Prime Minister

Chapter 1358: The Power of the Nation

Chapter 1358: The Power of the Nation

At the end of February in the first year of Yuanyou, Zhang Yu, dressed in black armor, walked through the unmelted snow on Jingyuan Road and arrived at Pingxia City surrounded by his personal soldiers.

When the soldiers on the city wall saw the general’s flag with the word “Zhang” on it, they immediately beat the drums three times, and the city gates opened.

Xiongzhou Defense Commissioner, Jingyuan Road Commander, Huaide Army Commander Guo Cheng, Dongshanggemen Commissioner, Luozhou Defense Commissioner, Jingyuan Road Deputy Commissioner Zhe Keshi led the generals to greet them, clasped their fists and said loudly: "We are respectfully welcoming the Prime Minister!"

Zhang Yu dismounted and helped up the generals. His eyes swept across the arrow marks on the city wall, which were left from the battle of Pingxia City that year.

After the Battle of Pingxia City, Guo Cheng and Zhe Keshi were promoted all the way.

In particular, Guo Cheng was already the commander of an entire route, and Zhe Keshi was the deputy governor, almost becoming the highest military commander of Jingyuan Road.

This was because Zhang Yu, the acting Privy Councilor of the Executive Privy Council, also served as the Military Governor of Jingyuan Road. Therefore, Zhe Keshi, as the Deputy Military Governor of Jingyuan Road, actually took charge of the military affairs of Jingyuan Road.

Guo Cheng and Zhe Keshi were talented people that Zhang Qie had a keen eye for when he was the governor of Xihe Road. Although they were later transferred back to Bianliang, he and Shen Kuo recommended them.

After Shen Kuo arrived in Jingyuan Road, he paid attention to promoting Guo Cheng and Zhe Keshi, but Shen Kuo did not tell them that it was because of Zhang Qi's recommendation.

Now that Zhang Qie saw that both of them had become veteran generals with outstanding military exploits, he felt a sense of relief from the bottom of his heart.

There is also Jingyuan Road.

When he left Xihe Road, the core area of ​​Jingyuan Road was still in Jingzhou Yuanzhou, but now it has moved to the Zhenrong Army and Huaide Army area. Even the Jingyuan Road Privy Council has moved to Longgan City between Zhenrong Army and Deshun Army.

The border town that originally bordered the Dangxiang was replaced by Beixiaoguan by the Zhenrong Army and Huaide Army, which the Dangxiang called Yingjilizhai.

That's what the locals called it. In the eighth year of Yuanfeng, in order to flatter the late emperor, Cai Que changed the name of Beixiaoguan, which is near Yingjili Village as called by the Dangxiang people, to Yinglijun.

Now Yinglijun has become a border area of ​​Jingyuan Road.

When Zhang Qie thought of this, he had always had a sense of crisis when he was unemployed in Bian Jing, fearing that if he was a little slow, the credit for destroying the country would fall into the hands of others.

This will be a lifelong regret for him.

He was not valued by the previous emperor and was trapped in the capital for ten years. In private, he often compared himself to Yang Hu.

At that time, Yang Hude was well-known, but he was often slandered in the court.

Like Yang Hu, Zhang Yu believed that the time and conditions were ripe for the attack on the Dangxiang. The training of the troops in Shaanxi and the decade-long shallow attacks and construction had completely eliminated the Song Dynasty's weakest logistical disadvantage.

At the same time, the elite troops of the Dangxiang suffered heavy losses in Pingxia City.

If it weren't for the support of the Liao Kingdom, the Song Army could have destroyed the Dangxiang Kingdom in the Battle of Yongle City.

“It is the right time to make achievements and open up a century-long situation.”

So in the Wuying Palace, Zhang Yu, under the introduction of Zhang Yue, seized the opportunity to propose the idea of ​​destroying the Dangxiang to the young emperor.

It is the right time to make achievements and establish careers, but we should not hesitate to make decisions or take actions that would cause troubles in the future.

Such words made the young leader very excited.

Afterwards, he rushed to Jingyuan Road without stopping, and all the way his mind was focused on how to achieve great success.

Now, facing the generals, Zhang Qie was not in a hurry to express such an idea.

After sitting in the tent and selecting the generals, Zhang Qie looked at the generals' resumes and asked Zhe Keshi.

"General Zhe. Have the Xia people invaded this winter?"

Zhe Keshi pointed to the northwest and said: "Lingzhou sent light cavalry to rob food seven times, but they were blocked by the forts and beacons every time. This is because the court implemented the strategy of 'shallow attack and advanced construction' back then. Only by taking every step carefully can we have the current situation."

Zhang Qie deeply agreed with this.

Many people in the government and the opposition criticized the shallow attack and construction, saying it cost too much money and took too long.

But Zhang Yue said, "fast is slow, slow is fast." Now it seems to be the truth.

Zhang Yu unfolded the sheepskin map and pointed his finger at the Hengshan line: "Duke Wei has ordered Xu Xi from Fuyan Road to rush to Mizhi for assistance. Our army should do its best to support him."

Zhe Keshi immediately said: "Prime Minister, the western bandits' attacks this winter have all been fruitless. Our army's forts have formed a horizontal and vertical alliance. If we advance further, we can directly attack Lingzhou!"

Guo Cheng said with emotion: "We are deeply indebted to the country, and it is time to repay the country. Not to mention Lingzhou, we will not hesitate to serve Xingzhou! Even if we die on the battlefield, we will not hesitate!"

Zhang Qie's eyes were like torches, and he said in a deep voice: "You are all loyal and brave. But the court needs living heroes, not dead martyrs. I want you all to be made marquises!"

He looked around at the generals, "Everyone, the Minister has a comprehensive plan for the destruction of Xia!"

As soon as the words fell, all the generals fell into silence.

"Where's Peng Sun?"

There was silence in the tent, and the generals looked at each other in bewilderment. How dare Peng Sun not be there when the new Privy Councilor appointed his generals?

Guo Cheng stepped forward, clasped his fists and said, "Peng Sun was demoted to deputy commander of Yinglijun Mingqi Village because of his drunken behavior."

Zhang Yu frowned, and a trace of anger flashed in his eyes. Peng Sun, the brave general who had saved Zhang Zhi's life and killed Liang Yimai on the battlefield, has now fallen to the position of deputy commander?

Guo Cheng whispered, "Some people in the court have been talking about Peng Sun's background, saying that he was originally a general recruited by the pacification army and was not suitable for a high position. Later, Li Xian was demoted by the Empress Dowager, and the imperial censors in the court said that Peng Sun had washed Li Xian's feet with water and praised his feet... for being fragrant!"

“So I was demoted.”

Zhang Yu sneered. The people in the capital had always made fun of Peng Sun. He would do anything to get promoted, so they used the words of "flattering" to ridicule Peng Sun in the old party. How could these people understand the difficulties of being born in a poor family?

Zhang Qie didn’t understand it before, but after seeing his cousin Zhang Yue, he knew it all.

But it was just talk before, and then it became a thing as Li Xian lost power.

Peng Sun was also implicated and eventually demoted to deputy commander.

Zhang Yu said: "The court is in need of talents, how can we allow such a pearl to be covered in dust?"

"From now on, Peng Sun will be reinstated as the deputy governor of Jingyuan Road!"

The generals had different expressions, but no one dared to speak. To be honest, except for being appreciated by Li Xian and Zhang's family, Peng Sun had always been unpopular in the army and the court, because he was a general recruited by the emperor.

Even though he had made great contributions, the generals still looked down on him because of his background.

At present, reinstating him as deputy chief administrator of Jingyuan Road can only be said to be the Zhang family's intention.

Zhang Qie's eyes were like torches, and he continued, "Order him to lead the army out of Beixiao Pass and set up a camp to defend it!"

Zhe Keshi hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke: "Emperor General, the court has cut the money and food for the border troops on the grounds of insufficient funds. Now the grain reserves in Shaanxi Province are only 30% of those in the Yuanfeng period, and only Xihe Road can still maintain 50%..."

Zhang Yu raised his hand to interrupt: "Don't worry, everyone. Minister Zhang has decided to restart the war against Xia!"

"From today on, money and grain will be continuously sent from Guanzhong!"

When these words were spoken, all the generals were shocked.

"Military supplies and wages, as much as you want, we have it!"

"As long as you ask, I'll take as much as you want!"

Zhang Qie spoke each word with great emphasis, resounding like thunder in everyone's heart, "But let me be frank with you, we can only win, not lose! If we lose, military law will be ruthless!"

That night, torches on the top of Pingxia City were like dragons, and soldiers, horses and supplies were heading north all the way.

Zhang Yu stood alone in the arrow tower, looking far to the north, which was the direction of Lingzhou.

……

In the early morning when the snow had just stopped blowing, Peng Sun was awakened by his personal attendant. He rubbed his temples, which were swollen and painful due to a hangover, and heard hurried footsteps outside the tent.

Peng Sun pulled at the wolfskin quilt. It was amazing that such a heavy snow could fall in Yinglijun at the end of February.

It really is a bitter and cold place.

"Peng Zhizhai, Zhang Jinglüe has sent an envoy to look for you." Zhizhai's voice was filled with nervousness and respect.

Peng Sun's heart trembled, and he turned his head away deliberately and said, "Don't alarm me."

Peng Sun was not on good terms with the chief commander, and his official rank had been reduced to that of a minor envoy, serving as the deputy commander of a small camp with only a few hundred soldiers.

He was also bullied by Zheng Zhizhai, who was a civil servant.

Zheng Zhizhai lifted the tent and walked in, deliberately putting on a stern face and pretending to scold: "Peng Zhizhai, you are too outrageous to be like this."

"You were demoted because of your drinking and messing up things before, and today you are drinking to drown your sorrows. How can the governor think of you as such?"

Peng Sun turned his head away deliberately when he heard this and said, "I am a general recruited by the army anyway. If it doesn't work, I will be demoted again."

"In this court, if you don't have a backer, you can't take a single step forward."

Zhizhai laughed angrily, "You are throwing tantrums like this again."

At this moment, the envoy arrived.

The envoy Zhang Xi was the eldest son of Zhang Yu and a Jinshi in the ninth year of Xining.

The Zhang family is well-off. Even though their grandfather and father are both high-ranking officials, all of their children are still able to study and make progress.

Zhang Qie often reminded himself to study hard, telling himself that the purpose of studying is not for promotion or wealth, but to be loyal to the country and to be filial to his parents.

Zhang Yu's experience in the frontier with his father was not only to fulfill his filial piety, but also to serve his country.

When Zhang Xi arrived in front of the tent, he smelled alcohol and frowned. A clerk beside him had received instructions from the chief and said, "Deputy Chief Peng drinks every day and often gets drunk..."

"Go on."

The other party smiled and said, "Let the envoy know that the deputy governor has repeatedly expressed his resentment towards the court, and we in the camp dare not stop him."

After hearing the clerk's story, Zhang Yu was not so easily fooled, and he immediately rebuked him: "If the court had not treated him so badly, why would such a good general drink so much every day?"

The clerk smiled and said, "Yes, yes."

Zhang Xi deliberately said: "Qin Qiong also had a time to sell his horse, don't look down on him."

The clerk's expression froze.

Zhang Xi lifted the tent and went inside to ask, "Where is Peng Zhizhai?"

I saw a drunk lying on the bed.

Zhang Yu said: "The Privy Councilor has ordered that you be reinstated as the deputy governor of Zhaijingyuan Road. You are to lead 3,000 elite soldiers out of Beixiaoguan today and build a stronghold in Shimenchuan. You are only allowed to defend, not attack!"

Peng Sun raised his head suddenly, a flash of surprise in his eyes, and then turned into ecstasy. He stood up and clasped his fists and said, "General Peng Sun, I obey your orders!"

Zheng Zhizhai's face changed slightly. Although he expected Peng Sun to be re-employed, he did not expect to be reinstated.

He moved his lips, but did not dare to say anything. After all, the civil officials and military generals were from different factions. Although he had offended Peng Sun, he was not too afraid.

Zhang Yu was such a meticulous person that he took a look at the governor. The governor was usually a military official, but in order to disgust Peng Sun, the court deliberately let him work for a civil official.

The civil officials did not know how to train soldiers and guard the camp, so they made things difficult for Peng Sun over matters of money, food and personnel. These were all ways that scholars used to deal with people.

Zhang Xi deliberately said: "Zhang Shumi once said: 'The court is in need of talents, how can we let the pearl be covered in dust?' I hope General Peng will not let me down!"

Peng Sun took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Please rest assured, Privy Councilor, I will definitely live up to your trust!"

Zhang Xi smiled and said, "Before Zhang Shumi came to Jingyuan Road, the Minister of the Interior asked about General Peng. General Peng has a bright future!"

Zheng Zhizhai's expression changed drastically when he heard this. He only knew that Zhang Yue and Peng Sun were from the same hometown, but he didn't expect Zhang Yue to ask about Peng Sun.

Zheng Zhizhai said hurriedly, "I heard that you are coming, so I specially prepared some wine and food! Please come and show me your kindness! I also know a little bit about poetry, so I would like to ask you for your advice."

Zhang Xi said, "No need, the army is no different from other places."

"The wine and food should be distributed to the soldiers."

After saying this, Zhang Xi turned and left.

Zheng Zhizhai sent Zhang Xi away with a smile. Peng Sun's eyes were like knives. He swept across Zheng Zhizhai's pale face and sneered, "What do you think? Do you think I, the 'recruited general', amnesty is worthy of your attention?"

Zheng Zhizhai cursed inwardly, but asked awkwardly, "I wonder how Chief Peng and the Minister knew each other?"

Peng Sun said with a smile: "If you want to know, bring me a horse whip!"

Zhengzhizhai was holding back his anger but didn't dare to show it.

……

A cold wind swept through Dingzhou City at the foot of the Helan Mountains.

As the royal palace of the secondary capital, it is certainly not as good as the royal palace of Xingzhou Prefecture. It is just a house that looks regular.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the face of the Dangxiang princess, the Khitan princess Yelu Nan.

Yelu Nan was holding the baby in his arms, obviously worried.

Soon the sound of horses neighing was heard, and the palace gate was locked.

Hundreds of riders arrived at the palace. Yelu Nan ordered the maid to take the baby away and he went out to meet them.

But under the light of the torch, Li Bingchang's face was gloomy and uncertain.

Yelu Nan was shocked - at this moment the king should have led the army in person to the front line of Fuyan Road.

Yelu Nan hurriedly went up to greet him, bowed and said, "Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, isn't your commander-in-chief at Fuyan Road? Why did you leave the army and return to the royal city?"

The Dangxiang people have always had the tradition of the king leading the army in person. The commander-in-chief abandoned the army and returned to the royal city without authorization. This was an extremely dangerous behavior.

Yelu Nan immediately fulfilled his duty and advised Li Bingchang.

Li Bingchang looked at Yelu Nan wearily and said, "A secret report sent by a fast horse from Song territory..."

Yelu Nan looked at Li Bingchang's hand holding the whip, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"Zhang Yue has returned to the throne!"

"Duke Wei is back in charge of the capital of the Song Dynasty." Yelu Nan murmured in a low voice.

The tragic scene of the Battle of Pingxia City in the fifth year of Yuanfeng seemed to reappear in front of Li Bingchang's eyes.

Three hundred thousand elite Tangut troops were almost wiped out in this battle.

Now four years have passed, and despite his best efforts, he has not been able to recover.

The elite soldiers and generals who did not leave Pingxia City were gathered from the Dangxiang during the decades when Li Yuanhao dominated the world. They were replenished with soldiers and horses, but strong bows and crossbows, iron armor and sharp swords were not easy to obtain.

All this happened when Zhang Yue was prime minister. The loss of Liangzhou and Lanzhou was also caused by Zhang Yue when he was prime minister.

Fortunately, the emperor of the Song Dynasty was eager for quick success and dismissed Zhang Yue from his position as prime minister. After the Battle of Yongle City, the Dangxiang people were able to breathe a sigh of relief. However, only two years later, Zhang Yue was reinstated as prime minister again.

Now that this man is in power again, how could he miss the opportunity to destroy the Dangxiang?

The state of affairs is precarious!

"Your Majesty?" His Highness Yelu Nan raised his head cautiously, "I don't believe that the Song Dynasty can really destroy our country if it changes its prime minister."

"Zhang Yue was the prime minister who was best at 'using war to support government'!" Li Bingchang shook his head. "During the Da'an years, he built cities and cultivated land in Xihe Road, pressing forward step by step; during the Yuanfeng years, he also practiced 'shallow attack and construction'... But our elite soldiers and generals were helpless against this."

"I hate Zhang Yue's confidant Cai Jing the most. When he met our envoys, he openly said that our dynasty would post the method of advancing troops on the wall of Xingqing City, and no one in your Dangxiang State could decipher it."

Yelu Nan was furious and said, "The Southern Dynasty is too arrogant. They are insulting our Great Baigao Kingdom like this! Do you really think there is no one in the country?"

"This is not an insult..." Li Bingchang said helplessly: "Even the veteran generals of our dynasty, or even the outstanding Han Chinese literati, cannot crack it."

"They said...the only way!"

Yelu Nan opened his eyes wide and asked, "What is the only way?"

"It is to spread rumors and alienate the relationship between the Song Dynasty and the generals on the front line."

Yelu Nanfeng's eyes widened as he asked, "How could the Song ruler be so foolish as to destroy his own Great Wall?"

Li Bingchang smiled bitterly. The Song Dynasty had such mediocre tactics: there was a fort every 20 miles, a village every 50 miles, and a city every 100 miles.

"Since the Yuanfeng period, Zhang Yue has been using this tactic since he became prime minister. He occupied places with abundant water and grass, suitable for farming. The Song army occupied the places with abundant water and grass, built cities and dug trenches, forcing our army to attack. This has been the case for ten years."

Sometimes, even when the Song army built their fortress right under the Dangxiang city wall, the Song army would not attack, but would instead dig trenches and build fortresses in circles, waiting for you to send troops to attack.

After Zhang Yue became prime minister in the Yuanfeng period, the Song army advanced step by step along the Jingyuan Road, Huluchuan Avenue and Tiandu Mountain.

The tactics remained unchanged for ten years. The only change was that the Song Dynasty became more and more proficient in handling such civil engineering techniques.

After several major battles, the Song army became more and more adept at defense.

Ambush was a tactic that was often used by famous Dangxiang generals. This was how they fought in the Battle of Haoshuichuan. But now the Song army never advanced rashly, marching only 30 to 40 miles a day, and setting up camp just after noon.

No matter how you challenge, he just won't come out.

The famous generals of the Dangxiang army sighed in despair. When the Song army gradually approached them, the Dangxiang soldiers could no longer bear it and led their troops to attack, but they were defeated miserably.

When you think the Song army is trapped, he can occasionally send out cavalry to attack you and hit you a few times.

Li Bingchang said to Yelu Nan: "Today I will return to Dingzhou overnight to tell you that you should write a letter to the Liao Dynasty as soon as possible to inform your father that the Southern Dynasty will follow the example of Emperor Taizong of Tang in destroying the Turks!"

"Destroy my Great Baigao Kingdom!"

Yelu Nan was surprised.

Yelu Nan was a Khitan princess, but she was a daughter of the royal family.

The Liao emperor, Yelu Hongji, looked down on the Dangxiang, and even more so on Li Bingchang, and would not marry his own daughter to the Dangxiang.

But after Yelu Nan arrived in Dangxiang, she claimed to be the daughter of Yelu Hongji.

Yelu Nan said without hesitation: "Since I have married your majesty, I will live and die with the Great Baigao Kingdom."

Li Bingchang looked at Yelu Nan so happy and said, "I would like to make Cha Ge the crown prince immediately."

Li Bingchang originally wanted to use this as a bargaining chip, but since Yelu Nan agreed to it, there was no need for him to hide it.

Now only the Liao Kingdom can save the Dangxiang. This is the only way out.

Yelu Nan's eyes softened when she heard this, and she thought of the infant Chago. Although Chago was less than one year old, Li Bingchang's eagerness to make him the crown prince not only showed his loyalty to the Liao Kingdom, but also his deep affection for the mother and son.

"The enthronement ceremony will be held next year, and Cha Ge will be made the crown prince." Li Bingchang said firmly.

Yelu Nan said: "Your Majesty, our father will definitely do us justice."

Li Bingchang nodded. This queen was absolutely competent. When the capital was moved to Dingzhou, all the civil and military officials in the court were against it.

It was believed that Dingzhou was as poor and remote as a sheepfold and could not be compared with Xingqing Prefecture, which had been the capital for many years. However, Yelu Nan set an example by moving his palace to Dingzhou and settled there.

She handled affairs like an ordinary palace maid every day, doing everything herself and supporting Li Bingchang with practical actions.

Over the years, Li Bingchang has secretly forgotten the fact that Liao ruler Yelu Hongji had ordered the death of his original wife, Queen Liang, and truly accepted the generous and magnanimous Khitan princess in front of him.

Li Bingchang calmed down and said, "Although my country is weak, fortunately I have a virtuous queen and a group of loyal and righteous people!"

"I will never be the ruler of a fallen nation."

As soon as he finished speaking, a man came in and reported: "Your Majesty, it's bad. Weizhou garrison commander Yeli Xinyi has rebelled and joined the Song Dynasty!"

Li Bingchang was shocked when he heard this. Yeli Xinyi was the grandson of Yeli Renrong, the Tangut national teacher, and he actually rebelled against the Song Dynasty.

Upon hearing this, Li Bingchang felt a pain in his chest and immediately coughed up blood.

……

Weizhou was not an important town. When the Song army launched two expeditions against Western Xia, it had captured Weizhou. Later, Han Zhen also led his army to capture Weizhou, but he was unable to retreat and was pursued by the Dangxiang troops and finally defeated.

However, although Weizhou was a small city with weak soldiers, it was the first time that it surrendered before a fight.

Zhang Qie asked Zhe Keshi to personally lead 3,000 soldiers and horses to take over Weizhou, while he himself led 10,000 troops to Yishangkou to provide support.

The army gathered at the foot of the hillside but there was complete silence. The armored soldiers stood with their spears in hand, while Zhang Qi reined in his horse on the high slope and, together with several other riders, looked at the group of surrendered generals approaching slowly from a distance.

Yeli Xinyi, with his head bald and his clothes lapel on the left, knelt on the grassland with an iron helmet in his hand to salute Zhang Qie. Behind him were no more than a hundred personal soldiers, and dozens of his family members huddled behind them - this Dangxiang general who was guarding Weizhou actually surrendered before the battle!

"Greetings to the Prime Minister!"

The fluent Chinese made Zhang Qie's eyebrows twitch slightly.

Zhang Qie said: "Stand up and talk!"

"Yes!" Yeli Xinyi slowly straightened up, and Zhang Qie's personal soldiers stepped forward to remove the opponent's weapons and searched his body.

Seeing that the other party had some of the demeanor of a Confucian general, Zhang Qie sized him up and said, "You look like a scholar."

Ye Li Xinyi said: "Your Excellency, my humble family has a long history of learning from the Eastern Dynasty culture, and I have admired it for a long time."

Zhang Qie smiled and said, "But your grandfather, the Imperial Master Yeli, once said that when a king rises, there must be a system for his generation... We must not allow the Tanguts to assimilate!"

Ye Li Xinyi said: "It is true as the Prime Minister said. In the past, Shang Yang enforced strict laws and became a hegemon. Zhao Wu adopted the Hu clothing and became a powerful army."

"I know that Gao is a country with mountains and rivers, with a mixture of Han and barbarians. They are brave and fond of hunting, and they spend their days on military affairs. If they learn the spirit of ritual, music, poetry and books of the Eastern Dynasty, their country will surely become weak."

"Only by teaching people to benefit from their nature and by strictly enforcing punishments and rewards according to their customs can we truly enrich our country and strengthen our army. As long as the people enjoy fighting and are accustomed to being strong, we can control China. My grandfather created our Tangut writing system and insisted throughout his life that the rituals and music of our dynasty were different from those of the Han people. We cannot change our customs and change them."

Zhang Yu agreed with what he said and said, "National Master Yeli is also a respectable and admirable person. I have never met him before, otherwise I would definitely ask him for advice."

Yeli Xinyi said: "Zhang Shuxiang is a figure like Yue Yi. Grandfather must have been happy to hear that Shuxiang praised him so highly."

Zhang Qie laughed loudly, jumped off his horse, and asked Yeli Xinyi solemnly, "Then why did you surrender to Song?"

Yeli Xinyi was silent for a moment, then said, "I know a lot about your country's politics, and I have been sending people to Qinzhou and Yongxing Prefecture to spy on your country's news."

"After Lord Zhang was reinstated as Prime Minister, the first thing he did was to appoint Zhang Shumi."

"In the past few days, Yongxing Prefecture's military resources have been continuously sent to Jingyuan Road. Weizhou City is small, how can it resist such a large army?"

Zhang Qie laughed and said, "Your Tangut spies are omnipresent."

Ye Li Xinyi said: "Weizhou and Mingsha City are both the gateways to Lingzhou. There is no chance that Weizhou will be spared."

"It's better for me to surrender early than to have the enemy at the gates."

Zhang Yu asked, "How do you know that our army is going to attack Lingzhou?"

Yeli Xinyi bowed his head and said, "The Executive Privy Council is on the road to Jingyuan. Everyone in the court and the country of Dabai Gao knows that the Eastern Dynasty is going to attack Lingzhou this time!"

Zhang Yu couldn't help laughing when he heard this, and then he said solemnly: "He who knows the current affairs is a hero."

"This dynasty will treat you and your family well."

After Yeli Xinyi was taken away, Zhang Yu said to Zhang Xi, "Write a letter to the Minister immediately."

Zhang Xi smiled and said, "Dad, Weizhou has been through several wars and is now just a small town with a population of a few thousand. It is not worth a book."

Zhang Yu said: "You know that when the country is in danger, the first to surrender are not those half-hearted people, but Yeli, who is trustworthy, calm and pragmatic, has received the country's favor for generations, and knows the strengths and weaknesses of the two countries."

"The Minister will surely be delighted to hear this."

"Besides, Weizhou surrendered without a fight. Even though it's a small city, Lingzhou's gates are wide open!"

……

The war in the northwest was restarted, and Zeng Bu, as a Hanlin scholar and Minister of Revenue, was inevitably overwhelmed.

Holding the memorial in hand, he walked quickly into the government hall and reported to Zhang Yue: "My Lord Minister, in the first year of the renewed war against the Tanguts, Shaanxi Province will need to allocate at least 12 million strings of military funds, of which Jingyuan Road will need 5 million strings of military funds alone!"

Zeng Bu frowned and continued, "Shaanxi's troops account for 40% of the country's total. Sima Xianggong originally wanted to cut redundant troops in Shaanxi and Hebei to save money. Now that the war has started, the cost is staggering. For now, we can only use the money from various places to deal with the emergency, but if this continues, the national treasury may not be able to support it..."

Zhang Yue took a sip of tea, his eyes darkening slightly. He was about to show his strength, but Zeng Bu came to hinder him - when this man was the Three Officials, he had hindered Wang Anshi in this way. Not only him, but also Xue Xiang, who was promoted by Wang Anshi himself, had acted in this way.

Moreover, both of them were appointed by Wang Anshi himself.

As soon as the reform was launched and the war broke out, the whole country became concerned with "money". As the Minister of Revenue and the Envoy of the Three Departments, as the highest official in the country, he was under tremendous pressure.

Zhang Yue put down his teacup and said calmly, "Let's put this matter aside for now and discuss it after the imperial lecture. You can go to Erying Pavilion with me today. If you have any difficulties, you may as well appeal directly to the emperor."

"Tell it to the emperor?" Zeng Bu was a little embarrassed.

He could complain to Zhang Yue, but he didn't want to do that in front of the emperor.

Zeng Bu had no choice but to bow and say, "Yes."

Zeng Bu calmed himself down and had to go to Erying Pavilion with Zhang Yue.

Every time he arrived at Erying Pavilion, Zhang Yue recalled the time when he was a lecturer for Emperor Renzong more than 20 years ago.

When the emperor first ascended the throne, the Imperial Lectures were a good place for communication between the emperor and his subjects. Wang Anshi often instilled new legal ideas into the young Emperor Shenzong at the Imperial Lectures.

The ministers would not miss the opportunity to use their ideals and influence to educate the young emperor on values ​​and influence him subtly.

But in fact, in Yuanyou in another time and space, the old party instilled so many ideas into the emperor, but in the end he still went back to "Shaosheng".

In fact, none of the civil and military officials in the court could see things as clearly as Bi Zhongyou.

Reform comes down to money, and money means profit.

What is the basis of the values ​​of the New Party and the Old Party?

Behind values ​​are respective interests, and behind interests are the class they represent.

The values ​​of the poor are naturally biased towards the left. What they want is fairness and equality, and they hope that the country will do something to open up a path for the poor to rise.

The values ​​of the powerful class are naturally biased towards the "right". What they want is freedom and relaxation, and they hope that the country will do nothing and will never touch their own land.

And what about the class of emperors?

Zhang Yue and Zeng Bu arrived at Erying Pavilion. As prime ministers, they had to pay attention to the imperial lectures at all times.

The prime minister would read the contents of the daily lectures in advance, and regarded this as a top priority, even more important than government affairs. This was especially true when the emperor was still young and his values ​​were not yet established. At the same time, he was also on guard against political enemies taking advantage of this opportunity to say something unfavorable to him.

Ministers such as Zhang Juzheng who assisted the young emperor were extremely concerned about this matter. The officials who served in the imperial lectures had to carefully select their trusted aides to take the position.

When Zhang Yue and Zeng Bu arrived at Erying Pavilion, Cheng Yi was preparing to talk about the Spring and Autumn Annals with the emperor.

After Zhang Yue and Zeng Bu took their seats, Cheng Yi began to lecture.

Wang Anshi denounced the Spring and Autumn Annals as a rotten newspaper, and did not teach any new learning. Cheng Yi had a rebellious mentality, the more you don't let me talk about it, the more I want to talk about it.

The emperor sat high up while Cheng Yi stood and lectured.

Zhang Yue listened for a while and saw that the emperor was listening very seriously.

Cheng Yi’s theories are profound, but for an ordinary child of twelve or thirteen, it is difficult to understand the subtleties in them, so most people would yawn at this time.

The emperor listened attentively, nodding his head from time to time, and thinking deeply from time to time.

Zhang Yue sighed inwardly: He is indeed a wise lord.

Cheng Yi spoke for half an hour.

The emperor was a little tired, so Cheng Yi took a rest at the right time.

The emperor turned to Zhang Yue and said, "Minister, I have already dabbled in classics and would like to learn history. Is that possible?"

Before Zhang Yue could reply, Cheng Yi said solemnly, "Your Majesty, if you suddenly attack history without fully understanding the classics, I'm afraid your main points will not be clear and your foundation will not be solid."

The emperor was somewhat disappointed upon hearing this and looked at Zhang Yue for help.

Zhang Yue coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty, what Minister Cheng said makes sense."

"Although the Spring and Autumn Annals is a history book, Confucius praised and criticized it with subtle words and profound meanings. Without the guidance of a wise teacher, it is easy to be biased."

The emperor now had his own ideas and said, "I have my own ideas, and I will not go astray."

After a pause, he said meaningfully, "I want to find out the truth, and I don't like the abridged text."

The emperor's words are meaningful. I want first-hand materials, not the ones you have processed... Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I like to read the Records of the Grand Historian, including the postscript of the Records of the Five Emperors by Sima Qian."

"Scholars call them the Five Emperors, but the Book of History only records events after Yao, and when the various schools of thought discussed the emperors, there were many discrepancies and they are not credible."

"Taishigong traveled to Kongtong Mountain in the west, passed Zhuolu Mountain in the north, faced the sea in the east, and crossed the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers in the south. He studied the deeds of the Five Emperors in the local legends and finally selected the most elegant one as the "Annals of the Five Emperors" and placed it at the beginning of the book."

What does Sima Qian mean by this? There are many different versions of the actual deeds of the Five Emperors, and they happened so long ago that they cannot be truly verified.

So I chose the most "elegant and correct" statement in the "Records of the Five Emperors" as the first article of the Records of the Grand Historian.

Sima Qian also added that for later readers of history, "If they are not studious and thoughtful, it would be difficult for them to understand its meaning with their shallow views and little knowledge."

Sima Qian said this to those who would read the Records of the Grand Historian. Do you think Sima Qian had never read the Bamboo Annals? I'm afraid there are even darker stories than this.

"But is the truth important?" Zhang Yue looked directly at the emperor. "People can lie to your face, let alone legends passed down by word of mouth? Not to mention the events recorded in black and white thousands of years ago from the Han Dynasty."

Don't try to find the truth deliberately, because if you don't have a certain level of acceptance in your mind, the truth is very scary, especially for those who are "shallow-minded and ill-informed".

As an emperor, you must understand that when you have no ability to change the truth, you should not touch the truth.

Zhang Yue continued: "...But since Your Majesty wants to read history..."

The emperor was disappointed at first, but when he saw Zhang Yue change the subject, he immediately became interested and asked, "Minister, what is it?"

Zhang Yue said: "Recently, a new history book has been written. Zizhi Tongjian written by Sima Guang can be regarded as a book for imperial lectures."

"The late emperor gave it the name 'Learning from the past can help govern the country'. I think if Your Majesty wants to read history, you can read this book first."

The emperor was delighted when he heard this, but he couldn't help but frown when he heard what Sima Guang wrote.

Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, please do not take this book lightly. The first sentence of this book, 'From Yong Sheti Ge to Xuan Xi Kun Dun, a total of thirty-five years', shows that Sima Gong wrote this book with great care and attention."

This is the theory of Yang year and Yin year. Zhuo Yong Sheti Ge is the year of Wu Yin, and Xuan Xi Kun Dun is the year of Ren Zi.

This means that the book Zhou Ji starts from the 23rd year of King Weilie of Zhou and ends in the 7th year of King Lie of Zhou.

As a chronicle, Sima Guang used the Tai Sui calendar and invited Liu Xisou to be in charge of the chronicle.

The emperor nodded and said, "Tomorrow we will talk about Zizhi Tongjian. Who can take the role?"

Zhang Yue said: "I recommend the Imperial Censor Guo Lin. I learned a lot from his father when I was young. I recommended him many times after I became an official. But he refused to serve as an official like Sima Guang."

The emperor said: "Such a gentleman who upholds the principles must be a good teacher."

Zhang Yue immediately said, "I have another matter to report to Your Majesty today. The Minister of Finance just said that if we use the army in the northwest, the expenditure this year will increase by 12 million guan, and it will be countless in the next two years."

Zeng Bu stood up and said, "Your Majesty, this is indeed the case. Although the national treasury can be maintained at present, if the expenditure increases suddenly, I am afraid it will be difficult to continue."

The young emperor frowned and looked at Zhang Yue: "Does Mr. Zhang have any good ideas?"

Zhang Yue said: "The money and grain expenditures for the Northwest must not be reduced in the slightest."

He paused and continued, "The benefits of cotton cloth and money for the people are to be sustained over time, and we must not exhaust the resources. I ask that you continue to implement the equal taxation law for square fields, survey the land in the world, and thoroughly investigate the hidden fields of the powerful!"

Although the emperor was young, he understood that this would offend the powerful.

There are not so many ways to make a cake, dividing the cake is also necessary.

Zhang Yue said in a deep voice: "I am willing to take on this responsibility. The previous performance evaluation method is to ensure that the central government supervises the local governments and holds officials accountable at all levels to ensure the effectiveness of the officials."

The emperor nodded slowly.

After Zhang Yue's speech, Zeng Bu also wanted to express his opinion. He said: "I have also increased revenue and reduced expenditure in the Ministry of Revenue. At worst, I have to sell everything I have and dig three feet deep in the ground, but I will never delay the court's plan to govern the northwest."

The emperor stared at the two men for a moment, and suddenly said: "You two beloved ministers have served the country loyally, but you seem to have forgotten one thing."

He stood up and said, "You two gentlemen, please follow me to see the Queen Mother."

Ministers such as Zhang Yue and Zeng Bu followed the emperor to the outside of Empress Dowager Xiang's palace. The emperor went in first and ordered the two ministers to wait.

Zhang Yue and Zeng Bu stood outside the palace, waiting to be summoned. Inside the palace, they could faintly hear the emperor and Empress Dowager Xiang talking in low voices. About a quarter of an hour later, the eunuch bowed and led the two inside.

Behind the curtain, Empress Dowager Xiang remained silent.

Only the bronze crane was slowly emitting smoke.

The emperor sat upright at his desk and suddenly recited aloud:

"During the Five Dynasties, the Xiongnu were rampant. When Emperor Taizu founded the country, he wanted to punish them. He set up the inner court and recruited scholars. My great-grandson will protect him, and I dare not forget his ambition!"

After reciting, the emperor looked at him with a burning gaze: "This is the poem written by the late emperor himself. All the thirty-two inner chambers are named after a word from the poem."

"When the late emperor was alive, he told me that he had counted the total amount and it was more than 50 million strings of cash. It was raised during the 20 years of reform. It will be used to destroy the Xia Dynasty in the future!"

Zhang Yue's sleeves trembled slightly when he heard this.

At this point, the emperor stared at the two of them and said, "I have discussed with the Queen Mother, the increased military expenditure of 12 million strings of cash will not be reduced in one cent! Take the money from me."

"All of it will be taken from the inner treasury."

"The next two years will be the same."

Zeng Bu showed surprise, but there was a flash of joy in his eyes.

Zhang Yue knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty is wise! But this inner treasury is the hard work of the late emperor."

The emperor raised his hand and said: "This is not my intention, but the will of the late emperor!"

The young emperor's voice suddenly became sonorous: "Destroying the Tanguts is not only a matter of state, but also my filial duty as a son!"

"Not to mention emptying these thirty-two warehouses, I will not hesitate to spend all the treasury!"

"In the face of national affairs...even the bronze cranes in my palace will be turned into arrows!"

Zhang Yue, Zeng Bu glanced at the bronze crane in front of the throne and said, "I obey your order."

Behind the curtain, he slowly said to the Queen Mother: "I don't like to cause trouble like this, but this is also the intention of the late emperor and your majesty's wish."

"I have another proposal. For three years, all repairs in the palace will be stopped."

"Except for the Empress Dowager, starting from myself, Your Majesty, the meals of all others will be reduced by half, to set an example."

The beaded curtain trembled slightly, and the Queen Mother sighed inaudibly: "This is all that your Majesty and I can do. The rest is in the hands of the two of you."

Zhang Yue and Zeng Bu bowed deeply, their foreheads touching the ground: "Your Majesty, I accept your order."

Zhang Yue stood up and said with a sharp gaze: "If the Tanguts are not destroyed within three years, I will take the blame!"

"When Your Majesty takes power, I will present to Your Majesty a Great Song Dynasty with full granaries, well-equipped military, and the four barbarians at peace!"

After saying this, Zhang Yue stood up and left the hall. Zeng Bu also bowed and left the hall.

The emperor watched Zhang Yue and Zeng Bu leave.

After the two men left the hall, Zeng Bu could no longer hold back and quickly chased after Zhang Yue: "Minister! Minister, please stay!"

Zhang Yue looked back at Zeng Bu, then stopped and asked, "What do you mean?"

Seeing Zhang Yue stop, Zeng Bu was excited and waved his sleeves, saying: "With such a wise queen mother and emperor, why worry about the destruction of the Dangxiang!"

Suddenly seeing Zhang Yue's indifferent expression, Zeng Bu immediately understood and hurriedly said: "Of course it is all thanks to the minister's perfect plan and his command of the court! I will definitely be in the Ministry of Revenue..."

"No hurry, think it over first." Zhang Yue stretched out his hand to interrupt Zeng Bu, raised his eyes to the clouds outside the palace wall and said slowly: "I swore an oath in front of the emperor just now, and you heard it. This is a three-year period."

Zeng Bu gritted his teeth and said, "This year, we will send 15 million strings of cash to the northwest! Next year, at least 20 million strings of cash."

He suddenly cupped his hands and said, "Even though the whole court is tightening its belt and selling everything it has, it is impossible for the Northwest soldiers to suffer a single cent."

"Within three years, Zeng Bu vows to help you accomplish your grand plan of destroying the Tanguts."

Zhang Yue nodded slowly: "The money has been prepared for you."

At this moment, his voice was like snow falling into a cold pond: "You and I must not betray the emperor's grace, we must repay the country with our lives!"

Zeng Bu nodded heavily.

In another time and space, the Yuanyou period was in financial chaos. Due to the abolition of the new law, the court's revenue and expenditure were unbalanced and the fiscal deficit was high.

During the 20th year of Emperor Shenzong's reform, 32 treasuries were established, but no one knows where the accumulated money went.

There are also the reform efforts that have disappeared in the dust of history and the deep sighs of emperors and generals.

Now, history begins again.

……

late at night.

One decree after another was issued from the Government Affairs Hall.

On the official roads from Guanzhong to Jingyuan, there were carriages, horses and baggage flowing like dragons, winding for hundreds of miles.

All the warehouses on Yongxingjun Road and Qinfeng Road were opened and worked day and night. The Weihe River grain ships were connected end to end to block the river. The laborers bent their backs and piled up bags of grain with vermilion "sealing stake" marks into a mountain.

The craftsmen of the Military Equipment Bureau were loading the newly cast crossbows and divine arm bows onto carts. The bowstrings soaked in tung oil shone with a cold light, and the iron arrows packed into boxes made clashing sounds like the clanging of golden swords.

As night falls, torches on both sides of the Longxi official road are lit up like a long dragon.

Under the torches soaked in pine resin, thousands of armored cavalrymen advanced against the north wind blowing from the Helan Mountains. Behind them, the "Thunderbolt Cannon" specially made by the Military Equipment Bureau was slowly towed by ox carts between the mountains.

When the war in the northwest broke out, the Song Dynasty mobilized the entire country and sent the military supplies accumulated over the past 20 years to various places in Shaanxi.