On the streets of Bianjing City, damaged buildings and pavilions are being repaired and maintained everywhere. Not long ago, the Jin invaded, causing chaos in the city and damaging many buildings.
Yan Qing and Wang Jin came to Zhang Shuye's mansion while talking and laughing.
Zhang Shuye's mansion is still majestic, with several government officials on duty at the door. Yan Qing stepped forward, clasped his hands in his fists, bent down and bowed, and said loudly: "Several officials, please inform us that Yan Qing and Yan Xiaoyi are paying homage to Mr. Zhang Fumu."
The Yamen servant glanced at Yan Qing and Wang Jin and replied: "Two guests, Zhang Fumu has gone to Dengzhou to take up a post and is not here." Yan Qing was shocked when he heard this and asked hurriedly: "What happened to Mr. Fumu?" Go to Dengzhou to take up a post?" The Yamen officials then told Yan Qing and Wang Jin the situation of Zhang Shuye being demoted from the capital by the imperial court and going to Dengzhou to serve as the magistrate of Dengzhou and in charge of all affairs in the south. Yan Qing and Wang Jin were silent.
Yan Qing and Wang Jin left Zhang Shuye's mansion. Yan Qing said: "Brother, Mr. Zhang is a loyal person. Now is the time when the imperial court employs people. It may not be a good thing for Mr. Zhang to be demoted from the capital." Wang Jin said: "How can we understand the affairs of the imperial court? That's right. Mr. Zhang was demoted from the capital, so let's go visit Mr. Li to see what's going on." Yan Qing said: "That's right."
The two of them hurried to Li Gang's mansion.
From time to time there were sergeants passing by in formation on the street.
When the two came to Li Gang's residence, they saw a plaque hanging in the middle of the gatehouse that had changed to "Yuan Mansion".
Yan Qing came to Li Gang's residence. Not long ago, Li Gang was appointed as the defense envoy of Tokyo. Yan Qing was a vanguard under Li Gang and had visited Li Gang's residence several times. Yan Qing looked up at the "Yuan Mansion" plaque hanging high and felt very puzzled. Isn't this the residence of General Manager Li? Why did it become "Yuan Mansion"? Have you gone to the wrong place?
Yan Qing looked around, yes, this is the residence of General Manager Li, there is no mistake.
Yan Qing and Wang Jin murmured. The yamen servant in front of the mansion shouted: "The government is an important place, and idlers should stay away." Wang Jin whispered: "Xiao Yi, let us stay away from that guy!" Yan Qing said, "I'll go ask him." Yan Qing raised his foot and walked towards him. Go to the mansion door. On the steps of the mansion gate, the yamen servant raised the stick in his hand, pointed it at Yan Qing, and shouted: "Stop!" Yan Qing stopped, raised his hands, cupped his fists, bowed his hands, and asked: "Brother officer, let me ask, is this not Is Mr. Li in charge of Mr. Yuan's residence?" The Yamen servant replied: "Sir Li has gone to Yangzhou to take up a post, and this residence has been sold to Mr. Yuan, the imperial censor." Yan Qing nodded and said, "Excuse me."
Yan Qing turned around and came to Wang Jin.
Wang Jin said: "The situation has changed. Brother Xiaoyi, what should we do?" Yan Qing said: "Go back to the mountain and discuss it with Brother Guanzhong."
So Yan Qing and Wang Jin hurried back to Dayu Mountain.
Big changes had indeed taken place in the court. Li Gang and Zhang Shuye, who advocated the war against Jin, were demoted from the capital by the imperial court. Among the ministers who resolutely advocated the war, only a few ministers such as Qin Hui remained. However, the peace advocates such as Zhang Bangchang, Geng Nanzhong, and Tang Ke occupied important positions in the court, and they had great power. High position weight.
As Qin Zong, when faced with complex situations, he always oscillates between fighting and making peace.
After the Emperor returned to the palace, Qinzong knelt down in front of the Emperor and burst into tears. The emperor was also very sad, and the father and son had tears in their eyes. Qinzong asked the emperor for advice: "Father, sir. In the previous period, the Jin broke the alliance and invaded Bianjing. Although the army and the people fought hard and withdrew, they demanded caution and threatened to cede Taiyuan, Zhongshan and Hejian. Town. Gold and silk can be paid one after another, but Taiyuan, Zhongshan, and Hejian are the northern barriers. Once the three towns are lost, the court will be unable to resist the Jin invasion again. What do you think, Father?"
The Emperor lowered his head and said in a low voice: "My father is very responsible for this incident. I regret that I should not have listened to the words of Zhao Liangsi and Tong Guan and formed an alliance with the Jin people, which led to the Khitan's fall and the Song Dynasty being invaded. Now. For the plan, we should consult with the ministers of the DPRK and China and come up with a comprehensive plan. I wonder what the ministers of the DPRK and China think?"
Qin Zongdao: "Master Geng and others strongly advocated reconciliation with the Jin people and ceding the three towns of Taiyuan, Zhongshan and Hejian as soon as possible to avoid another war; Li Xuanfu, Zhang Zhifu and Qin Zhongcheng advocated being tough on the Jin people and refused to cede Taiyuan, Zhongshan and Hejian. The three towns in Hejian will also strengthen the military preparedness of Hebei to prevent the invasion of the Jin people."
The Taihuang said: "What do you think, the emperor?" Qinzong replied: "Taiyuan has been occupied by the Jin people, and Zhongshan and Hejian are still in the hands of the imperial court. Father, Zhongshan and Hejian are also the northern barriers. The emperor envoy I can't bear to cede to the Jin people, and I want to delay the change to see if there is a chance to reject the Jin people and protect our country of the Song Dynasty forever."
The emperor was silent.
Qinzong was frightened and looked at the emperor with expectation in his eyes. The Emperor was silent for a while and then said: "This matter is of great importance. Please discuss it with the ministers of the court and come up with a comprehensive plan." Emperor Qinzong and his son talked for a while. Qinzong saw that the Emperor looked tired and had no definite idea, so he left. He said: "Father, you are tired from driving and riding. Please rest early. Your Majesty will leave." The Taihuang nodded, and Qinzong left the palace.
On the second day, Emperor Qinzong ascended to the palace, and all civil and military officials stood in the hall.
Qin Zong said: "My lords, the Jin people left the country and left many things behind. The most urgent things are the compensation and silk promised by the court and the cession of the three towns. What should be done? All the lords can speak freely and share their opinions."
Geng Nanzhong was the first to go out and said: "Your Majesty. Judging from the current situation of the imperial court, the military strength is not as good as that of the Jin people. Moreover, the Jin people have occupied the important land of Yanyun. The imperial court has lost the northern barrier and does not have an advantage in the form of mountains and rivers. That's it. In this situation, I believe that peace is the most important thing, so I should raise funds from various sources, compensate the Jin people, and quickly cut off Zhongshan and Hejian to the Jin people, so as to avoid further troubles and endangering the country, the country, and the country."
"What nonsense!" Qin Hui came out of the train and said loudly: "Your Majesty, Taiyuan, Zhongshan and Hejian are the northern barriers of the imperial court and must not be lost. In my opinion, we should guard the two towns of Zhongshan and Hejian. Waiting for an opportunity to recapture Taiyuan to strengthen the northern border defense and resist the Jin invasion."
Qinzong nodded and said: "What Qin Zhongcheng said is very true. But what are the chances of the court winning?"
When Qin Hui was about to reply, Geng Nanzhong said loudly: "Your Majesty. The imperial court is currently short of financial resources and unable to fight any more. If it defends Zhongshan and Hejian and refuses to cede, it will only trigger a war between the Song and Jin Dynasties and endanger the imperial court, the country and the country. I think that , since we are not going to fight the Jin again, we should reduce the troops in the north and concentrate on consolidating the Central Plains and the northwest. As a last resort, we can retreat to the northwest and look for opportunities again. We must not act recklessly and cause big mistakes."
Geng Nanzhong was Qinzong's teacher. Qinzong didn't want to refute Geng Nazhong to gain face, so he didn't say anything.
Seeing that Qin Zong had not said anything, the lord and ministers of the court came out one after another to echo Geng Nanzhong's petition.
Qin Hui refused to accept and said loudly again: "Your Majesty, ceding Zhongshan and Hejian is a foolish strategy. Just imagine, if Zhongshan and Hejian are ceded, how can Bianjing be protected? If Bianjing is not repaid, how can the northwest be protected? Wait for Jin The people occupied Bianjing, and all the products in the Central Plains and the south belonged to the Jin people. What could the imperial court do to wait for an opportunity to rise again? I reported to the emperor that the two towns of Zhongshan and Hejian must not be ceded. In the current situation, the defense of the north should be strengthened. If it is reduced The result is that the northern soldiers will abandon their martial arts and openly open the door for the Jin people to go south, which is absolutely impossible!"
Geng Nanzhong turned to Qin Hui and said: "What Qin Zhongcheng said is absolutely true. The question is, if the Song and Jin Dynasties resume war and reignite the war, can the northern territory be defended? Qin Zhongcheng is not a military general, and he resorts to violence at every turn. If there is a war between the Song and Jin Dynasties in the future, will it be possible for Qin Zhongcheng to mention it? A powerful force galloping across the battlefield? It's easy to talk, but hard to do. Where will the funds come from to strengthen military preparations? Qin Zhongcheng had better not let empty talk ruin things."
Qin Hui angrily said: "In view of Taishi, is it better to hand over the country and the country to others?"
"What are you talking about?" Geng Nanzhong replied: "When did I say that I would hand over the country and the country to others? I just said that when the fighting power is not enough to resist the Jin people, don't take the initiative to stir up trouble, so as not to cause trouble."
Qin Hui said angrily: "A country cannot stand without defense. How can anyone in the world reduce the border defense force?"
Geng Nanzhong said: "Since there is no war and no preparation for war, why raise so many soldiers and waste national power?"
"If war breaks out again, where are the troops? How can we defend ourselves against the enemy?"
“If we don’t start a war, what’s the point of fighting?”
…
Qin Hui and Geng Nanzhong started to quarrel in the palace.
Behind Qin Hui stood more than 30 people including Li Ruoshui and Nie Chang; while behind Geng Nanzhong stood more than 70 ministers including Zhang Bangchang, Tang Ke, Deng Cheng, and Fan Zhongyi.
Firstly, Qinzong understood what the minister meant, but secondly, he didn't pay attention to it, so he waved his hand and said, "My lords, please don't argue."
Qin Hui and Geng Nanzhong stopped arguing and looked at Qin Zong together, waiting for Qin Zong's order.
Qin Zong said: "What you all said is true, and I shall weigh it comprehensively. As for war or peace, it is a long-term policy for the future and will be discussed later. The most urgent task is to raise funds and deliver the compensation funds promised to the Jinren. As for this The compensation funds can also be delayed. If the Jin people urge it, they will pay a little; if they don't urge it, they will not pay it for the time being. It will be used to stabilize Bianjing and restore economic development. What do you think?"
All the officials in the palace loudly replied: "Your Majesty is wise!"
Qinzong looked around and asked, "Do you still have any memorials to give?"
Geng Nanzhong said: "Your Majesty, when will the towns of Zhongshan and Hejian be delivered?"
Qin Zong of the two towns of Zhongshan and Hejian did not want to hand it over from the bottom of his heart. It was difficult to reply to Geng Nanzhong in the main hall, so he said: "This matter can be discussed later."
Geng Nanzhong said again: "Your Majesty, there is probably no room for maneuver on this matter. We should make a decision as soon as possible to avoid being overwhelmed. In my opinion, since the imperial court is waiting for discussion, the Jin man can't wait and will definitely come to the imperial court to urge him. .”
Qinzong thought for a while and said, "We'll talk about it then." Then he turned to look at the palace official. The bailiff shouted loudly: "The curtain is ebbing!"
Qinzong stood up and left the hall accompanied by palace officials.
Geng Nanzhong glared at Qin Hui, snorted, and turned back out of the palace. Geng Nanzhong was followed by a large group of ministers and walked out of the palace. Qin Hui stayed in the main hall and shook his head helplessly. Immediately, Qin Hui and some of the war ministers also left the palace.
