingzhi, with two Zhang Zhao, you can ensure that the Great Song Dynasty has no worries for 30 years."

"How are Wang Anshi and Sima Guang?"

Zheng Lang was silent for most of the day, and said: "The way of the king, the way of employing people, including the management of talents. Controlling people is also a science, and everyone in the world says that Han Gaozu is vulgar, but just because he uses Zhang Liang, Xiao He and Han Xin well, it is enough to be called the master of people. At the beginning of the prosperous era of Kaiyuan, Yao Yuanchong and Zhang said that the world said that they were virtuous, but in fact they were both cunning people, because Emperor Tang Ming used them well, so there was the rule of Kaiyuan. Renzong also has skills, but compared to Han Gao and the beginning of Tang Minghuang, slightly inferior, so Fan Zhongyan and Lu Yijian are both figures, but caused many contradictions, after several years, the vaguely formed party struggle was resolved. Therefore, the old minister thinks that if you use the same material, one can not be stubborn and biased, the second can not be inactive, too conservative or too radical, and the third must have a certain talent, Your Majesty is not asking about the minister, but about the material, and the old minister can only recommend these four people. Wang Anshi has economic skills, but he is too radical, I am afraid that he will continue to deepen the reform and cause unnecessary contradictions, and Wang Anshi must not give him too much action. If he is the prime minister, if his majesty can't control it, he will slowly weaken the reform policy, and eventually form a situation of poverty and weakness in Renzong's later years. Not only the two of them, but also Zhang Dan, Lu Dafang and others. ”

Speaking of it, Zheng Langcai said that after Zhishi, Zhao Ji must ask from time to time, and he can also refer to Zhao Ji for reference, but he gradually fades out of government affairs.

Zheng Lang said one more thing by the way: "Your Majesty, since the restructuring, the ethics of officials have been improved, but there is still a flaw in the system. ”

"What?"

"Officials move too often, and if you want to do good, you have to understand that there is a time process for this. In particular, local officials, because of the frequent transfers, officials in various states and counties either do nothing, allowing the state and county officials to control government affairs, and the officials are hollowed out. Either they don't understand the situation and are in a hurry to seek credit, and they use the money in vain but it is counterproductive. Therefore, the minister believed that if there were no major mistakes and merits, or special needs, local officials must implement the system of years of service, and they should not be transferred if they do not have enough years. ”

"Zheng Gong's words are extremely true, I will raise this issue at the capital meeting."

After talking for so long, the eunuch served tea.

Zheng Lang took a sip of tea, and Gao Tao asked, "Zheng Qing, the mourning family heard that the fleet on the other side of the ocean has returned. ”

"Hmm."

"Is that food really that important?"

"It's very important, but in the eyes of the ministers, the most important thing is the people, without those grains, there are Wenjing Hanxuan, the country is still prosperous and powerful, and there are those miscellaneous grains, if the people are like Emperor Yang of Sui, the queen of the Southern Tang Dynasty, the country will perish."

"That's a lot of truth."

Zheng Lang took a sip of tea, thought for a while, and then said, "Your Majesty, you might as well simply do two more things." ”

"What?"

"The imperial court will send an envoy to congratulate the Khitan on New Year's Day, it is better to tell them again that the imperial court has brought a kind of rice seed that can be planted in Liaodong."

Zhao Ji's eyes were a little dazed.

"The Japanese slave country has introduced rice from China for many years, and the rice varieties have evolved and are relatively cold-resistant, so they can send people from the Japanese slave country to introduce it and breed it in Liaodong for several years, so that this kind of rice can be popularized in Liaodong. The origin of the rice seeds does not need to be told to the Khitan, but I believe that they will be even happier when they hear it. ”

After all, Liaodong is vast and sparsely populated, and if rice can be grown, it will feed more people. In fact, a large number of rice seeds were imported from China in the Ming Dynasty, and now they are available, and the rice seeds are not very good, and if you want to make a profit, it will take at least ten or eight years, and by then most of the Song Dynasty will attack the Khitan. Whether it is done or not, it is still to prevent the rise of the Jurchens. The Jurchens are strong, one is a cold life, the second is a poor life, and the third is a nomadic life.

With rice and miscellaneous grains, it will evolve from a nomadic fishing and hunting life to an agricultural civilization, so even at the end of the Ming Dynasty, the Jurchens may not have the ability to enter the customs.

As for Outer Mongolia, Zheng Lang has no choice but to harass the Central Plains unless his firearms reach the level of the late 19th century and he has the ability to build railways and trains. But with that ability, not to mention the Outer Mongolian Plateau, the Song Dynasty could expand its territory to Central Asia.

In fact, promoting grain planting in eastern Liaoning is also a dream in Zheng Lang's heart. As long as the Liaodong tribes can settle down, the Song Dynasty continues to develop, and the Khitan declines further, perhaps within a hundred years, the Song Dynasty will have the ability to obtain the entire Liaodong and be able to truly rule. It is domination, it can be captured, but it cannot be ruled, and when it is rebellious, it is time to return, and Zheng Lang does not like it.

"This ...... Yes. What about the second thing? ”

"The imperial court used to introduce long-staple cotton from the Western Regions, but the breeding was unsuccessful, and now it has obtained new cotton seeds, which have evolved and can be suitable for planting in most areas of our dynasty, but the northwest is still suitable for planting cotton seeds from the Western Regions, and these cotton seeds can be imported from the Western Regions and planted in Lanwei and other places. Even if the imperial court uses soldiers, it will not be until the autumn of next year, so that the soldiers can get a large amount of cloth and cotton clothes to save supply costs. At the same time, there is a lack of cloth in the northwest, and if the cotton is successfully cultivated, it will let the people see more hope, and the people's will will be aspiring, and the success rate of summer harvesting will be greater. ”

"What about the Western Xia...... Zhao Ji smiled after speaking, even if the Western Xia got the news, the Song Dynasty also began to do it, regardless of whether the Western Xia introduced it or not. And he said, "Accurate." ”

New Year's Day was approaching, and the envoys of the Song Dynasty set off.

Many people are talking about crops across the ocean, but something else is quietly happening.

The secret order of the imperial court quickly reached the northwest, and the various scouts lurking in Western Xia began to quietly exchange cash in the banks of Western Xia. After Zheng Lang said it, the bigwigs gasped, but they didn't expect how ruthless this move was. (To be continued.) For mobile phone users, please go to read. )