On the first day of the first month of the seventh year of Xiande, the wheel of the times began to turn slowly.

The small court obviously didn't realize what kind of changes were taking place nearby, and even the Empress Dowager Fu was not busy doing one thing. Change the yuan.

The little emperor Chai Zongxun did not have a year name of his own, so this year was called "the seventh year of Xiande" or "the second year of Emperor Gong" (the first year was the sixth year of Xiande).

On the first day of the first lunar month, many businessmen fled the city in a hurry, and a strange news was circulating in the market: the 200,000-strong army of the Northern Han and Khitan was heading south.

The city of Tokyo was occupied by the Khitans, which was a matter of the Later Jin Dynasty, and the Jin Emperor was directly captured by the Khitan Khan.

Many elderly people still remember this occupation vividly, but the feeling of the Khitan people is actually not bad.

"As long as all the wine and meat are gone, the main thing to rob is the royal wealth......"

But the Khitan Khan was also hot-tempered, and if they encountered strong resistance, they could slaughter the city.

Therefore, when the wise people heard that the Khitans were coming, they hurriedly evacuated their families and wealth to the countryside.

There is only one person between the market and the imperial court, you know, all the courts cannot rely solely on their own suppliers, most of the time, the eunuchs are buying in the market, and the news of the Khitan invasion naturally reached the Empress Dowager Fu.

Although Empress Dowager Fu is the daughter of Jiangmen, when it comes to fighting, it is a standard crab without legs, compared with the eldest sister Empress Fu's deep involvement in court politics, Empress Fu is basically incomprehensible to the court and government affairs, at this time she has only one choice, and quickly went to the prime minister to discuss.

In the Tang Dynasty, the Five Dynasties and the Song Dynasty, the prime minister was not one person, but several people, and the governors of the three provinces, the privy councillors, the same subordinates, and the governors could all be called prime ministers.

For example, the prime ministers of the Great Zhou Dynasty now, the most important ones are Kaifuyi and the three divisions Fan Qian, the right servant Wang Pu and the Zhongshu Shilang Criminal Department Shangshu Wei Renpu, these three have different temperaments and temperaments.

Lord Fan Zhen is a smart person, and he is the kind of old minister who has always persuaded Chai Rong not to kill people indiscriminately.

Lord Wang Pu is good at recommending talents, but if you want to talk about the ability to grasp the situation, look at his old man Wang Zuo, we will probably be able to know a thing or two.

On the contrary, Lord Wei Renpu, who ranked third and was only crowned prime minister by Chai Rong half a year ago, is a strong and heroic old minister, although he is only in his early fifties, but he is the founder of the Great Zhou.

Later, when Guo Wei, Taizu of Zhou, heard that the Emperor of the Later Han Dynasty was going to arrest him, he once wanted to give up resistance and commit suicide.

It was Wei Renpu who persuaded him:

"You are the minister of the country, you have always been innocent and praised by the world, and now you have a heavy army. Defend the town. Once framed by the villain, there is no escape from the disaster. Things have developed to this point, you can't sit back and wait for death! ”

Guo Wei finally decided to raise an army against the Han Dynasty, and only then did he have the world of the Great Zhou. Later, during the Battle of Gaoping, the war was unfavorable, and it was Wei Renpu who encouraged the soldiers and affected a large number of people.

It can be said that Wei Renpu is the most knowledgeable of the three Zaiji.

The three prime ministers met the Queen Mother and saw the ceremony, and the Empress Dowager Fu hurriedly talked about the news of the Khitan entry into the Kou.

After hearing the news, Wang Pu's face turned pale.

He vaguely heard a little news.

Since the beginning of last year, there has been a strange saying in the city of Tokyo:

"There is no master in the world."

There is only one possibility for this kind of news to appear, and that is that someone has ambitions.

The dynasty is like that, and it is impossible for a child to give any guarantees.

A seven-year-old child said that he would give you glory and wealth and make you a generalissimo, can you believe it?

Of course not.

It's the same today, a seven-year-old kid gives a reward of 10,000 yuan to the game streamer, and his parents come back to ask you for it, and you have to return it to him, because he is not an adult.

Therefore, there should be an adult behind any little emperor, and this person must be a ruthless person first, and he must also be a ruthless person who does not pursue usurpation.

For example, Huo Guang stood behind Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty, Xiaozhuang stood behind Shunzhi and Kangxi, Cixi stood behind Tongzhi, and behind Mingshenzong there were Queen Mother, Feng Bao and Zhang Juzheng.

If Empress Fu does not have the ability to rule, she should have a strong minister who can control the generals, or a prince like Dolgon, who is willing to control the soldiers and horses, but because of her love for the queen mother, she will not end up in person.

It's a pity that Chai Rong entrusted three people, two of whom are prime ministers, but not the material of the ministers.

This is a common problem of five generations of ministers, flexibility and toughness are enough, but the words rigid and courageous are far from enough.

Some people say that this has something to do with the fact that Zhu Wen, the Taizu of Later Liang, killed all the courtiers and interrupted the cultural context.

In fact, it's not that complicated, that is, everyone doesn't want to die.

Lord Wang Pu was born as a champion, and if you want to talk about employing people and handling politics, he understands.

But when he heard that the Khitans were coming, there was no better way, so he felt that he should summon troops to King Qin, and Li Chongjin and Fu Yanqing called back, and the number of people was overwhelming, so he scared the enemy away. This style of play also makes sense, and this is how the Ming Dynasty fought against the Qing soldiers who came in over the Great Wall several times.

Today's little hooligans clash in nightclubs are also like this, calling people, and people are called on both sides, and they have more knives than anyone else, and they have more knives, so they don't fight.

Lord Fan Zhen's attitude is completely different, Lord Fan is also worried about the rumors that "there is no master in the world", what he is most worried about is the feudal town, especially Li Chongjin, this person has the blood of Taizu, if he starts to fight for the throne, it will be a big trouble.

Master Fan Zhen thought about it:

"Let the Lord of the Inspectorate take command of the expedition."

He recommended Zhao Kuangyin, and this choice is understandable.

Zhao Kuangyin is the person selected by Chai Rong, and he is also the most capable general in the Great Zhou now, there is no one, the biggest advantage of Zhao Kuangyin leading the troops is that he can tell the feudal town that the forbidden army of the Great Zhou is still strong and can still fight, and at the same time, it can also crush the rumors of the unstable political situation in Tokyo City.

When Empress Dowager Fu heard this, she felt that Zhao Kuangyin was obviously more suitable than Li Chongjin, Zhao Kuangyin was a familiar person to Empress Dowager Fu and an in-law, and this person was a gentle big face, and he looked better than Li Chongjin's eagle-like person.

Unfamiliar, looking at interpersonal relationships; I don't know, look at the appearance.

Empress Dowager Fu then opened her mouth to praise: "I think Master Fan's idea is better." ”

After finishing speaking, she remembered that she hadn't asked Wei Renpu's idea yet, the most silent prime minister among the Big Three.

Compared with the other two young masters, Lord Wei is a standard native.

Wei Daren was born in a poor family, and after finishing his studies, he came to Luoyang to make a living.

On the boat, Wei Renpu threw his shabby shirt into Jishui, and said: "If you are not developed, you will never return to your hometown by river!" ”

This heroism vanished as soon as he entered the city.

The soldiers guarding the city gate saw that he was disheveled, and fined him fifty denias on the spot.

Lord Wei later became a minor official of the Privy Council.

He was not so eloquent, nor would he talk highly, without grace, nor with his appearance, but when he joined the army to conquer the Khitan, he became a trusted person of Guo Wei, the general who later became the emperor—he remembered all the figures about both the enemy and the enemy—soldiers and horses, grain and grass, and baggage.

Being able to manage a large army digitally was the most lacking type of person in the medieval army.

Lord Wei listened to Wang Pu and Fan Zhen's opinions, and heard that Empress Dowager Fu was willing to listen to Fan Zhen, and knew that things were no longer good, but he still tried to say what he thought.

"Queen Mother, when something comes to our ears, we should first judge whether there is one, and then decide what to do." Wei Renpu said.

As soon as this sturdy and heroic old minister spoke, the two Jinshi masters felt ashamed, and neither of them confirmed the source of the news.

"The military department has not received a setback, and the border town has not sent an urgent report, so I don't know why the troops should be sent immediately." Wei Renpu looked at Fan Zhen and Wang Pu and said.

"What does Lord Wei mean that we are going to stand still?" Empress Dowager Fu was a little unhappy.

"Queen Mother, where did your news come from?" Wei Renpu asked rhetorically.

"It was a lieutenant who heard it." The Queen Mother said.

"If the lieutenant hears this kind of news, he should quickly notify the Kaifeng Mansion or the Criminal Department, and we will check the source of this news, which is serious, and without judgment, I will say it to the Queen Mother, this is a rumor to confuse the master, and such a slave should be killed." Wei Renpu said.

This old man!

Fan Zhen and Wang Pu both sighed, didn't this sentence offend the Queen Mother, and to kill the eunuch henchmen under the Queen Mother, this is not something that the Minister of Gu Ming should open casually.

"This can't be done, this is a person who is loyal to me, so he told me, I have already come to discuss with you, Lord Wei still wants to kill my people, do you think I have too many henchmen?" Empress Dowager Fu suddenly fell into a state of confrontation.

"The minister has no such intention!" Wei Renpu knelt down and bowed.

"And what do you think it should be?" Empress Dowager Fu also felt that the words were too serious, so she asked Wei Renpu.

"Taiwei Li is in Shanxi, the King of Wei is in Hebei, the Khitan army has a movement, they will definitely have a performance, I suggest that we send fast horses to Hebei and Shanxi to listen to the news, and at the same time let the forbidden arms in Tokyo fight, confirm that there is an enemy situation and then attack, it may be more secure." Wei Renpu said.

Li Taiwei is Li Yun, a famous general of the Great Zhou.

King Wei, that is, Fu Yanqing, the father of the Empress Dowager Fu, is an old qualified envoy and a famous general, Chai Rong named him a lieutenant and a prince, hoping that he can become a powerful protector of his grandson.

Wei Renpu's words are very convincing, for Empress Dowager Fu, this is her father's best backer.

"There is a saying, called the speed of soldiers," Fan Zhen said, "King Wei is the father of the Queen Mother, loyalty can be guaranteed, if the matter of entering the Kou is simply Li Yun doing the game, then even if we send an envoy, it will be useless, the forbidden army will go north as soon as possible, and the situation can be stabilized." ”

This old man is almost going to give Empress Dowager Fu a headache to death.

One with a long beard, one with a white beard, and one with a white beard.

This is more than 1,000 years ago, the "two short and one long choose the longest" multiple-choice question Dafa has not yet been invented, and the Empress Dowager Fu is a woman in her twenties, so she can only choose by intuition.

"Let the inspection send troops tomorrow," said Empress Dowager Fu, "and we will send envoys at the same time to inquire about the news from Shanxi and Hebei." ”

"Queen Mother!" Wei Renpu knelt down and pleaded, "Wait a little longer, no matter whose conspiracy it is, now they hope that we will send troops as soon as possible, such as today's cold and freezing, how can the Khitans and the Northern Han use so many troops!" Calculate their national strength, grain and grass, and know that someone is using a trick! In this matter, it is not Zhao Kuangyin who benefits, but Li Chongjin! ”

This time, Wei Renpu offended both Wang Pu and Fan Zhen, and the two generals they protected were put in by Wei Renpu.

Wang Pu coughed dryly and began to explain:

"Although it is cold, it is not strange for the people of the Khitan North to send troops in winter, and in this weather, the Yellow River, Bianhe, and Jishui are all frozen, and the cavalry of the Khitan people can be flattened."

"Well, Lord Wang is right," said Empress Dowager Fu, "then without further ado, let Zhao Dianjian send troops!" ”

Wei Renpu watched the situation spiral out of control.

Half an hour later, Empress Dowager Fu hugged Chai Zongxun and accepted Zhao Kuangyin's interview.

"The news of the invasion of the Northern Han and Khitan, have you heard about it?" The Queen Mother asked.

"I heard that the enemy situation is all the way in Shanxi." Zhao Kuangyin replied.

"Check and hurry up and set out for the battle." Empress Dowager Fu ordered.

"I'm afraid ......I can't do it," Zhao Kuangyin kowtowed and apologized.

"Can't do it!" The Queen Mother was taken aback.

"The minister belongs, only the pro-army in front of the palace, most of this part has to protect His Majesty and the Queen Mother, plus the German army in the minister's headquarters, the force that can be mobilized is no more than 20,000 people, if the forbidden army is allowed to go out to fight against the 200,000 enemy troops of the Northern Han and Khitan, it is undoubtedly an egg to hit the stone."

"The first emperor is newly mourned, leaving us orphans and widows," Empress Dowager Fu looked at the childish Chai Zongxun, "Wen relies on the three prime ministers, and Wu relies on the inspection, now that the enemy is invading, do you want to let the emperor be young and unable to conquer the imperial family?" ”

"Empress Dowager Qi, it's a good idea to drive the expedition in person!" Wei Renpu said suddenly.

Fan Zhen and Wang Pu hated it so much that their teeth itched.

Seven-year-old child, Chai Rong's only seedling, he is afraid of catching a cold when he goes to the wild in winter, you let him go to Shanxi to fight the Khitans, Wei Renpu, what kind of heart do you have!

"No! Your Majesty is the foundation of the country, how can you go into battle in person! Fan Zhen hurriedly knelt down and admonished.

Only Zhao Kuangyin was secretly frightened.

Zhao Kuangyin refused to send troops, in fact, there were two intentions:

First, it was Zhao Kuangyin who couldn't seem to be in a hurry to send troops, so it was easy to be associated with wanting to lead the troops out.

Second, Zhao Kuangyin said that the troops are not enough, it is true, without the appointment of the Queen Mother, the Ministry of War and the Privy Council, Zhao Kuangyin is not the commander-in-chief of the national soldiers and horses, only the commander of the forbidden army, it is too dangerous to do things.

If it is really according to Wei Renpu's arrangement, let the emperor drive the expedition in person, Zhao Kuangyin will be in trouble.

At this time, if you want to think of things, you have to imprison or kill the little emperor, this is something that public opinion and Zhao Kuangyin's conscience cannot accept, if the emperor walks with him, he is afraid that he can only obediently be a loyal minister, and since then he has broken this idea.

Wei Renpu almost changed history with one idea.

Unfortunately, this idea didn't work.

Wei Renpu was still confronting Fan Zhen Wang Pu: "Two adults, why can't Your Majesty personally conquer?" Every time the first emperor fought, he was at the forefront. ”

Empress Dowager Fu finally couldn't help it, she interrupted Wei Renpu loudly: "Lord Wei, look at this child!" He's only seven years old! Don't you think you're too ruthless? ”

Wei Renpu lowered his head: "The minister is afraid. ”

Empress Dowager Fu stepped forward and grabbed Zhao Kuangyin's sleeve.

"Check, you are the person trusted by the first emperor, don't let him down. Our mother and son are counting on the loyalty of the inspection. ”

Zhao Kuangyin kowtowed and thanked him.

"It is decreed that before the palace, the generalissimo of the world's soldiers and horses will be checked, and the generalissimo of the world's soldiers and horses will be mobilized to resist the Northern Han Khitan." Empress Dowager Fu announced.

She didn't consult the three old men again.

Some women are like this, for things that are too troublesome and cumbersome, they will hand them over to a trusted man to pull them down.

"Wei Renpu once conquered the Khitan, please join the army for the capital inspection!" Wei Renpu still tried to make a last ditch effort.

He bet that Zhao Kuangyin would not dare to kill him.

The toad crawls on the surface of your feet, and if it can't bite you, it will disgust you, if you want to raise troops, kill me first, so that you can leave a reputation in the history of killing the minister of Gu Ming!

If at this time, Empress Dowager Fu is blessed to the soul and orders Wei Renpu to be the supervisor of the army (note that he is not joining the army), I am afraid that this matter will have a turnaround.

But Zhao Kuangyin looked embarrassed.

It's going to collapse again.

At this time, Wang Pu came out to play a round.

"Why don't you invite King Wei to be the overseer?" Wang Pubao is the father of the Empress Dowager Fu.

"That's right." Empress Dowager Fu said to Wang Pu.

Zhao Kuangyin breathed a sigh of relief, because before he met Fu Yanqing, what he should have done must have been done.

After the meeting, everyone walked out of the palace gate.

Fan Zhen suddenly grabbed Zhao Kuangyin's sleeve.

"Check, I am the one who tries my best to protect you, I believe in you, you don't harm me, my net worth and life are all on your loyalty." Fan said.

Fan Zhen is not Zhao Kuangyin's person, and he is also afraid that Zhao Kuangyin will really seize the throne.

Zhao Kuangyin made a gesture, turned around and left.

"Women, children, two scholars," Wei Renpu laughed madly, "big victory, hahahaha!" ”