It wasn't until noon that the study door opened again, and Hong Qi and Lu Qiu walked out with solemn expressions.
The palace prepared food. After Lu Qiu ate, he left hand in hand with Hong Qi. Zhao Zhu called Su Shi again and handed over the command talisman, asking him to go to the Infantry Division's Divine Guards to deliver an order before resting.
In the afternoon, someone outside the house was holding an invitation and giving a gift. After seeing the invitation, Zhao Tong asked the housekeeper to bring the person. When he saw it, he recognized it. It was Tong Guan's godson Tong Shimin. He couldn't help laughing and said: "When will Privy Tong return?" Beijing?"
Tong Shimin said: "Go back to your lord, my father returned to Beijing last night and immediately entered the palace. He has been staying in the house since the court today and did not go to the West Mansion for work."
Zhao Tong asked, "How are things going in the southwest?"
Tong Shimin said: "We wiped out two groups of bandits and recruited one group, but they are not very fertile. The bandits in the southwest are very poor!"
Zhao Tong smiled and said: "Then what are you sending to me? Privy Tong is so tired from this trip, I will just make up for it myself."
Tong Shimin said respectfully: "When I returned to the army, I reorganized it in Luoyang, Xijing. The local officials were filial, so how could my father dare to monopolize it?"
Zhao Tong shook his head and said: "The Taoist has his own intentions. You go and answer him. I will be there for the banquet in the evening."
Tong Shimin said goodbye and left. Zhao Tong looked at the box and found that there was no gold or silver, but only some jewelry and jades. He ordered Lei San to send all these things to Broken Jade Tower and probably turn them into silver.
In the blink of an eye, it was almost dusk. Seeing that the clouds were magnificent and the rays were brilliant, and the hot flashes in the air gradually faded away, Zhao Tong ordered people to prepare a sedan chair and left the house and went straight to Tong Guan's place.
Tong Guan has lived outside the palace for a long time. He has no fewer than seven or eight houses in Tokyo, but the one he lives in most often is a mansion in the Pixie Lane of East Street.
The place in Bixie Alley is quiet. Apart from the Tong Mansion, there are the residences of some high-ranking military officials, and Taoist hermits who devote themselves to cultivation. There are no other people around.
When we arrived at Tong Mansion, we saw a large courtyard, but there were not many carriages and horses in front of it. Apparently Tong Guan had not invited many people. The soldier on duty saw the sedan and ran inside to report. After Zhao Tong came down, he just walked into the gate. I saw Tong Guan coming out.
I saw this eunuch who was in charge of the Privy Council, opened the Yitong and the Third Division of the government, and was wearing a purple robe and a wingless silk gauze hat. He was tall and had a ruddy complexion, and he had a certain magnanimity.
"Your Majesty, your Majesty has arrived, but I have missed the opportunity to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!" Tong Guan said with a strong voice.
Zhao Tong looked at him, always wondering that as a eunuch, Tong Guan actually had a beard. Moreover, he was not young now, and it was a bit unbelievable that he was still so strong.
If it is said that someone showed mercy in those days, it is unlikely. Tong Guan was the palace wall that Shenzong entered during Xining. At that time, there were not many eunuchs in the inner court, only two or three hundred people at best. It is not as good as now, and Emperor Daojun will The scale of the internal service has expanded more than ten times, and there is still a chance for some tricks.
Zhao Tong said: "Doctor, you are far ahead. Why did you come to greet me in person? Let's go inside and talk."
The two of them walked straight into the central hall and saw the splendor and jewels, but they were several times more luxurious than those in Zhao Tong's house.
In the middle hall, a big table had been set up early, and servants were standing around. When they saw the two people walking in, they all fell down.
There was only one person who just stepped forward and saluted politely. Zhao Tong recognized him when he saw him, and the smile on his face couldn't help but grow stronger.
Tong Guandao: "I asked Liang Si to come and accompany the prince, please don't be weird."
Zhao Tong said: "I haven't seen you for a long time. I just want to talk about it today, but it's Taoist who has the intention."
The man saw the courtesy again and said, "It's a good heir who is reckless."
Zhao Tong looked at him. He was of medium build and very strong, with an elegant face but a hint of determination. He couldn't help but sigh secretly in his heart.
This man is called Li Liangsi, whose original name is Ma Zhi. He was brought back by Tong Guan from his mission to the Liao Kingdom a few years ago. He is the founder of the famous "Sea Alliance".
Ma Zhi talked about military affairs on paper, only knowing that the Jurchen army was brave and the Liao army was corrupt, but he did not know that the Song army was worse than the Liao army. They were worse than each other, but they were even worse. However, he still thought about redefining the world pattern under the attack of Song and Jin. Unexpectedly After the death of the Song Dynasty, it was far superior to the Liao Dynasty. Hundreds of thousands of people could not defeat the thousands of remnant soldiers of the Liao Kingdom. In the end, everything was taken for granted. In the end, he fell into the legend of the traitor.
Others said he was a Jurchen spy, but there was a lack of evidence, and judging from this person's final outcome, it was probably not the case. Otherwise, he would have run away long ago, and there would be no need to stay in the court waiting to die.
No one can bear the weight of the huge consequences caused by the Maritime Alliance. But to put it bluntly, if it were not for the Dao Lord and Emperor who insisted on going his own way, were arbitrary, overjoyed with success, and short-sighted, the Maritime Alliance would not have been possible.
When Ma Zhi came to Tokyo with Tong Guan, Zhao Tong was only eleven or twelve years old and had not yet left the palace to open a palace. It took some time for him to know about this matter. At that time, let alone whether he had the strength to kill Ma Zhi, he was Ma Zhi's A set of rhetoric has entered the mind of Emperor Daojun, and from then on, he has been discussing this matter until now.
At present, Emperor Daojun and the ministers in the court are almost unanimous in their opinions. They just have to wait for the right time to implement Ma Zhi's strategy. It is too late for Zhao Tong to enter the court, and in the heart of Emperor Daojun, this kind of thing is simply more important than anything in heaven. Even if it is big, it is difficult to stop it.
At the beginning of the banquet, Ma Zhi, who was now called Li Liangsi, did not say much. He was just accompanying the wine department, at least on the surface he was relatively stable.
Zhao Tong drank the wine and said: "Master, I also practice martial arts, but it is always difficult to practice it to a high level. I don't know how you achieved this body of copper skin and iron bones. If you have any tips, please tell me."
Tong Gulian didn't dare to say: "Your Majesty, the martial arts of the outer sect is just a matter of beating one's strength. Over time, it will naturally become stronger."
Zhao Tong added: "Don't mention these things that everyone knows. I remember that your adoptive father Li Xian was a powerful figure in the northwest. His martial arts skills were more than copper skin and iron bones. I wonder what your score is?"
Speaking of Li Xian, even though Tong Guan looks rough and majestic, he can't help but show a trace of nostalgia, saying: "My adoptive father is not as capable as Guan, and his proficiency in martial arts can only be inherited by two or three. My adoptive father has special skills, and so does Guan." It’s only in recent years that I’ve had a glimpse of it, and if I can pass it on to others, I will be worthy of the kindness of knowing and meeting people.”
Zhao Tong asked: "Since it is Li Zhongmin's special skill, and Dafu cares so much about it, it must be a rare skill."
Tong Guan clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, it's not that Tong Guan is hiding his secrets. In fact, only those who have been castrated by eunuchs can learn the skills of the foster father. I would never dare to offer them to the prince!"
Zhao Tong's eyes moved when he heard this, and he laughed loudly: "It's natural, but I have something to tell you today."
Tong Guan was puzzled and said: "My lord, please speak frankly. If Guan Guan can do it, I will not refuse."
Zhao Tao said: "I have a person who works as a general judge in the small area of Wuweijun on Huainan West Road. I wanted to bring him to Beijing. I initially thought that the Hubu was the best. After all, after Yuanfeng was restructured, the three divisions were abolished, and the Hubu gathered the culmination of the three divisions. , very powerful, but later I thought that the Ministry of Revenue was controlled by the Cai family, so I just thought about it, it would be more convenient to serve in your Privy Council."
