Others didn't know how Zhou Wei defeated the Xiongnu, but Zhao Feng knew this very well.
After returning home, Zhao Feng immediately wrote a memorial.
Every autumn, the Huns would go south to plunder. This is because every autumn, the resources on the grasslands are not so abundant. In order to survive, the Huns would choose to plunder some villages.
This time the Xiongnu also used their old tricks, but unexpectedly, they were defeated by the 100,000 troops led by Zhou Wei. Not only did they not get any benefits, but they were beaten directly back to the grassland.
However, Zhou Wei only drove these Xiongnu cavalry back, and did not even recapture the previously lost city.
Although the Zhou Dynasty and the Huns had already negotiated peace, and both sides had opened their border markets, both sides were very wary of each other, and their relationship could fall into tension at any time.
Because of this, those officials believed that Zhou Wei pushed back the Xiongnu cavalry and killed the Xiongnu's spirit, so that the Xiongnu no longer dared to go south to plunder at will.
It's a pity that Zhao Feng has already told Zhou Zhen about this matter, and now it's time to wrap things up.
Zhou Wei had returned to the capital a long time ago, but his reward had never been received. Many officials who supported him wanted to make a big fuss out of this incident, calling Zhou Wei the God of War of the Great Zhou Dynasty. , in order to establish the position of the second prince Zhou Wei as the crown prince.
Zhao Feng wrote a memorial and handed it in, and then stopped caring about the matter. He knew that Zhou Zhen would definitely handle it.
After staying in the capital for a few days, Zhou Tong also showed off to the sisters in the capital. At the same time, under Zhou Tong's hard work, Zhou Zhen finally agreed to let Zhou Tong open a cement factory on his own. , and agreed to let Zhou Tong build the road.
The matters that came to the capital this time have basically been taken care of, and Zhao Feng plans to follow Zhou Tong and continue to return to the fiefdom for development.
Zhou Zhen has given Zhao Feng the last six months. If he cannot make the idea of reform deeply rooted in the hearts of the people within this six months, then Zhao Feng may not be able to gain any benefits from returning to the court in half a year.
Zhou Tong and Zhao Feng returned to the fiefdom in a carriage. Just when Zhao Feng left, something happened in the court that shocked all the officials.
The cause of the matter was that in the early morning, many ministers had gone to the court to praise Zhou Wei's achievements, but Zhou Zhen never gave a clear answer. This time they finally couldn't help it.
"Your Majesty, the second prince Zhou Wei defeated the Xiongnu this time. He not only thwarted the Xiongnu's raids southward, but also killed the Xiongnu's spirit. He should be well commended!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, if it weren't for the Second Prince, I'm afraid that this time the Xiongnu attacked me towards the north, which would have caused the displacement of many people. This is real military merit and should be well rewarded!"
After hearing the words of these officials, Zhou Zhen suddenly sneered and said directly.
"Do you really think he was responsible this time?"
The officials were slightly stunned. Zhou Zhen had not dealt with this matter in the past few days, which made them think that Zhou Zhen was planning to test Zhou Wei again. However, they did not expect that Zhou Zhen suddenly said this.
"Your Majesty, it is clearly the Second Prince's credit for defeating the Huns this time. Can this credit be taken away by others?"
Even Prime Minister Feng Shen couldn't help but frown slightly and looked at Zhou Zhen with some confusion.
Zhou Zhen laughed and took out two memorials.
"I originally didn't plan to deal with this matter because I wanted to save face for you, but since you keep saying this, let you take a closer look at who is responsible for defeating the Xiongnu this time!"
After saying this, Zhou Zhen handed the first memorial directly to the eunuch next to him, and the eunuch opened it and recited.
"Your Majesty, the Li family, a salt-making family in Huaigu Fucheng, recently extracted a new salt from sea water. This salt looks the same as ordinary salt and also has a salty taste. However, after careful testing, it was found that This kind of salt has a chronic toxin, and after long-term consumption, the toxin will accumulate in the body, causing dizziness, dizziness, and even sudden death!"
"I personally believe that the Xiongnu in the north and our Zhou Dynasty are mortal enemies, and the Xiongnu live in the grasslands and have an extremely tight demand for edible salt. We can use this poisonous salt to disguise it as table salt and sell it to them."
"As a result, the Xiongnu's combat effectiveness will inevitably be reduced sharply, and then any one person can withstand the Xiongnu's invasion... Enter Zhao Feng from Zhongshushe, July 13th, the 23rd year of Shunde."
Upon hearing the contents of this memorial, the officials below all took a deep breath.
This year is the 24th year of Shunde. Unexpectedly, this memorial was written a year ago!
And judging from Zhou Zhen's intention, he obviously agreed with Zhao Feng's idea and sold the poisonous salt produced by the Li family to the Huns. This made the Huns soldiers completely unable to exert their previous combat effectiveness, and even many Huns He died suddenly from eating such poisonous salt.
Seeing the shocked expressions of the officials below, Zhou Zhen chuckled and took out the second memorial.
"Come on, keep reading!"
The eunuch next to him took the memorial and read it directly.
"I would like to inform your majesty that after one year, the combat effectiveness of the Xiongnu soldiers has been greatly reduced. It is obvious that the poisonous salt has taken effect. At this time, we should suppress this matter, paralyze the Xiongnu army, and wait until the poison continues to accumulate in their bodies. After that, defeat the Huns in one fell swoop!"
When the eunuch read this, Zhou Zhen raised his hand and looked at the officials below indifferently.
"Do you understand now? This matter is a trap that I and Zhao Feng from Zhongshushe have already set up!"
"The surrounding people did not know about this, but instead led troops to attack, causing heavy casualties to the Xiongnu. If the Xiongnu notices anything, then he will be a sinner for the ages. It's a shame that you still ask for credit for him!"
"I could have defeated the enemy without fighting, but now I have wasted this great opportunity, and it may even affect my plan!"
Having said this, Zhou Zhen threw down the two memorials angrily.
"Tell me now, how should I handle this matter?"
Some officials, headed by Prime Minister Feng Shen, turned pale. Feng Shen's face turned ashen, and his body shook uncontrollably. It felt like all this was a dream.
Originally, they thought that the second prince Liu Wei led troops to attack the Huns and drove them back, which should be a very good achievement. They also had an excuse to use this incident to establish the second prince Liu Wei's crown prince position, but they did not expect that it would be a very good achievement. It affected His Majesty's plan, which even lasted for a year and almost failed!
Where is the merit in this? There is obviously something wrong!
