Xue Juzheng frowned, and arched his hand: "The idea of the official family and the flower concubine to establish a naval army can be discussed, why not hand it over to the Privy Council to study whether it is feasible, if it is feasible, it is not a pity to build warships on the sea surface around Dengzhou along the coast, and train the naval army at the same time?" Moreover, it can also save expenses, so that it can concentrate manpower and financial resources to prepare for the use of troops in the north, and it can also avoid working millions of people and strengthening the people, so as not to work the people and lose money. It is also a policy for the people to recuperate. ”

Zhao Guangyi looked at Hua Rui, only to see that her expression was gloomy, there seemed to be tears in her eyes, and she couldn't help but feel pain in her heart, and said loudly: "I said it very clearly!" The main purpose of building Jinming Pond is to praise the flower stamen concubine, and the second is to train the water army. At present, the naval army is also mainly used for the defense of rivers north of Bianliang to resist the defeat of the Northern Expedition and the Liao army's iron cavalry to the south. If you put the navy on the coast, how can it be used to resist it? ”

"However, this Jinming Pond costs a lot, once it is excavated, it will consume the military funds accumulated for many years, and use millions of people, so after the war, there will be no people to transport grain and grass! This Northern Expedition will definitely fail! ”

Zhao Guangyi's face was gloomy: "Xue Qing! You are the prime minister, not the privy envoy, you can manage your own one-third of an acre of land, how to use the money, the three envoys will be in charge, as for the military affairs, let the privy council take care of it, you don't interfere! ”

Xue Juzheng was shocked, lifted his robe and knelt down: "Weichen is guilty." ”

The biggest feature of the emperor of the Great Song Dynasty in politics is the separation of powers, and he tried every means to disperse the power of the ministers, especially the power of the prime minister and the military power, and the power of the prime minister of the Great Song Dynasty was far from being comparable with the time of the five dynasties and ten kingdoms of the Tang Dynasty. The prime minister was only responsible for administrative matters, and the financial power was assigned to the three divisions, while the military power was assigned to the Privy Council, and the administrative, financial, and military powers were not allowed to interfere with each other, and each was responsible to the emperor. Avoid concentrating power too much in the hands of ministers and threatening imperial power. The most taboo thing for the emperor is also the three meddling in other people's affairs. What is particularly fearful is the prime minister's meddling in the military. Therefore, every time the foreign army is used, the emperor only consults with the people of the Privy Council alone, and does not allow the prime minister to participate, and the prime minister does not even know.

Therefore, when Zhao Guangyi said this, Xue Juzheng naturally knew the seriousness of the matter, and the emperor's words had already reached this point, indicating that the emperor was already very angry.

Zhao Guangyi glanced at the privy envoys Chu Zhaofu and Cao Bin, and said lightly: "What do you two think?" ”

Chu Zhaofu bowed and said: "Weichen thinks that Xue Juzheng's words are very reasonable, although the specific expenses have not been calculated yet, but it can be expected that the financial resources accumulated over the years will be empty, at that time, I am afraid that there is really no power to go on the Northern Expedition!" ”

Zhao Guangyi snorted coldly, and looked at Cao Bin again: "What about you?" ”

Cao Bin bowed down and said: "The matter is in a hurry, and Weichen hasn't thought it through carefully, but the stakes are very high, and it is not appropriate to act hastily." ”

Zhao Guangyi looked at Lu Duoxun, who had been silent: "Lu Qing, what do you think?" ”

Lu Duoxun's official worship of Zhongshu Shilang and Ping Zhangshi is also the second minister. He has always been cautious in his words and deeds, and when he heard the official family ask by name, he stepped forward and bowed and said: "In order to pray for the first emperor, the flower stamen Niangniang has led the practice for several years, and it should indeed be praised. It is also a thing that adds glory to Tokyo Bianliang. At the same time, the official family and the mother also used it as a training army, with lofty intentions, and all aspects were taken into account, which is really a good thing. As for the Northern Expedition, the officials are far-sighted and have already made a bamboo in their minds, and the ministers do not need to worry too much, as long as they obey the orders of the officials and move forward bravely, they will be invincible! ”

Zhao Guangyi was very satisfied, and nodded frequently: "Very good, very good!" - Did you hear that? ”

Xue Juzheng kowtowed and said: "Official, the stakes are very high, and it is not appropriate to make hasty decisions!" ”

"Sloppy? You say my decision was hasty? ”

"Weichen doesn't dare!" Xue Juzheng said: "Official! If all the funds of the treasury are invested in the construction of Jinmingchi, once the war breaks out, the treasury is empty, and the military salary is at a loss, then the Great Song Dynasty will be in danger! ”

"That's it! It's not as serious as you say, I'm a million heroes in the Great Song Dynasty, why is it in danger? ”

As he was talking, Zhao Dezhao walked over quickly with a few pieces of paper, his head was full of sweat, and he bowed down and said: "The officials, Weichen and their subordinates have already roughly calculated, according to one million people, the food expenses and food silver for two years are expected to reach 20 million, plus the construction cost calculated earlier is 10 million, and the total cost will reach 30 million!" ”

30 million yuan, equivalent to 30 billion yuan. Zhao Guangyi frowned, and said to Empress Kaibao's concubines: "Except for the flower concubine, the rest will retreat!" ”

After they all retreated, Zhao Guangyi asked Zhao Dezhao: "How much is the current military savings?" ”

"Military spending is 22 million."

That is to say, all the military savings used to invest in the construction of Jinming Pond are not enough. Zhao Guangyi said again: "What about the grain? ”

"Eighty percent of the military rations will be used!"

If there is no grain and grass, then how can you attack the Northern Han and Daliao?

Zhao Guangyi looked at the stamen. But Blossom tilted her head to the side, looking greedily at the scenery below. It's like a canary that has been locked in a birdcage for a long time can finally spread its wings and soar under the blue sky. Zhao Guangyi looked at her, thought about it for a long time, and said: "In this way, 400,000 migrant workers will be transferred, and the rest of the workers will be used in the forbidden army in the capital!" In this way, you can save more than half of the food expenses and labor and food silver. ”

Chu Zhaofu hurriedly said: "Absolutely not! The forbidden army is the elite of the Beijing Division, how can it be used to dig lakes and build gardens? If so, then who is the Jingshi? ”

Several of the other deacons chimed in. Except for Ludosun who was silent.

Zhao Guangyi looked at him again: "Lu Qing, what do you think?" ”

Lu Duoxun bowed and said: "The minister thinks that Chen Hongjin and Qian Yu have surrendered one after another, and now the south has been unified, and only the northern Han is left in the north. If the Northern Han Dynasty did not have the support of the Liao Dynasty, it could be said that it was vulnerable. And the Liao Dynasty is also quite jealous of my Great Song Dynasty, I really use troops against the Northern Han, and they will not go all out to help. Therefore, to conquer the Northern Han Dynasty, there is no need for an elite forbidden army, and the army along the northern border is enough! After the defeat of the Northern Han Dynasty, Jin Mingchi has been completed, and after two years of tempering, the forbidden army will be greatly strengthened, and the attack will be invincible. It will be able to sweep the Liao Dynasty and go straight to Beijing! ”

Zhao Guangyi was very happy, squinted and listened, and nodded again and again.

Chu Zhaofu said in a deep voice: "You mean to use the Xiang army to go to the Northern Expedition?" Isn't that self-defeating? ”

Zhao Kuangyin, Taizu of the Song Dynasty, gathered the elite soldiers in the army from all over the country and formed the so-called "forbidden army", that is, the regular elite descendant troops, mainly concentrated near the capital to defend Kyoto. The remaining old, weak, sick and disabled remained in the local area, called the "Xiang Army". Mainly engaged in various miscellaneous labors. That's why it's also called "conscription". Although they are also engaged in combat when necessary, their combat effectiveness is very poor.

Shen Lun, the second minister, also said: "Lord Lu, if you don't understand military affairs, don't come up with random ideas and disturb the thoughts of the officials, except for chaos in the future, you can't afford it!" ”

Ludosun smiled and didn't refute.

Zhao Guangyi said with a gloomy face: "Shen Qing, you said that Lu Qing doesn't understand military affairs, don't you understand?" ”

Shen Lun hurriedly bowed down and said, "Weichen doesn't understand either. ”

"That's it, since you don't understand, how do you know that Lu Qing's idea is not good?"

"This ......"

Zhao Guangyi said to Cao Bin: "You are the only general here who has led the army to fight, you say, if I lead 200,000 Xiang troops, can I conquer the Northern Han Dynasty?" ”

The Northern Han people were poor and weak, and the army was only 10,000 or 20,000 people. In fact, it is not the opponent of Da Song at all. And Zhao Kuangyin attacked the Northern Han at that time, and took the siege of the city to send reinforcements, not really to take the Northern Han, at that time the consideration was to keep the Northern Han and act as a barrier and buffer between the Liao Dynasty, so every time it was a feint, and when the army of the Liao State came to the rescue, he withdrew back. If it is attacked now, as long as the Liao Dynasty does not go all out to help, the Song Dynasty can completely take the Northern Han Dynasty even if it uses 200,000 Xiang troops. What's more, Zhao Guangyi said that he wanted to drive the expedition in person, so who would dare to say that he would fail?

Therefore, Cao Bin arched his hand and said: "The official family is personally recruited, and the morale of the generals is high, and it will definitely be invincible. However, the construction of Jinming Pond still needs to be ......"

Zhao Guangyi waved his hand, stopped him from talking, and asked Shen Lun with a smile: "Shen Qing, did you hear it?" ”

Shen Lun sweated on his forehead, and said in a low voice: "Weichen......, I heard ......"

Xue Juzheng was still kneeling on the ground, and the official Zhao Guangyi didn't let him get up, so he didn't dare to get up. Hearing this, he couldn't help but say: "But the official family, with the Xiang army to fight, the casualties will definitely increase dramatically, it is better to let the forbidden army attack the Northern Han Dynasty, and let the Xiang army dig the Jinming Pond ......"

"No need!" Zhao Guangyi interrupted Xue Juzheng's words, "The distance between north and south is thousands of miles, what do you do with the labor and money that the soldiers are transferred around?" Attacking the Northern Han Dynasty, the 200,000 Xiang army can't take it, what's the use of raising these soldiers? I have made up my mind, and the forbidden army near the capital has all been put into labor. The capital is fine now, they don't need to be stupid, it's time for activities. The remaining 400,000 will be transferred from all over the country. The army has its own food and pay. In addition, you only need to give it to those who are transferred to the people, so that you can reduce the expenditure by about half. The amount of money should be reduced as appropriate, and the total expenditure should be kept within 15 million yuan. In this way, there are still seven million military expenses, which is enough to attack the Northern Han. After the capture of the Northern Han, our military supplies will naturally be replenished. At that time, Jin Mingchi was almost built, and the forbidden army could be pulled out and attacked the Liao State! ”

Xue Juzheng and the others were taken aback again, and Xue Juzheng hurriedly said: "After the official family fights the Northern Han Dynasty, they will send troops to the Liao State?" ”

"Yes, otherwise, what will I do to attack the Northern Han and destroy this barrier with the Liao State?"

"However, most of the military expenditure has been used in Jinmingchi, and the 400,000 people in the country have worked hard for two years, where do they still have the strength to support the front? The Liao Dynasty is different from the Northern Han Dynasty, their military strength is no less than my Great Song Dynasty, that is, the first emperor after raising more than ten years of military salaries, and did not dare to rashly act on the Liao Dynasty, now the official family built Jinming Pond, built a large number of buildings, and spent most of the treasury silver military spending, once the Liao State faced off, I am afraid that it will be difficult for us to win......

Zhao Guangyi snorted coldly and said, "Xue Qing, I have already said that the matter of going out to fight only needs to be known by the privy envoys, and they will perform their duties loyally." Xue Qing didn't have to ask. Well, that's all I told you to hear. The rest of the time, let's go out and play. You've been busy with government affairs all the time, and now I'm going to give you a few days to have a good time! - Xue Qing, get up! ”

Xue Juzheng slowly got up at this time, bowed down and said, "Official, this matter of Jin Mingchi ......"

Zhao Guangyi was displeased, and said in a deep voice: "What I said, didn't Xue Qing hear it?" ”

"Wechen doesn't dare."

"Then you will retreat, settle your tents, and after an hour, go with me!"

"Commandment!"

After that, they all retired.

Hua Rui glanced at Zhao Guangyi, and also said in a low voice: "The concubine also retired." ”

"Stamen!" Zhao Guangyi hurriedly stepped forward to stop him, and said in a low voice: "I have offended these ministers in order to build Jinming Pond for you, and I can be regarded as affectionate and righteous for you, right?" ”

Hua Rui said: "Looking at their appearance today, I'm afraid that this matter will not be settled, and after they go back, they are likely to collude with other ministers to find a way to stop this matter." In the final analysis, it is the Jiangshan Sheji that is the most important, and they think that the dissuasion of the construction of Jinmingchi is for the sake of the Jiangshan Sheji, but they don't know the importance of the water army. It's a shame. ”

"Yes, Blossom's idea is very good, I will prepare a navy army and start training. At the time of the Northern Expedition, it might be useful. ”

"Not perhaps, for sure!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Hey. When the navy is completed, I will accompany Hua Rui to command the navy to practice, how about it? ”

Hua Rui smiled: "This water army is the idea that Hua Rui came up with, and the official family will let Hua Rui serve as the marshal of the water army!" ”

"No problem!" Zhao Guangyi laughed, "With a naval marshal like Hua Rui, the morale of the naval soldiers is even higher!" Hahaha. ”

Subsequently, Zhao Guangyi took Hua Rui, the concubines, and Xue Juzheng and a few other deacons to walk down the mountain, along the road by the lake of the predetermined Jinming Pond, and wandered all the way. Zhao Dezhao was on the side, according to the plan on the drawings, explaining that some kind of pavilions and palaces would be built in a certain place, Zhao Guangyi listened, and discussed a few words with Hua Rui from time to time, and felt that it was not good, so he proposed a revision. Zhao Dezhao and the officials who followed him were busy writing it down and revising it.

At noon, Zhao Guangyi beckoned everyone to sit on the grass and eat, watching Enxue Juzheng and other old ministers sweating profusely, and they couldn't help but laugh and laugh.

Xue Juzheng was only thinking about the matter of Jin Mingchi in his head, and he had the intention to talk and laugh with the official family, but the official family had already said that he was not allowed to talk about Jin Mingchi again, so he couldn't say anything about it. The only way to go back is to contact the officials of the Imperial Court and other princes and ministers to jointly write a letter to dissuade the officials from stopping this absurd project.

After lunch, we went on a tour and listened to Zhao Dezhao explain the buildings along the way.

Suddenly, a lot of animals came out from the front, including hares, pheasants, foxes, red deer, and so on. When they saw them, they fled in panic. But it turned out that it was Wang Jien who asked the forbidden army who came to investigate the scene to guard the day before the first day to bring all the wild things on the mountain here. When the officials came to the vicinity, they let go of the encirclement and were heading towards the officials. That's why they see so many wild things.

(To be continued)