Zhao Rui was also thinking silently in his heart.
From the promotion of Du Gangfeng last year to now, the court has investigated and punished many corrupt officials. Although there were some who jumped over the wall to resist during the investigation, the imperial court was strong and suppressed them easily.
Many corrupt officials were eliminated, official positions in the DPRK and Central Government were vacant, and many officials were promoted to work.
Although the cadre is in chaos, there is still no shortage of talents.
A lot of corrupt officials were dealt with, and the people promoted were capable and respectful. The atmosphere of the court changed drastically, and it became prosperous.
Shen Yuanqing manages the household department, constantly increasing revenue and reducing expenditure, and the household department also has sufficient money and food. In particular, the continuous anti-corruption campaign killed countless high-ranking officials and nobles, confiscated their money and food, and continuously increased the amount of gold coins, so the national treasury was abundant.
It is appropriate to start a war now.
Zhao Shan made an instant decision and said: "Come here, notify Zhuge Shang, Du Gangfeng, and Shen Yuanqing to discuss the matter."
The eunuch went to deliver the order, and not long after, Zhuge Shang, Du Gangfeng and Shen Yuanqing came together.
The three of them entered hand in hand and saw Fang Weihu sitting in the hall. They all had guesses in their minds. After bowing, they each took their seats.
Zhao Shan did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "Fang Qing suggested starting a war with Jingzhou and capturing Zhao Rui in Jingzhou in advance. You are all important officials of the imperial court. Tell us your opinions. What do you think?"
Zhuge Shang said without hesitation: "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. Naturally, he must unify the cadres and prevent local separatism from happening again. This is why it is very reasonable to attack Zhao Rui and regain Jingzhou now."
Du Gangfeng said without hesitation: "Your Majesty, with the continuous anti-corruption campaign of Yushitai, the anti-corruption campaign in the Guanzhong area can be temporarily brought to an end because there are fewer major problems. Next, the scope can be expanded, such as Jingzhou to be dealt with. Therefore, I suggest that we attack Jingzhou.”
Shen Yuanqing has been transferred to the position of Minister of Household Affairs.
The former Minister of the Ministry of Revenue directly became an official for retirement, and the Ministry of Revenue is now Shen Yuanqing's arbiter.
Shen Yuanqing's many business methods have also been put to use, and the household department is now constantly making money and becoming more and more substantial.
Shen Yuanqing said: "Your Majesty, the court's food, grass and money are sufficient, which can fully support the war. In addition, I have many ideas about the court's money and food in the future, and it is necessary to unify all regions. Therefore, attacking Jingzhou is an urgent matter."
Zhao Shan saw that all the important ministers under his command unanimously agreed to go to war, so they stopped discussing it.
When the hearts of the people are united, the time is ripe.
To fight and do things, we need people's hearts. If people's hearts are not unified and each has his or her own agenda, nothing can be accomplished, whether it is external expansion or self-defense.
Zhao Shan looked at Fang Weihu and said, "Fang Qing, tell me about the attack on Jingzhou. If you go south to Jingzhou via Nanyang, you must attack Nanyang's Eighteen Villages. These are bandits supported by Zhao Rui. How should we deal with them?"
Fang Weihu replied: "Your Majesty, with the information sent by Su Wei, it is not difficult to attack the Eighteen Villages of Nanyang. The key to the Eighteen Villages of Nanyang is that the eighteen bandit villages are dotted around and can rush to each other's aid at any time."
"I have researched with the people below and found that the people who are truly loyal to Zhao Rui are the Lushan bandits from Luyang County in the north of Nanyang County. The bandit Ye Yunfei is an old member of Zhao Rui's Prince Chu Palace."
"Ye Yunlong is entrenched on Mount Lu, with a large number of troops, as many as more than 10,000. He is the leader of the Eighteen Villages in Nanyang."
"The number of bandits in other places ranges from one or two thousand to five or six thousand."
"We go south and defeat the Lushan bandit Ye Yunfei in one battle. Then it will be easy to invade Nanyang. In addition, I suggest that we arrange for people to sneak into Nanyang and recruit bandits and officials from all over the country. Anyone who is willing to surrender to the imperial court can forget about it."
Fang Weihu said: "Especially since last year, I have investigated Nanyang Governor Deng Li. This person is from a wealthy family in Nanyang. Although Deng Li is Zhao Rui's subordinate, he can instigate rebellion."
Zhao Shan asked: "How is Deng Li, the man who instigated rebellion by Fang Qing, like?"
Fang Weihu replied: "Deng Li is greedy for money, and the Deng family is a wealthy family in Nanyang. Just so, considering the interests of the Deng family, Deng Li can be recruited to surrender. In addition, Deng Li's ability to govern and fight is mediocre, and Better to recruit.”
"No need to instigate rebellion!"
Zhao Shan answered decisively.
Fang Weihu frowned slightly and replied: "If we don't instigate Deng Li to rebel, we will spend more power when attacking Nanyang."
Zhao Shan flashed a light in the dark and said in a deep voice: "After instigating Deng Li's rebellion, you can't kill him at will. Killing him will mean that the court has not kept its word. If word spreads, no one will be willing to submit."
"Especially recruiting such a greedy and incompetent person will only increase the burden on the court."
"To conquer Nanyang, we not only need to regain the land, but also to sweep away the evil spirits and ghosts in Nanyang County like a plow and sweep away holes. These useless officials and corrupt officials must be dealt with to restore a bright future to Nanyang."
"Otherwise, if we surrender now and take back Nanyang County in the future, the place will not belong to us, and there will be many problems."
Zhao Shan had a strong look on his face and said: "I would rather spend more effort now than leave all this dirt. In fact, the army captured the Lushan bandit Ye Yunfei, and the army killed them with overwhelming force, enough to sweep them across."
Fang Weihu said: "Your Majesty is wise!"
Zhao Shan ordered: "This time we go to war with Zhao Rui, Zhuge Qing will still stay behind and take charge of government affairs. Shen Qing's household department must fully cooperate and supply money and food. Du Qing's Yushitai officials must be prepared to station in Jingzhou and conduct an inventory of the place. , and then choose virtuous people to govern and guard. Fang Qing will go south with me. In this battle, Wei Fengqing’s 30,000 Luoyang garrison and Zhou Huhou’s 3,000 Xuanjia army will be mobilized to participate in the battle."
"I accept the decree!"
Zhuge Shang, Du Gangfeng, Shen Yuanqing and Fang Weihu all responded.
Everyone went to deliver the order. Zhao Shan first went to Cao Mengchan's palace in the harem and told them about the campaign against Jingzhou.
In the evening, he stayed in Cao Mengchan's palace again.
The next morning, Zhao Shan went to Jiang Yuhuang's palace to comfort Jiang Yuhuang. Zhao Shan had promised Jiang Yuhuang before that he would let her join the war after Jiang Yuhuang gave birth to a child.
Now that the war is ahead of schedule, everything has been adjusted.
Zhao Shan comforted many female relatives in the harem, and thinking about Zhao Ce, he called Zhao Ce over and asked: "Cer, how do you feel about studying in the Imperial College now?"
Zhao Ce replied: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I am studying very well in the Imperial College. There are many classmates and many knowledgeable teachers. Great scholars like Mr. Cao Tong are giving lectures, and I like it very much."
Zhao Shan chuckled and said, "Just get used to it. You have to study hard and study hard. I will attack the King of Chu Zhao Rui next. Do you want to follow me to see the situation on the battlefield? We are still preparing food and troops. Tomorrow morning Before that, you give me an answer."
Zhao Ce wanted to reply immediately that he was willing to go.
His mother-in-law Xiao Shuyu always told him that reading thousands of books would travel thousands of miles, so he was willing to go south. But he thought about it and decided to go back and tell his mother-in-law and listen to her opinion.
Zhao Ce agreed to Zhao Shan's instructions and went back to the palace directly. When he saw Xiao Shuyu, he saluted and said: "Mother Concubine."
Xiao Shuyu looked serious and said in a deep voice: "You have been studying in the Imperial College, why are you back so early today?"
Zhao Ce explained: "Concubine, it is your Majesty's arrangement. Your Majesty is going to attack Zhao Rui, King of Chu, and asked my son if he is willing to follow to broaden his horizons. The son came back to ask my concubine and listen to my opinion."
An unprecedented brilliance appeared in Xiao Shuyu's eyes.
This is an opportunity!
She didn't think that Zhao Shan would harm Zhao Ce in this way. Now it would be an eye-opener for Zhao Ce to go to the local area to see the battlefield.
This is an opportunity for experience.
Xiao Shuyu was full of approval and asked, "What do Ce'er think?"
Zhao Ce said: "My son wants to go with your majesty to have a look. My mother and concubine have been educating my son, so I can't become a waste raised in the palace. Therefore, my son must see more and have more experience in order to become a useful person."
"My son has grown up."
A bright smile appeared on Xiao Shuyu's face, and she nodded and said: "Do what you want, my mother-in-law supports you. You can reply to His Majesty, and then go to the Imperial College to study."
"Before going on an expedition, you must study when you should be studying. You must be able to calm down. Don't delay studying because you have something to do and become distracted. Even if you go out with His Majesty, you must study and never let go of the book."
"In addition, you should write a diary of what you saw and heard when you went out, and give it to your mother and concubine for review after you return to Luoyang."
Xiao Shuyu said: "When you go out, it's not about relaxing, but about getting more experience."
"My son, take your orders!"
Zhao Ce happily agreed, turned around and left as if flying, and went to see Zhao Shan again.
Xiao Shuyu felt happy thinking about Zhao Shan's promise to train Zhao Ce. She waited for Zhao Ce to leave for a long time. Near noon, she specially arranged for someone to go to the palace to meet him and invite Zhao Shan to the palace.
The news was sent to Zhao Shan, who had already received Zhao Ce's reply.
Zhao Shanben wanted to reject Xiao Shuyu.
This woman is very smart and has a different kind of charm. However, in Zhao Shan's mind, Xiao Shuyu's cool yet fiery face appeared. Thinking that he could not sway the beauty's kindness, he got up and headed towards Xiao Shuyu's palace.
