In the early morning, the sky in the east has just turned blue, the air is still cold, and people are already coming and going on the streets of Bianjing City. On both sides of the street, breakfast sellers, taverns, inns, etc. are all open for business. The young seller also carried a load and shouted "Cooking cakes! Cooking cakes!" along the street.
At this time, a sedan came in a hurry, and several government officials in front shouted loudly at pedestrians to get out of the way. Pedestrians hid on the street amidst the shouts of the government officials. The sedan was carried by people from Sri Lanka, and there were four government servants in front and behind the sedan.
The sedan hurriedly passed through the street amidst the shouts of the government officials.
The people sitting in the sedan were Zhao Liangsi, the imperial secretary Cheng and Guanglu doctor.
Last night, Zhao Liangsi received news that Zhang Jue, the Jin Kingdom's naval envoy, Pingzhou left behind, and Tongpingzhang's subordinate, was secretly communicating with Wang Anzhong, the imperial pacifier of Yanshan Prefecture, and wanted to bring his camp to the three states of Pingluan and join the imperial court; and , the Holy Spirit also received the report and agreed with Wang Anzhong to recruit Zhang Jue. At that time, Zhao Liangsi was so shocked that he dropped the teacup in his hand.
This situation was so serious that Zhao Liangsi could not but be surprised and horrified.
Not long ago, Zhao Liangsi negotiated with the Kingdom of Jin and recovered the six states of Yanjing. In the negotiation process and the final agreement, it was clearly stipulated that neither the Song Dynasty nor the Jin Dynasty could recruit surrenders or rebels in the other country's territory. Otherwise, all covenants signed by the two parties, including the maritime alliance signed a year ago, would be invalid.
For Emperor Huizong Zhao Ji, the six states of Yanjing have been recovered, and the ten states of Yunshuo have been stationed with a large number of troops and can be recovered at any time. At this time, Zhang Jue wanted to camp in the three states of Pingluan and defect to the imperial court. The three states of Pingluan will also be recovered. This is a great thing. Why should we care about the covenant between Song and Jin? That covenant was originally signed to recover the Yanyun Sixteenth Prefecture. Now that the Yanyun Sixteenth Prefecture is about to be recovered, and the three Yingping and Luan Prefectures can also be recovered, what is the purpose of that covenant? !
Yes, the Jin State captured most of the land of the Liao State, but it was only recovered with the restraint of the imperial troops and horses. Without the restraint of the imperial troops and horses, the Jin Kingdom may not be able to defeat the Liao Kingdom; besides, even if he could defeat the Liao Kingdom, After all, the Liao Kingdom was still an uncivilized country and could not be compared with our superior country. I surrendered Zhang Jue and recovered the three states of Yingping and Luan. What could he do? The three prefectures of Yingping, Pingluan, etc. are originally Han territories! The people of the three prefectures of Yingping and Luan long for the imperial court. I love the people like my own sons. How can I dampen the return sentiments of the people of the three prefectures of Yingping and Luan? ! Therefore, Zhao Ji was very excited, extremely eager, and eager to promote Zhang Jue's surrender to the Song Dynasty by offering his camp to the three states of Pingluan and Luan. He absolutely had no intention of abiding by the agreement between the Song and Jin Dynasties and refusing Zhang Jue's surrender to the Song Dynasty.
It was different for Zhao Liangsi. It was Zhao Liangsi who initiated the alliance with Jin to destroy Liao. The Maritime Alliance was also signed by Zhao Liangsi after he went to Jin more than ten times to negotiate. The recovery of the six states of Yanjing was also the result of Zhao Liangsi's negotiation with Jin. It played an important role in the whole matter. Afterwards, Zhao Liangsi was very clear about the situation in the Kingdom of Jin. Zhao Liangsi knew that the consequences of containing Zhang Jue would be absolutely disastrous.
The reason why Zhao Liangsi was able to realize this consequence was because of his own experience. At the beginning, Zhao Liangsi held the position of Guanglu Qing of the Liao Kingdom and was very aware of the grievances between the Liao and Jin Dynasties. Later, in order to suppress the Jurchens, Yelu Yanxi sent Xiao Wuna to serve as the prefect of Ningbian Prefecture. Zhao Liangsi followed Xiao Wuna to Ningbian Prefecture and served as the deputy prefect, and he also knew the temperament of the Jurchens very well. Zhao Liangsi personally experienced the Jurchens' attacks on Ningbian Prefecture and Huanglong Mansion, and knew the bravery of Jurchen soldiers and horses. Later, when negotiating and signing a maritime alliance with the Jin Kingdom, Zhao Liangsi was invited by Wanyan Aguda and witnessed with his own eyes the process of the Jurchen soldiers attacking Zhongjing of the Liao Kingdom. At that time, Zhao Liangsi had already realized that perhaps the maritime alliance he initiated and signed would put the Song Dynasty in a situation that would never be restored. Zhao Liangsi did not expect that the Jin Kingdom's soldiers and horses would be so powerful, and he regretted it at the time. But now that the matter had come to this, he had no choice but to sign a maritime alliance with the Jin Kingdom. Zhao Liangsi placed his hope in the strength of the imperial army and horses, which could restrain the Jin army. Later, Tong Guan led his troops to attack Youzhou, but was defeated twice by the incomplete Liao army. Zhao Liangsi did not expect that the combat effectiveness of the imperial troops and horses was so weak. This gave Zhao Liangsi a clear understanding of the power between Song and Jin. Zhao Liangsi knew that if the imperial court accepted Zhang Jue, it would inevitably trigger a war between Song and Jin. ; And once the war between Song and Jin broke out, the consequences would be unimaginable.
It is for this reason that Zhao Liangsi was shocked when he learned that the imperial court would recruit Zhang Jue. He was so frightened that the tea cup he was holding fell to the ground.
While speaking, Zhao Liangsi was sitting in a sedan chair and had already arrived in front of the palace gate. Zhao Liangsi got off the sedan chair. One of the yamen servants said to the palace official: "Quickly report to the scenic spot. Secretary Cheng and Guanglu Doctor Zhao have an urgent matter to see the Holy One."
The bailiff reported the situation inside.
After a while, a report came from the palace: "Secretary Cheng and Dr. Guanglu Zhao Liangsi came to the palace to pay an audience."
Zhao Liangsi then walked into the palace.
When Zhao Liangsi entered the palace, he was told that Emperor Huizong was meeting Zhao Liangsi in Chui Gong Hall. Zhao Liangsi hurried to Chui Gong Hall.
Chui Gong Hall is not as spacious and majestic as Chongzheng Hall. It was a palace where Emperor Huizong met with important officials in a small area, and the etiquette was much simpler.
Zhao Liangsi entered the Chui Gong Hall, knelt on the ground, looked at Emperor Huizong and bowed his head, and shouted: "Long live my emperor!"
Zhao Ji waved his hand and said: "Zhao Qing, please forgive me and please be free."
Zhao Liangsi got up. Zhao Ji said to the palace man, "Show Zhao Qing his seat." The palace man then asked Zhao Liangsi to sit aside.
As soon as Zhao Liangsi sat down, Zhao Ji asked, "Why did Zhao Qing request an audience so early in the morning?"
Zhao Liangsi stood up quickly, looked at Emperor Huizong, bowed his head, and replied: "Your Majesty. I heard that Zhang Jue, who was staying in Pingzhou of the Jin Kingdom, wanted to offer his camp to the three states of Pingluan and surrender to the imperial court. Is this possible? I came here specifically for this matter. "
Zhao Ji heard this and said, "This is indeed true. King Anzhong of Yanshan Prefecture reported it, and Zhang Jue sent Pingzhou Deputy Magistrate Yuan Dingyi to Yanshan Prefecture to request submission."
Zhao Liangsi asked: "I wonder what the Holy Lord's intention is?"
"Of course it's allowed!" Zhao Ji said excitedly: "The imperial court's majesty has spread to all directions, and the Han generals who have lost other countries are asking for submission like looking at the stars and the moon. This is because of the imperial court's great grace and majesty. How can the imperial court refuse to pay attention? Besides, the three states of Yingping and Luan are strategically important places that the Jurchens must pass through when entering the Central Plains. Having the three states of Yingping and Luan will give them a strategic advantage. How can we refuse such a good thing?"
When Zhao Liangsi saw this, he looked at Huizong Zhao Ji, bowed his head, and said sincerely: "Your Majesty, this matter must not be done."
When Zhao Ji saw this, he felt unhappy and his face sank.
Seeing this, Zhao Liangsi bowed his head again and said: "I'm going to report to you, Your Majesty. I received the favor of Your Majesty, and for the sake of the imperial court, I was shattered to pieces without hesitation. Last year, I was sent by Your Majesty to go to the Kingdom of Jin and signed the Song and Jin Dynasty. Alliance, we will jointly attack the Liao Dynasty and regain the homeland of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun that was lost during the Later Jin Dynasty. Not long ago, I negotiated with the Jin Kingdom and wanted to return the six prefectures of Yanjing. I am telling you that everything must be comprehensively weighed against the pros and cons..."
Next, Zhao Liangsi wanted to talk about what the Jin State requested and the Jin State's military advantages. If the court defaulted on the contract, it might trigger a war between the Song and Jin Dynasties. Once the war broke out between the Song and Jin Dynasties, the situation would develop beyond the control of the court. Controlled. However, before Zhao Liangsi could take any time to speak, he was interrupted by Zhao Ji.
Zhao Liangsi said that this matter must not be done, and Zhao Ji became unhappy. It is obvious that the three states of Yingping, Pingluan, and Luan can be recovered, and they can be recovered without a single shot or a sword. Why is it 'absolutely impossible'? Could it be that I can't accept the imperial court's homeland even if they want to send it back? This is really unreasonable! Then, Zhao Liangsi talked about his mission to the Kingdom of Jin, signing an alliance and returning to the six states of Yanjing. Zhao Ji thought that Zhao Liangsi was showing off his merits, so he interrupted unhappily: "I also highly praise Zhao Qing's merits. Well! When Zhao Qing first arrived, I gave you Zhao Xing and treated you as one of my own family members. This favor is not unimportant! Later, I gave you a mansion and promoted you to the position of editor and secretary of Youwen Palace. A few days ago, I gave you Zhao Xing. Promoting you to Guanglu Doctor is a reward for meritorious service, right? Could it be that Zhao Qing thinks that my kindness is not heavy enough and Zhao Qing's official position is not high enough, so Zhao Qing still wants to ask for a higher official position? Zhao Qing, you Say, if you want any official position, I will grant it to you!"
When Zhao Liangsi saw it, he knelt down and knelt down.
Huizong Zhao Ji snorted in his nose to express his disgust.
Zhao Liangsi kowtowed three times and said loudly: "Your Majesty. Your Majesty's kindness will never be repaid with death. Your Majesty! I am a commoner in Liao State. I am so rich only because I met your Majesty. How can I dare to do so?" Do you have any unreasonable thoughts? The grace of the Holy One is already greater than the sky and thicker than the earth. It cannot be increased, and it is difficult for me to repay it even if I am so devastated."
Zhao Ji said angrily: "Even so, why do you ask for credit and reward in front of me?"
"Your Majesty." Zhao Liangsi said almost crying: "I don't want to show my merits, nor am I asking for rewards. I have something important to report to Your Majesty."
After hearing this, Zhao Ji's expression softened and he said to Zhao Liangsi: "If Zhao Qing has any important situation, just tell him."
Zhao Liangsi looked up and bowed, and reported: "Your Majesty. When I was negotiating with the Jin State, the Jin State clearly stated that neither the Song Dynasty nor the Jin Dynasty could recruit rebels within the territory of the other country. The imperial court is now recruiting the Jin State to surrender and stay in Pingzhou to guard Zhang. If you feel that it violates the agreement between Song and Jin, it will trigger a dispute between the two countries."
"Unbridled!" Zhao Ji was furious when he heard this and said loudly: "The Jurchens are a small, uncivilized country. What qualifications does he have to negotiate terms with me?! What I have recovered is the land that was lost to the Han Dynasty. Those places were originally the hometown of the imperial court. How can I Do we need his Jurchen’s permission? So what if he doesn’t allow it? Do you want to fight with me? My millions of forbidden troops are afraid of his little Jurchen? This is simply nonsense!"
"Your Majesty!" Zhao Liangsi kept kowtowing on the ground.
Zhao Ji said loudly: "Don't hold back any more! Zhang Jue of Pingzhou has come to surrender, and I have already issued an order to Wang Anzhong to facilitate it. You don't have to say anything more about this matter, just stand down!"
Zhao Liangsi still bowed his head and refused to retreat.
Zhao Ji said loudly: "Get out!"
Zhao Liangsi should not have bowed his head while saying: "Your Majesty, I am the Secretary-General of the Imperial Court and Doctor Guanglu. On issues related to the safety of the Imperial Court, you must not tell the truth."
When Zhao Ji heard Zhao Liangsi emphasize that he was the Secretary-General of the Imperial Court and Doctor Guanglu, he suddenly became furious and said loudly: "You are the Secretary-General of the Imperial Court and Doctor Guanglu. Then I ask you, whose court does this belong to?"
Zhao Liangsi looked at Huizong Zhao Ji in surprise.
Zhao Ji said angrily: "Although I can promote you to Secretary Cheng and Doctor Guanglu, I can also revoke all your positions! From today on, all your official positions, except for maintaining the editor's treatment of Youwen Palace, will be revoked, and You are not allowed to live in the capital!"
Zhao Ji was thinking about where to demote and punish Zhao Liangsi. Zhao Ji thought for a while and then said: "I hope you will live in Yongxing, and you will not be allowed to enter the capital without an edict!"
Zhao Liangsi cried and kowtowed: "I thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."
Emperor Huizong stood up and walked away.
Zhao Liangsi also left the palace sadly, packed up his bags overnight, and took his family to Yongxing, Hunan.
