Seeing what Pang Ji said, Cao Bin no longer refused, and chatted for a while about the current situation in the court, before the servants finished pretending to salute.
Then everyone got on their horses and carriages and headed towards the city.
The Cao family had a large population and was accustomed to extravagant living expenses. They only used nearly a hundred carriages and the team stretched for one or two miles.
The merchants and common people along the way saw this huge convoy and gave way one after another.
After seeing the flags on the motorcade, some businessmen from other places couldn’t help but complain:
"Zhongjing Hou Cao's family? This person is really rich. It seems that he just came back from serving as an official in another place. I don't know how much he has been greedy."
Upon hearing this, some people in the capital immediately retorted:
"What do you know? Mr. Cao Hou is known as the Little God of Wealth. He can't make money from his family's business, so why is there any need for corruption?"
At this time, a scholar next to him heard this and said seriously:
"Taizu once stipulated that officials were not allowed to do business or compete with the people for profit. Even if Zhongjinghou does business, it is not in line with the court's laws, right?"
Hearing this, the merchant sneered:
"Which life are you talking about? The imperial court has long stopped caring about it."
"Besides, he is an ordinary official, not someone as distinguished as the Marquis of Zhongjing."
The scholar choked and said angrily:
"A gentleman is ashamed of his words and power, and the court is full of people who smell bad. How can the country be governed well?"
The Song Dynasty was not allowed to buy and sell land, so it attached great importance to business. It also had a non-compliant but tacit attitude towards officials doing business, and there was no restriction on the nobility.
This has become the norm, and even Bao Zheng will not care about these things.
Only certain people and certain officials will use the money they make from business to impeach others or be impeached.
At this time, the common man looked at the scholar and said with a smile:
"I think you are jealous. Mr. Cao's martial arts skills are unmatched in the world. Although he is a bit unconventional, he has also made great contributions to the Song Dynasty."
"I, a man from Bianjing, am much more useful than a poor man like you. By the way, have you been selected as a scholar..."
When the scholar heard this, he almost lost his temper. He tossed his sleeves, turned around and left, cursing:
"There is no way to make a fool of yourself!"
Although he was not selected as a scholar, he was still a scholar. Who would disrespect him in his hometown? He never thought that even ordinary people in Bianjing would dare to criticize him.
Damn it, if I can't win the exam, why should I come to Bianjing to do business?
Bianjing City Gate.
The size of the Zhongjing Marquis's motorcade was indeed quite large. Although no one along the way was willing to compete with the Cao family for official access, it was already noon by the time they arrived at the city gate.
At this moment, Forbes suddenly came to report:
"Master, the city gate seems to be blocked. Should we go to the north gate again?"
Cao Bin frowned and said:
"what happened?"
The outside of Bianjing City is also very prosperous. People come and go on the official road, which is very inconvenient. If you change the road again, you will not be able to reach your home after dark.
Uncle Fu said hurriedly:
"At the city gate, a carriage blocked the convoy of the Liao and Xixia envoys, and a fight broke out."
When Cao Bin heard this, he looked at Pang Ji thoughtfully and said:
"It seems that Xixia and Liao are hooking up again. What does father-in-law think?"
Pang Ji waved his hand indifferently and said:
"Juncai, please don't meddle in other people's business. I'm afraid the two countries saw the late emperor's death and thought they had an opportunity to take advantage of it, so they came to provoke us again."
"This is a matter between the Political Affairs Hall and the Foreign Affairs Council. It is nothing more than a compromise."
"If you do this kind of thing too often, it will be bad for your reputation. Don't ask for trouble."
"Especially now, there are many ignorant people around, so you should not show your face. If you do not handle it properly, it will arouse public anger."
Cao Bin laughed twice, shook his head and said:
"Father-in-law, don't always look at Liaoxia today with the same old eyes."
"Although our Song Dynasty is now depleted of military resources, Xixia and Liao are not much better."
"Now it's a bastard versus a tortoise, don't bully anyone."
"My son-in-law can guarantee that even if I beat up the envoy, they won't dare to do anything."
Needless to say, the Liao Kingdom was instigated by Cao Bin to rebel after their defeat, and the country has just been restored to peace less than half a year ago.
Even if they have some conspiracy, they don't have the power to carry it out.
Xixia was even worse. Last year, during the Five-pronged Expedition to Xia, they used the whole country to fight against the Song Dynasty. At least 200,000 troops were wiped out, and they were even beaten to Xingqing Mansion in the capital.
If it were the Song and Liao countries, it might not take a few years to recover.
However, Xixia had only a population of more than three million. It was able to fight with Song and Liao, but it was just a matter of two people drawing one, and all the people were soldiers.
Coupled with sufficient war horses and strong folk customs, they were able to defeat the Song Dynasty and resist the Liao Kingdom.
Now they have lost more than 200,000 young men and have seriously damaged their foundation.
Their current situation is like that of Zhao State, which had 400,000 people killed during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. It's a little better, but not much better...
Hearing this, Pang Ji narrowed his eyes slightly, pondered for a moment, nodded and said:
"If what you said is true, you really don't need to be too afraid of them... No!"
As he spoke, he shook his head suddenly:
"If that's the case, why are they causing trouble? How could we expect that the Song Dynasty would give in?"
"If I anger my Song Dynasty, how will they deal with the consequences?"
In his mind, once there is a conflict between the Song people and Liao Xia, it must be Liao Xia's provocation.
This is not because he favors his own people, but it has been a long-standing fact that when Liao and Xia envoys come, the Song people will basically not take the initiative to cause trouble.
Cao Bin laughed when he heard this and said:
"Perhaps they got something?"
"My son-in-law's spies have found some traces of Zhao Ji. He may have taken 'Queen Mother Liu' to Xixia..."
When Pang Ji heard this, he suddenly said:
"If so, it will be a bit troublesome. I still don't recommend that you show up."
He was not as well-informed as Cao Bin, so he was a little confused at the beginning. But now after hearing Cao Bin's speculation, he immediately understood.
Cao Bin smiled and said:
"Don't worry, father-in-law. My son-in-law is confident that Xixia will send Zhao Ji and 'Queen Mother Liu' back obediently."
"What's more, I am an important official of the imperial court and I am already here. If I turn a blind eye, there will be something wrong after all."
"Not to mention the court's opinions, the people thought that my son-in-law was afraid of Liao Xia."
Pang Yu, who was outside the car, heard this and immediately agreed:
"Juncai is right. Who have we brothers been afraid of? It's just a few barbarians. If we can't kill them, I'll call him dad."
As he said this, he started to fold his arms and roll up his sleeves, getting excited. It had been a long time since he had fought with Cao Bin.
When Pang Ji heard this, he was so angry that he kicked Pang Yu out, knocking Pang Yu to his feet and causing him to fall off the carriage.
Cao Bin was speechless. After jumping out of the car, he ignored Pang Yu, got on his horse and ran towards the city gate.
Nowadays, the Song Dynasty and Liao Xia are in a state of two-sided fear. Whoever saves his life will have the upper hand. After all, none of the three parties has the courage or ability to launch a large-scale war.
When Cao Bin arrived at the city gate, he saw a Xixia general commanding a few soldiers to beat a group of servants wildly. The Liaoxia envoy stood behind and watched with a smile.
The people who were bullied were also acquaintances, it was Li Qingzhao and her handsome fiancé.
Cao Bin was a little speechless. It seemed that every time he met them, these two people were in bad luck...
