The meaning of this passage is simple, in a nutshell:

As a monarch, the first principle is to have the people in mind, and if you harm the interests of the people and support yourself, it is like cutting off the meat from your legs and eating it in your belly, although you can fill your stomach, you will also perish.

Tick bar.

Fang Xiu scolded Fang Xuan, wrote an article in a free manner, folded it, handed it to the guards on the side, and ordered: "Eight hundred miles expedited, send it to Your Majesty!" ”

"Yes! Xiangye! ”

The guard did not dare to slack off in the slightest, reached out to take the letter, and walked away quickly.

Fang Xiu sat on the Taishi chair, looking at his back, the light in his eyes was extremely profound.

Sometimes, when you go far, the way you think about problems will change unconsciously.

At this time, it is time to stop and think about why you set out in the first place.

Come to this world, become the prime minister of a country, be glorious and rich, and enjoy inexhaustible.

What Fang Xiu pursued was not just the so-called destruction of the kingdoms and the hegemony of dominating the world.

But......

All the people in the world, everyone has food to eat, everyone has clothes to wear!

In other words - the world is the same!

It was almost an impossible goal to achieve, but Fang Xiu was willing to work for it.

Of course.

Today's Fang Xiu is just the prime minister of Daqian, and his thoughts and worries are naturally for the people of Daqian.

For a war to annex the Zhou State, hundreds of thousands of people in a state were sacrificed.

If he really did this, Fang Xiu would also deviate from his original intention.

It wasn't what he was asking for.

As the ancients said, prosperity makes the people bitter; Death, the people suffer.

If the great cadres rise and fall, the people will suffer.

So what is the significance of his efforts?

It's nothing more than a hundred years later, leaving a false name in the history books as a hero in troubled times and a capable minister who rules the world, and this is exactly the thing he cares about the most!

That's it.

Fang Xiu no longer hesitated, dipped his pen in ink, and wrote again.

After a few moments, the last word came down.

He folded the letter, handed it to the guards, and ordered: "Give this letter to Bai Qi, don't let others see it, let alone fall into the hands of the Zhou people!" ”

After a pause, he said with a solemn face: "This letter is very involved, and you will personally escort it, if you can't send it to Xinyi City, you will destroy it." ”

When the guard heard this, his face showed a solemn look and he bowed dignifiedly.

"The humble position must live up to the trust of the party!"

With that, he reached out and took the letter, saluted again, and turned to leave.

A gentle breeze brings a hint of jasmine.

The little lady on the stage rested for a while and continued to sing.

The tune is elegant, although it is summer, it gives people a sense of frost and snow.

In a trance, it seems to be able to see, a branch of cold plum standing in the wind and snow, clear and straight, dark fragrance mild.

Fang Xiu sat on the Taishi chair, listened to the pleasant tune, slowly closed his eyes, and recuperated.

Half an hour later.

Several horses galloped out of the Wochuan Mansion and separated at the junction, one to the south and the other to the north.

The horses to the south, all the way unimpeded, sent the letter into the palace in just one day.

In the Temple of Nourishing the Heart.

Wu Mingkong opened the letter and browsed it from top to bottom, his delicate face looked extremely solemn, and his good-looking peach blossom eyes were very focused.

"For the way of the king, the people must be saved first, if the people are harmed to serve their bodies, it is like cutting the shares to eat the belly, and the stomach is full and the body is killed......"

"Well said!"

Looking at it, Wu Mingkong's peach blossom eyes couldn't help but burst out with a light.

Obviously, she agrees with the contents of this letter from the bottom of her heart.

But see the end.

Her face showed a melancholy look, her long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her mood was slightly complicated.

She originally thought that in the face of the great opportunity to destroy the Zhou Kingdom, Fang Xiu would definitely not give up!

It is nothing more than the hundreds of thousands of people in Huizhou.

For a man who turns a deer into a horse, what is it to give up some insignificant people?

However, Fang Xiu's reply was completely different from what she imagined.

At the beginning of the letter, he first expounded the so-called way of being a king, and warned her not to forget her original heart.

Later, he analyzed the harm of selling the people's fields and giving up disaster relief, as well as the progress of the war with the Zhou State.

In the end, it was concluded that no matter from what point of view, opening a warehouse to release grain and help the people was the best choice for the imperial court.

In addition to this, he also analyzed whether it was appropriate to negotiate peace with Zhou Guo at this moment, and the arguments were detailed and convincing.

To sum it all up, in a nutshell.

The people must give alms.

The war with the Zhou State can be fought or not.

If the result of the negotiation is beneficial to the imperial court, then peace negotiation is the best choice.

After all, no one knows what the attitude of Emperor Yan and Emperor Wu was towards the destruction of Zhou by the imperial court.

If Emperor Yan and Emperor Wu had made up their minds to aid the Zhou State, then the imperial court would have started a war with the Three Kingdoms at the same time.

Even if victory can be achieved in the end, it will be a great price, and it is better to accept the peace negotiation.

If it is the result of the negotiations, the imperial court ...... In other words, Fang Xiu couldn't accept it.

Then, if this war continues, it is nothing more than to follow the example of Yan State, plunder the land controlled by Zhou State, and suffer the people of Zhou State.

Of course, doing so will bring a new problem, that is, to deepen the hatred between the imperial court and the ordinary people of the Zhou state, and lay the foundation for the future annexation of the Zhou state by the imperial court.

However, there is no such thing as a double law.

For Fang Xiu, this was the best option he could think of at the moment.

"Fang Xiu, I thought I knew you well enough, but I didn't expect that my understanding of you was still so superficial......"

Wu Mingkong sat on the dragon chair, looked at the letter in his hand, and subconsciously muttered to himself.

On the side, when Lin Wan'er heard this, her eyes showed curiosity, and she thought to herself, Fang Xiang should not really raise a group of little ladies in Yongzhou, otherwise, for no reason, why would His Majesty make such a sigh?

Just when she was cranky.

The empress's solemn voice suddenly sounded.

"Du Chen'an, the secretary of the Ministry of Summoning, Qin Xingyan, the secretary of the Ministry of Households, Zhao Zizheng, the servant of the Ministry of Works, Shi Hairui of the left capital, and Daji of the Royal Bank, entered the palace to meet him."

Summoning so many important ministers at once, what's the big deal?

Lin Wan'er was slightly stunned, and hurriedly responded: "Yes, Your Majesty!" ”

An hour later.

Several important ministers of the imperial court, all of whom were second-rank officials, all came to the outside of the Heart Cultivation Palace.

"The ministers ask to see Your Majesty!"

"Accurate!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Qin Xingyan and the others walked into the Heart Nourishing Palace, stood in a row, and saluted in unison.

On the dragon chair, Wu Mingkong raised his eyes to look at them, his gaze was cold, without any emotion.

"The Beiliu River burst its embankment, and hundreds of thousands of people in Huizhou became victims overnight, what do you think about this matter?"

When several important ministers heard this, they subconsciously glanced at each other, and they were all silent.

Only Hai Rui straightened his waist and said with a solemn face: "The minister thinks that the top priority is to open a warehouse and release grain, and help the people, and secondly, the imperial history should be sent to strictly investigate the cause of the Beiliu River bursting. ”

The voice fell.

Zhao Zizheng echoed: "The minister seconded the proposal!" ”

Side.

Du Chenan and Qin Xingyan, who are also members of the Fang Party with Hai Rui, remained silent.

As soon as the Beiliu River burst its embankment, they had already entered the palace to make a report.

What should have been said, it was already said at that time, and there is no point in talking about it now.

Meantime.

They knew in their hearts that His Majesty must have already thought of a way to deal with them when he summoned them at this time.

Asking for their opinion is just a matter of routine.

If His Majesty does not agree with the plan proposed by Hai Jui, His Majesty will definitely make an attitude, and then it will not be too late for them to stand up again.

"What Haiqing's family said is very true."

Wu Mingkong nodded, looked at Qin Xingyan, and said lightly: "The matter of helping the people will be handed over to the household department, how many people in Huizhou are affected by the disaster, how much food is needed, how much grain can be taken out of the granary in Huizhou, and how much needs to be allocated. ”

Hearing this, Qin Xingyan's heart sank, and his old face showed hesitation, and he didn't reply for a long time.

Wu Mingkong had expected such a reaction to him, and said lightly:

"Relief for the victims is not only my decision, but also the decision of Fang Xiang, although the grand plan is important, the hundreds of thousands of people in a state are equally important!

Those people have not seen me, and I have not seen them.

But I know that they all regard me as my monarch father, and Fang Xiu as my father, and they are my people!

Is there a father in the world who sits idly by and does nothing while his children suffer? ”

The voice fell.

Several important ministers were stunned, and then, their faces were moved, and they saluted in unison.

"Your Majesty Shengming!"

Only Lin Wan'er behind her muttered in her heart, those people should regard Your Majesty as the monarch's mother, right?

Although he was worried that the supply of military food at the front line would not be available, he heard that it was Fang Xiang's decision.

Qin Xingyan no longer hesitated, and bowed: "After the minister goes back, he will immediately start to supervise the disaster relief, please rest assured, the minister will definitely live up to His Majesty's trust!" Don't let Huizhou starve to death! ”

These words are loud and clear.

Wu Mingkong listened, although there was no expression on his face, he was very satisfied in his heart.

Then, she set her eyes on Hai Rui's body and ordered: "Investigate the cause of the bursting of the Beiliu River, and hand it over to the Metropolitan Procuratorate, whether it is a natural disaster or a man-made disaster, I want a clear conclusion!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Hai Rui stood upright, and he was right.

Wu Mingkong nodded, then looked at Zhao Zizheng, the waiter of the Ministry of Works, and said solemnly: "Rebuilding the embankment is a matter of great importance, and I hope that the Ministry of Works can complete it in the shortest possible time, and don't let me down." ”

Zhao Zizheng saluted and said: "The minister must live up to His Majesty's trust!" ”

Wu Mingkong nodded, looked at Daji, the president of the Royal Bank on the side, and said with a straight face: "To help the victims of the disaster and rebuild the embankment, silver will be used, and if the silver in the treasury is not enough, I hope that the Royal Bank can provide sufficient loans without affecting the turnover." ”

When Daji heard this, her charming little face showed a hint of hesitation, and she did not immediately agree.

There was silence for a moment before he saluted: "The minister will do his best." ”

Seeing this, Wu Mingkong didn't say much, waved his hand and said, "Let's go down." ”

"Wait for the resignation!"

After saluting, several important ministers turned around and left the Heart Cultivation Palace.

In an instant.

Only Wu Mingkong and Lin Wan'er were left in the huge palace.

Wu Mingkong sat on the dragon chair, thinking back to everything just now, and suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion in his body and mind.

When Fang Xiu was here, there were many things that she didn't need to ask.

At that time, she just wanted as many rights as possible and handled more government affairs.

However, only now, she found out that it turned out to be ...... That's a heavy burden!

A moment.

She was extremely nostalgic for the time when Fang Xiu handled all the important matters on her own.

Fang Xiu...... When will you be back. ”

The little empress shouted in her heart, her little head pillowed her arms, and she lay on the dragon case.

............

Lutheran City.

100,000 tigers in heavy armor and shields stood in place.

Each of them had sharp eyes and resolute expressions, like a sculpture, facing the city wall.

Behind them.

There were also 100,000 troops, with different weapons in their hands, arranged in different phalanxes.

The black and beautiful piece gives people a strong sense of oppression.

The rear of the crowd.

Xie Qian, the head of the cabinet of Zhou, and Wang Zhi, the eunuch of the ceremonial superintendent Bingbi, sat on the chariot, looked ahead, and quietly waited for the war to start.

"An army of 200,000 is attacking the city with all its might, even if Bai Qi has great ability, he will have to tear off a piece of meat!"

"After three days and three nights of onslaught, let's see if he can still be as arrogant as before!"

Wang Zhi seemed to remember the insult he received in Xinyi City that day, and said with a gloomy face.

When Xie Qian heard this, he raised his eyes and glanced at him, sighed in his heart, and his old face showed a trace of sorrow.

Apparently.

He didn't expect much from this siege battle.

After all.

As the chief assistant of the cabinet, no one knows better than him what the situation is in the imperial court.

The 100,000 tiger army supported by the royal family is indeed the elite of the elite.

But the 100,000 guards gathered from all over the country may not use any rusty weapons, and they can be expected to fight any kind of battle.

Even with such thoughts.

He still chose to come to the front of the battle to watch the battle, just because he wanted to assess the possibility of negotiating with Qianguo based on the results of this battle.

As a master and faction that has been in the forefront of negotiations from the very beginning.

Everything Xie Qian did was for discussion and consideration.

If this siege battle is well fought, you can put forward more conditions when negotiating.

If you play poorly, you have to make some concessions.

"I hope that in this battle, Le Liang can fight better."

Xie Qian thought so and prayed silently in his heart.

The next second.

A low, melodious horn sounded.

Suddenly, the atmosphere became tense.

The flag hunts in the wind.

The Tiger Army marched forward in orderly steps, like a mountain wall, and let out a roar of rage every three steps.

"Kill!"

Facing the musketeers of the dry army armed with muskets on the city wall.

The Tiger Ben Army seemed calm and unhurried, rumbling forward!

When Wang Zhi saw this scene, a fine light burst out in his eyes, and the whole person looked very excited, and praised loudly:

"Good! It is worthy of being the tiger of my big week! If those guards can be as brave as them, why worry about not retreating! ”

As soon as the words fell.

Suddenly, several fires burst out from the city walls.

Immediately afterwards, the rumbling thunder resounded through the heavens and the earth, like thousands of angry waves hitting the mountains, the momentum was huge!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

The deafening sound made Wang Zhi's heart tremble, his legs couldn't help but weaken, and he almost knelt on the ground.