The mighty army made its way west, and finally disappeared into the distant horizon.

Zhao Jun said goodbye to the army, and he did not leave himself, but stood in the pavilion like this, silently watching them leave.

Until the 20,000 soldiers were gone, he still did not go away.

Looking at their distant backs, I don't know why, Zhao Jun actually felt a little uncomfortable in his heart.

These are living people.

It is not the number of soldiers recorded in the history books, nor is it the NPC formed by the data in the game.

It is a flesh and blood body with a name and a surname, parents, wives and children.

Some of them may remain in the Northwest forever, fighting for their country and eventually burying their bones.

They are defending their country, fighting the enemy with their lives.

They should be respected.

Instead of being insulted when they met, a thief was matched with an army.

At four o'clock in the morning, about eight o'clock in the morning, the carriage of the people drove back to the palace.

Everyone went to the Chongde Palace, and Zhao Zhen didn't even sit in the warm study, but stood outside the Chongde Hall and waited, looking at the direction of the Yingyang Gate in the west from time to time.

Seeing that Zhao Jun and the others had finally returned, he hurriedly greeted them and asked, "Why did you only come back now?" Are they gone? ”

"Gone."

Zhao Jun replied: "When we left, we stood there and watched them leave. ”

"Watching them go?"

Zhao Zhen was confused and said, "What is there to give here?" ”

Zhao Jun shook his head and said: "I just feel that the team is a little tragic, in fact, many soldiers don't know that they are going to fight, and they think that it is just an ordinary change of guard, and some people will stay in the northwest forever and never come back." Many parents lose their sons, wives lose their husbands, and children lose their fathers. ”

Zhao Zhen was silent for a while.

He was anxiously waiting for everyone to come back, not actually wanting to know the news of Fan Zhongyan's departure, but hesitating about whether the northwest war would go smoothly.

The emperors of the Great Song Dynasty are always like this, even if they have made up their minds, they still look ahead and hesitate.

After a moment of silence, Lu Yijian broke the silence and said, "It's cold outside, let's go in first." ”

He feigned coughing twice.

"Let's go inside."

Zhao Zhen said.

Everyone walked into the house, and the room was as warm as spring.

Everyone sat down.

The atmosphere in the room was very oppressive.

Zhao Jun made a straight face, which made Zhao Zhen and others, a little at a loss.

They looked at each other, and neither of them spoke.

In fact, Zhao Jun has been in a more depressed and solemn mood since the end of the year.

His character is actually a young man who likes to joke and is quite out-of-the-box, otherwise he wouldn't have said so many lively jokes about the Song Dynasty when he was blind.

But after his eyes regained his sight, he could threaten Zhao Zhen and Lu Yijian verbally, or he could lose his temper at every turn and sneer at them.

But after seeing the Sanssouci Cave and the Ghost Fan Tower, and personally sending away a group of soldiers who were about to rush to the battlefield to die, he gradually calmed down.

Many times, people change when they go through a series of things.

At least Zhao Jun has lost his family and friends who are concerned about him in another world, and now he has another responsibility on his shoulders.

He could feel that his every move was affecting the people of Bianliang and the soldiers of the Northwest. Their lives, their lives, and their whole lives.

In the future, and even the livelihood of the entire Great Song Dynasty, the safety of the society may be on his shoulders, so that sometimes, this burden makes Zhao Jun breathless.

So he has really changed a lot now, and he is no longer as cheerful as before, but he doesn't smile, which makes people can't help but feel a kind of awe.

Zhao Zhen was a little in awe of him now.

Seeing that Zhao Jun didn't speak, Zhao Zhen hesitated for a moment before cautiously probing: "Eldest grandson, what's wrong with you?" ”

"It's just not in a good mood."

Zhao Jun said a word, and then felt that his mental state was very poor, leaned on the Taishi chair, rubbed his forehead and said, "Maybe the pressure is too much." ”

He used to say terms such as financial pressure, grain and grass pressure, and pressure to go to sea before his eyes were good, and he also explained two sentences, so everyone also understood the meaning of the word pressure.

Knowing that he had a psychological problem, Yan Shu said: "Maybe I've been too tired these days, why don't you rest for a while before talking about state affairs?" ”

"It's fine."

Zhao Jun shook his head and said, "It's just that I'm not in a good mood." ”

"Can you tell me about it?"

Zhao Zhen said softly in a mellow voice: "None of the people present are outsiders, and they may be able to solve problems for the eldest grandson." ”

"Actually, there's nothing to say, one is homesick, and the other is the mess of the Great Song Dynasty."

Zhao Jun said with a wry smile: "Governing the country is really a tiring thing, especially such a mess from top to bottom. Sometimes I think about it, it's really better to break and rebuild. Or just mess it up and leave it all my business. ”

And the faces of the people became embarrassed.

I'm so rotten like this, it's really hard for you.

However, in the face of Zhao Jun's hurtful words, Zhao Zhen saw a lot.

After all, he was originally a person who was good at swallowing his anger, and he was scolded every day before, but he was still pointed at his nose and scolded, and his psychological tolerance was much stronger.

So he was not unhappy, but concerned about Zhao Jun's mental state, and said with relief: "If the eldest grandson feels tired, you might as well say what is in your heart, and you can feel better." ”

"Oh?"

Zhao Jun was interested and said, "Really? ”

"Really."

Zhao Zhen gritted his teeth and said, "Even if the scolded body is incomplete, it doesn't matter to me." ”

Next to him, Lu Yijian and the others looked at Zhao Zhen resentfully.

The emperor said so, Zhao Jun must be embarrassed to scold the emperor, then he must catch them and scold them.

Sure enough, Zhao Jun suddenly became excited, and his eyes shuttled over everyone.

Truly.

Zhao Zhen said so, Zhao Jun is really hard to speak.

In order to alleviate the depression in Zhao Jun's heart, he actually took the initiative to ask to be scolded, and there is no such benevolent emperor in this world.

So Zhao Jun really can't continue to chase Zhao Zhenyi.

After all, people want power for power, and they want to be more obedient and obedient, and they are reluctant to say even a heavy word to their eldest grandson.

He really, I cried to death.

Zhao Jun looked at Lu Yijian, Lao Deng was very bad, looking for him to scold?

Seeing that Lu Yijian already felt bad, he immediately spoke: "Han Long is tired, he is all working hard for the Great Song Dynasty, there is a coral in the South China Sea in my house, and I am willing to give it to Han Long to show his heart." ”

Well?

Zhao Jun's eyes widened, and this kind of operation?

He turned his head to look at Zhao Zhen and said, "Brother, is this reasonable and legal?" ”

Zhao Zhen said with a smile: "Lu Xiang's family has a lot of money, one is passed down from the ancestors, and the other is the income from the family's property and business, which is not illegal. It makes sense to give gifts to colleagues. ”

Since the law of the Song Dynasty only stipulated that officials themselves were not allowed to do business, the Lu family had so much money, at least in the Song Dynasty, it was indeed in accordance with the regulations, and it was not considered a crime.

Moreover, the laws of the Song Dynasty did not prohibit gifts between colleagues, and even the emperor himself often gave gifts to ministers to win people's hearts.

So it's really not a violation.

Hearing Zhao Zhen's approval, Zhao Jun coughed and said: "Well, these are people's fat and people's ointment, then the prefect will keep it temporarily, and when the time comes, it will be sent to auction and donated to the Huainan disaster area, which can be regarded as Lu Xiang's dedication to the people in the disaster area." ”

Lu Yijian said with a smile: "That's nature. ”

He didn't want Zhao Jun to rise to power so quickly, so as not to bring down the scholar class by him.

But now that he has transcended the scholar class, entered the Political Yuan, held a high position, and has reached another class, he actually doesn't want to conflict with Zhao Jun anymore.

Now this is also an opportunity to reconcile, and it is a reasonable and legal opportunity, which is a good thing for both parties.

After Zhao Jun finished speaking, he looked at the rest of the people with unkind eyes.

There is no poor among them.

Yan Shu's house is full of real estate shops in Bianliang, and he was impeached by Cai Xiang.

Wang Zeng, Song Shou, Wang Sui, Sheng Du and others are also from big families, with a lot of money, and they are all very rich.

Cai Qi is a little poorer, he was born in an ordinary family, he was an orphan when he was a child, and he was brought up by his grandfather, but he has been the prime minister for so many years and has a lot of family resources.

So in the face of Zhao Jun's death gaze, they all looked pale and spoke: "Hanlong has worked hard these days, he really should recuperate and flirt, I have a painting of Han Gan at home, give it to Hanlong to appreciate." ”

"Yes, I have a lot of dragon and phoenix group tea at home, about half a catty, and I also gave it to Hanlong, and when the time comes, I will send someone to the house, after drinking this tea, it will be able to make Hanlong full of spirit and health."

"When drinking tea, it's good to read books and articles. I have a few authentic handwritings written by Yan Zhenqing there, you can take a look. ”

"I have a jade Buddha here, it used to be."

Everyone offered things one after another, including calligraphy and paintings, coral, jade Buddha, antiques, and tea, although the tea should be the cheapest in it, but the king sent it with his face like ashes.

The best tea in the Song Dynasty of Longfeng Tuancha, Ouyang Xiu said in "Returning to the Field", "The quality of tea is more expensive than that of Longfeng and Feng, and it is called Tuancha", known as one or two teas and one or two gold, and its status is equivalent to the big red robe of Wuyi Mountain in later generations, and half a catty will get eight taels of gold, which shows its preciousness.

Wang Sui also saved up for a long time before he had half a catty, and he was reluctant to drink it on weekdays. Because they were all rewarded by the emperor, they were treasured, and if they were sent out this time, it would be regarded as a blood loss.

Zhao Jun was so happy that he couldn't close his mouth and said: "Since it is the intention of the princes, then I might as well be respectful." ”

In fact, he really doesn't love money, because he killed so many people, copied more than 10 million yuan from his house, and even the money of the entire treasury can be transferred at will, and he is not short of money at all.

But since the old Dengs are willing to give, then why don't they have an identity?

These guys are all rich.

Let them hand it over and send it to the treasury for the country and the people, it is definitely not happy, it is better to give it to Zhao Jun and let Zhao Jun exchange it for money, anyway, this time he has to inspect the world, and it is not a bad thing to bring more money.

After the gift-giving, Zhao Jun said refreshedly: "The mood is much better, then don't scold, tell a big song joke to adjust the atmosphere." ”

As he spoke, he turned his head to the crowd and said, "Q: In the Song Dynasty, what was the difference between an optimist and a pessimist?" Answer: During the Northern Song Dynasty, optimists learned Khitan dialect; Pessimists learn Vietnamese. During the Southern Song Dynasty, optimists learned Mongolian, and pessimists learned sea swimming. ”

"Huh."

Everyone laughed awkwardly, and they shouldn't stubble.

Or Zhao Zhen was curious: "I understand this Khitan dialect, what does it mean to learn Vietnamese?" ”

"Because the Great Song Dynasty fought the Song-Yue-Xining War with Vietnam from 1075 to 1076 AD, although it was won, it was also a tragic victory, with 250,000 casualties among the Song Dynasty soldiers and civilians, and 20,000 casualties among the Vietnamese army."

Zhao Jun spread his hands and said: "The Vietnamese raided Yongzhou and slaughtered the people. Even if the Song army fought back and won the victory afterwards, it would be a great shame for the Great Song Dynasty. ”

"Bang!"

Zhao Zhen said angrily: "Little Vietnam, so rampant? ”

"The armament of the Great Song Dynasty is relaxed, and the surrounding countries dare to bully one or two, what can I do?"

Zhao Jun shook his head and said: "You have to be hard to strike iron, if you can't do it, then you can only be bullied, the Song Dynasty was criticized in later generations, and anyone can step on it, which is also one of the reasons." ”

"Ugh."

Zhao Zhen only felt powerless, and suddenly he also experienced Zhao Jun's feeling, and sighed: "Is it just allowed to be like this?" ”

"It can't go on like this."

Zhao Jun looked around and said: "So we must find a way to change all this, so that the Great Song Dynasty cannot become a bag of humiliation, nor can it become a symbol of weakness and incompetence in the future generations." ”

Wang Zeng asked, "Now we have indeed changed, and I believe that we can change for the better in the future." ”

"It's not enough."

Zhao Jun said in a deep voice: "Whether it is the political system, military capabilities, economic development, education level, scientific and technological research and development, agricultural output or domestic people's livelihood, it is far from enough. ”

Lu Yijian wondered: "Now that the Constitutional Yuan has been established, the upper and lower administrations are much faster, isn't it good enough?" ”

"It's a lot better now."

Zhao Jun nodded and said, "The political system is like a bottle. Regardless of whether it is advanced or backward, as long as it suits the national conditions. It can bring stability, and it can make the country develop. The bottle can fix the water, it can shape, it can increase. Without this bottle, the country is just water, flowing everywhere and scattered in a plate of sand. But now, we have only set up the bottle of the Constitutional Yuan, and we have not yet filled it with water. ”

"How can I fill it with water?"

Everyone was accustomed to such an abstract metaphor as Zhao Jun, and couldn't help but ask.

"Spread that efficiency to the whole country."

Zhao Jun said: "At present, it is only Bianliang that has been improved, and there is still chaos all over the country, and the central government should be ignored, which is obviously not a good thing." ”

"How can we spread the word to the whole country?"

Lu Yijian asked.

Naturally, it is the test method.

Zhao Jun replied in his heart.

But he didn't say it.

Because it's still a carnival of redundant officials.

When the test law comes out and they are killed, it will definitely be the opposition of the officialdom.

Therefore, it must wait until Fan Zhongyan wins the war before it can be implemented.

Zhao Jun said: "It's not the time yet, let's take a look at the situation first." However, I hope that everyone can unify their positions on national interests, and support them more with less opposition. ”

"The position of the national interest?"

Zhao Zhen asked, "What does this mean?" ”

"The meaning is very simple, that is, we people, at least ensure that everything we do must be for the good of the whole country of the Great Song Dynasty!"

Zhao Jun said: "The government is composed of a large number of people from different factions, different interest groups, different thinking, and different working styles around a leader, and different people will do different things, and everyone has their own reasons, and the leader does not know which way of governing the country is correct, so it is difficult to twist the direction into a rope." ”

"Hmm"

Zhao Zhen felt that the leader Zhao Jun said should be himself.

"But now I have told everyone the right way to govern the country, and if everyone still blocks it, it means that they have their own interests, not for the country."

Zhao Jun looked around, looked at everyone and said, "Then such a government is a government with its own ghosts, which is obviously not a good thing for the country." Therefore, I hope that when it comes to certain reforms in the future, even if we have to sacrifice our own interests and put the country first, everyone will still firmly support it, which is what a united government should do, and such a government can achieve the goals it has set! ”

This sentence has its own deep meaning.

Fan Zhongyan went to the northwest, and he himself was about to go to various places to inspect, and it was inevitable that he would do something that harmed their interests.

Especially when Fan Zhongyan and himself come back in the future, they will promote the reform of official governance.

The implementation of the Qingli New Deal and the Examination Law will inevitably cause a backlash from the entire bureaucratic class at that time.

Therefore, Zhao Jun is also reminding them.

Identify yourself.

When you enter the Constitutional Yuan, you are no longer a bureaucrat.

Rather, it represents the country as a whole.

The interests of the country are paramount, and sometimes, we should make trade-offs, instead of opposing the occurrence of the Qingli New Deal as in history!

That's a piece of advice.

(End of chapter)