Jin Kingdom, Shangjing, Jinluan Palace.

"Zhao Wenbin, the envoy of Xuanqi State, go to the palace!"

"Zhao Wenbin, the envoy of Xuanqi State, go to the palace!"

Under the gaze of the Minister of Culture and Military Affairs of the Jin Kingdom, Zhao Wenbin reorganized his appearance, walked into the Jinluan Hall with a calm expression in the sound of ceremonial music, and bowed deeply to Sima Deguang, the son of the Jin Kingdom who was sitting on the dragon chair.

"Foreign Minister Zhao Wenbin, see Your Majesty."

Sima Deguang's gaze fell through the layers of crowns and fell on the envoys of the Qi State in the center of the main hall.

After being silent for nearly half a cup of tea, he asked:

"The envoys have come thousands of miles to my Dajin, so what's the matter?"

Zhao Wenbin didn't expect Sima Deguang to ask his intention so directly, and after being slightly stunned, Fang Surong said:

"Your Majesty, our dynasty and the Great Jin Dynasty are brothers' countries. Southern Chu Tianzi Fang ascended the throne, in order to consolidate his own authority, brazenly ordered the Chu State Sailors to go north, our dynasty monarchs and ministers were caught off guard, 30,000 sailors were wiped out, and the general Zhang Zhaoxing was also martyred. The incident happened suddenly, and in desperation, I reorganized my army to resist the invasion of Southern Chu on the one hand, and on the other hand, I ordered Weichen to come to Dajin in the starry night to ask His Majesty for help. ”

"Your Majesty, the heart of the Southern Chu and Northern Expeditions is well known. If Southern Chu occupies a place in Jiangbei, then whether it is our dynasty or the Great Jin, there will be no peace. Please think deeply about the stakes in this. If I can get the help of Your Majesty, I will be grateful, and I am willing to give 200,000 taels of grain, 100,000 taels of silver, and 5,000 taels of gold as a thank-you gift. ”

Hearing the conditions offered by Qi Guo, a whisper suddenly sounded in the Jinluan Palace.

This son of Qi is really generous enough, in order to let them send troops to the Jin Kingdom, he also made a lot of money!

Sima Deguang's eyes moved slightly, he groaned slightly, and said:

"Soldiers, the major affairs of the country, must be dealt with carefully. Zhao Qing came from afar to work hard, go down to rest first, discuss with the Zhongqing family, and then inform Zhao Qing. ”

The remuneration given by the Jin State is not ungenerous, but the more generous it is, the more it shows that the matter is very important.

He had just ascended the throne in the form of a palace change, and the hearts of the people in the DPRK and China had not yet been fully controlled.

For the sake of the stability of the government, he could not but be cautious.

"Your Majesty......"

Zhao Wenbin opened his mouth and wanted to say something more, but was stopped by the official of the Ministry of Rites on the side with a smile.

"Lord Zhao has been traveling for a long time, and it is quite hard to come, so let's go to the guest house with this official to rest for a while."

Seeing that the monarchs and ministers of the Jin Kingdom had made up their minds not to give themselves a chance to talk more at this time, Zhao Wenbin sighed in his heart, pressed down his somewhat impatient mood, and bowed to Sima De three times, and then followed an official of the Ministry of Rites, turned around and walked out of the Jinluan Palace, and headed towards the guest house.

After the next dynasty, Sima Deguang called his henchmen and a group of important ministers to the side hall and began to discuss the matter of Qi asking for help.

Looking around at the ministers, Sima Deguang asked.

"Ladies and gentlemen, did I send troops to help at the invitation of the Son of Heaven of Qi Kingdom?"

"Your Majesty, the minister thinks it is impossible."

As Sima Deguang's confidant, Shaofu Han Yuanyi was the first to speak.

"Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and at this time, the main thing should be to stabilize the government and consolidate the hearts of the people. Rushing to send troops, victory, is gratifying; But defeat, but it will damage His Majesty's good name. For the sake of some wealth and goods of the Qi country, the minister thought that the disadvantages outweighed the benefits. ”

Sima De heard this and nodded slightly.

He also knew that he was not in the right position, and the most important thing now was to stabilize the situation, work hard, and prove to the people of the world that it was the luck of the Great Jin to be on the throne.

But the conditions offered by Qi Guo did make him a little moved.

"Your Majesty, it is spring ploughing at this time, and if you recruit troops throughout the country, I am afraid that it will delay the agricultural season and cause resentment among the people. Old minister, please think twice. ”

The words of Li Yutao, the great farmer, obviously looked at this matter from the perspective of his own work.

At this moment, Tingwei Zhou Tingxuan spoke out against it:

"What you say is a big mistake! The reason why the Qi State asked for help was because its sailors were defeated by the Chu State. The south ship and the north horse, the Chu people may be able to crisscross the east and west with the advantage of boats and boats on the Canglong River, but if they go ashore, how can they resist our Jin army and soldiers by foot riding alone? Just send a general, and defeat the Chu army is just a matter of palms. In Weichen's view, this time Qi asked for help, which is a great thing. First, to show the countries the strength of our dynasty's soldiers and horses, second, to take this opportunity to form a good alliance with the Qi country, and third, to inspire the morale of the army, so that the world knows His Majesty's wisdom and martial arts. ”

He had received the benefits of Zhao Wenbin before, so he was willing to help say a few good words.

However, there are also his own thoughts.

As Sima Deguang's confidant, he knows his majesty's thoughts too well, although he has the face of a Ming Jun, but in his bones he is extremely happy.

The Son of Heaven of Qi sent envoys to ask for help, which can be said to have greatly satisfied Sima Deguang's vanity as the Son of Heaven.

The reason why the ministers were allowed to discuss it was just because he had just ascended the throne, and he still needed to show his humble attitude to the ministers and the world.

But if nothing else, the final decision is to send troops nine times out of ten......

In that case, why didn't he follow His Majesty's wishes and improve his status in the hearts of the other party?

Sure enough, with the support of Zhou Tingxuan, Sima Deguang's face showed a look of interest.

It's just that, as the Son of Heaven, he is still a little reserved.

Sima Deguang looked at the silent Taiwei Lu Linyuan and asked.

"I don't know what the old lady has to say about this?"

After Lu Linyuan returned to Shangjing from the front line, Sima Deguang made him a lieutenant to show his attention to this old minister.

However, in the eyes of most people, His Majesty's doing so is actually a rise and a fall.

Because in the Great Jin Dynasty, the "Three Princes" of Situ, Sikong and Taiwei have actually become virtual titles, and the military and political power has long been firmly in the hands of the Emperor of the Jin State and the Zhongshu Province established.

Lu Linyuan, who was only fifty years old, but most of his hair was already snow-white, was silent for a long time, and Fang said slowly:

"Your Majesty, according to the old minister's opinion, it is naturally beneficial for me to help the Qi State, but I must not send too many troops, so as not to completely tear the skin with the Chu State."

If it weren't for Sima Deguang's successful usurpation and his recall to Shangjing, he would have invaded the territory of Chu State according to the plan at this time, and even attacked Shenjing City.

But this time and that time.

Now Sima Deguang's most important thing is to stabilize the political situation and people's hearts, not to use swords and soldiers, so in Lu Linyuan's view, for the sake of the stability of the Great Jin, now the Great Jin needs to ease the relationship with the Chu State to a certain extent.

Hearing Lu Linyuan say this, Sima Deguang's tone was slightly displeased.

"What do you mean, no troops?"

Lu Linyuan shook his head.

"Definitely. In the eyes of Lao Chen, the Son of Heaven, like His Majesty, has not long ascended the throne, not to mention whether the domestic court situation is stable, just now, he is still fighting with Burma in the southwest. With the national strength of the Chu State, it is impossible to support a long-term war on two fronts. ”

"I only need to let the troops along the river make it look like they are preparing to cross the river and go south, so as to deter the monarchs and ministers of the Chu State. At the same time, His Majesty might as well send an envoy to the state of Chu to say so. With my Dajin intervening, Your Majesty has given the other party enough faces, and the Son of Heaven of Chu will definitely push the boat to dispel the idea of going north and make a temporary truce with Qi when he sees that he can't do anything. ”

"In this way, our dynasty can spend the least cost and get the maximum benefit, which can be described as a benefit without expense."

Sima Deguang couldn't help but laugh when he heard it.

"Okay, with the old lady's words, I don't have to worry about it! However, regarding the envoy to the Chu State, you Aiqing, who is willing to take a trip for me? ”

Dahonglu Wang Qinghuai said:

"Your Majesty, diplomatic matters are the responsibility of Honglu Temple, and the minister recommends Feng Datong, a subordinate official of Honglu Temple."

Sima Deguang nodded and said:

"Wang Qing is an old and serious person, so he plays according to Wang Qing. The envoys of the Qi State are still waiting for our reply to the DPRK, so that Feng Qing can prepare quickly and send an envoy to the Chu State as soon as possible. ”

"Wechen saved."

After saying that he was going to make an envoy, Lu Linyuan suddenly got up, bowed to Sima De and fell to the ground, and said:

"Your Majesty, now that the Northern Xia scouts have repeatedly appeared on the border, the old minister thinks that the Northern Xia will definitely make some moves this autumn. The old minister asked Ying to go to Northern Xinjiang to preside over the affairs of the Northern Xia war. ”

The Great Xia Khanate, which is now known as the Northern Xia in the population of the Three Kingdoms, was a major problem for the Central Plains Dynasty in the former Han Dynasty.

During the more than 100 years of the fall of the former Han Dynasty and the chaos in the Central Plains, the Great Xia Khanate increased its national strength greatly under the governance of Xia Shenzong, and took advantage of the situation to develop its strength and expand its territory.

When the Central Plains formed the situation of the three kingdoms of Chu, Qi and Jin, the territory of the Great Xia Khanate was already on a par with that of the Jin State.

In the year of the catastrophe, the Great Xia Khanate would organize troops to go south into the territory of the Jin State in the name of herding horses, burning and looting everywhere, which is the so-called "grass valley".

Since the previous year, natural disasters have continued in Northern Xia, so in the past three years, nearly forty percent of the Jin State's troops have gathered in Northern Xinjiang to prevent the invasion of Northern Xia.

"The old lady has the heart of serving the country with his fists, and I feel the same way."

Sima Deguang pondered for a long time, and finally nodded in agreement.

"Northern Xia has always been a big trouble for my dynasty, if there is an old lady in the northern Xinjiang, I can feel much more at ease in this upper capital."

For this father's former confidant, Sima Deguang loves and hates in his heart.

loves Lu Linyuan's talent and hates Lu Linyuan's "foolish loyalty" to his father.

Now seeing that Lu Linyuan took the initiative to ask to disappear in front of him, Sima Deguang was also happy to see it.

As for whether Lu Linyuan will collude with Northern Xia, Sima Deguang is not worried at all, because Lu Linyuan's biological parents died at the hands of the Northern Xia cavalry, and it can be said that there is a deep blood feud between the two.

Just as the monarchs and ministers of the Jin State were discussing the dispatch of envoys to the Chu State, Zhao Yu, who was far away in the southern Xinjiang, also received the news of the complete victory of the Chu State Naval Division.

"Okay, Guan Qing and the others lived up to my expectations and annihilated most of the naval army of Qi in World War I, they really did a good job!"

After carefully looking at the detailed battle report brought by the Wind Breaker Falcon, Zhao Yu couldn't help but laugh out loud with joy on his face.

As for the flattering words such as "thanks to His Majesty's clever calculation" mentioned in the letter, Zhao Yu saw it and left it behind.

He has a few pounds and a few taels, and he is still very clear.

However, with the complete victory of Guan Haocang's department, the confrontation between Qi and Chu can also come to an end for the time being, and the pressure on logistics and supplies can also be reduced by half.

After letting the generals read the letter, Zhao Yufang looked at his two strategists.

Wen You, Wen He, and Guan Zhenguo asked in the letter whether they would take advantage of the victory to pursue and strive to take a few cities in Jiangbei as a bridgehead for the Northern Expedition in the future. What do you think of the idea? ”

"Your Majesty, the minister thinks it is impossible!"

Jia Xu and Li Ru said in unison.

Zhao Yu smiled and asked, "Oh, are you two worried about the problem of grain and grass?" ”

The expression on Li Ru's face was extremely serious, and he asked solemnly:

"Grain and grass are one of them, but has Your Majesty ever thought that doing so will most likely lead to the Jin and Qi countries joining forces to put pressure on our court?"

"Then Sima Deguang of the Jin Kingdom has only been on the throne for a few months, shouldn't he hurry up and sort out the government and gather the people's hearts, or should he take care of the affairs between the Qi Kingdom and us?"

Zhao Yu asked with some surprise.

If it weren't for the joint efforts of Qi and Burma to make ghosts, at this time, he, the new monarch of Chu, should be in Shenjing City, on the one hand, promulgating various policies to win people's hearts, and on the other hand, starting to adjust and reform the government and government.

Zhao Yu pushed himself and others, so Sima Deguang was only ten days longer than himself, and he should also focus most of his attention on the country.

Jia Xu shook his head and said:

"Your Majesty is the Ming Monarch, how can Sima Deguang, who killed his father and usurped the throne, be compared with Your Majesty? The minister once carefully understood the life of the other party, and it can be said that he is holy and conceited. If the State of Qi sent an envoy to the State of Jin for help, Sima Deguang would definitely agree. ”

Hearing Jia Xu's affirmation, Zhao Yu's brows also furrowed.

"Will the Jin Kingdom really get involved?"

"According to Sima Deguang's temperament, not ten percent, but eighty or ninety. However, although Sima Deguang is conceited, that Lu Linyuan is a shrewd person, and he will try his best to persuade Sima Deguang not to invest too many troops, so as not to completely offend my Dachu. Therefore, according to the minister's assumption, the Jin State will definitely increase troops on the border between the two countries on the one hand, exert pressure on our Great Chu, and send envoys into the country on the other hand, trying to dispel His Majesty's idea of continuing to send troops north. ”

Jia Xu analyzed it word by word.

When Zhao Yu heard this, anger grew in his heart.

"If this is the case, then the Jin Kingdom will not become a peacemaker. Isn't this face all taken up by the Jin Kingdom? ”

Forced to withdraw from the army under the pressure of the Jin Kingdom, emotionally, this is unacceptable to Zhao Yu.

"Your Majesty, if you don't push the boat down the river, with my great Chu's national strength at this time, it won't work." Jia Xu smiled and said, "If the Jin State really sends envoys to come as Weichen expected, then Your Majesty can tell the other party that it is okay to withdraw the army, but let the Qi State exchange it for peace!" ”

"Okay, you Jia Wenhe!"

Zhao Yu glared at Jia Xu.

"What's your bad idea? The four concubines in my harem are enough now. After the class teacher returns to the court, I need to put most of my energy into the government affairs, and I remember the oath I made to the previous emperors in the Taimiao Temple clearly! ”

Facing Zhao Yu's reprimand, Jia Xu nodded and admitted his mistake, and couldn't help but gesture to Li Ru with his eyes.

Li Ru secretly scolded Jia Wen and treacherous in his heart, and instead of making his words completely clear, he pulled himself into the water, so he had to speak:

"Your Majesty, Wen He's plan, Weichen also thinks it's wonderful!"

"Wenyou, do you also think what Jia Wenhe said is reasonable?"

Zhao Yu looked at Li Ru in surprise.

Jia Xu said this, he still felt that it was nothing, but Li Ru also agreed with Jia Xu's point of view, so the meaning was different.

The two top strategists agreed on the same opinion, indicating that there was something in them that he, the emperor, did not see through.

Li Ru nodded and said:

The meaning of Wenhe is to consider the future Northern Expedition to destroy Qi. As long as Your Majesty and the princess of Qi who are close to each other have an heir, after the Northern Expedition destroys Qi, the Qi people's resistance to my Great Chu will also be weakened a lot, which is conducive to the rule of Great Chu in Qi. Please also ask Your Majesty to sacrifice one or two for the sake of Da Chu. Even if a few ladies in the harem know, they will understand Your Majesty. ”

Zhao Yu blinked.

How did these two think so far?

So, this pro, he still can't get along?

Also, does he need them to understand?

He's the Emperor!

(End of chapter)