Since the first year of Xingqing, the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture School and the Song Dynasty Naval Academy were established to organize and train new armies. Although there is nothing visible in the court, the martial arts trend among the people has begun to take shape and become more and more intense.
The reason for the intensification is that although the upper echelon of the Song Dynasty court was weak and lacked blood, it inherited the Tang and Five Dynasties. There were many side events, and the martial arts among the people never disappeared. This is also the reason why the Western Army, the Yuejia Army, etc. can fight with the Liao and Jin cavalry in the field.
But it was precisely because of the lack of vitality among the upper class of the Song Dynasty that Zhao Hong wanted to go to Shukou, and there was an undercurrent of opposition between the DPRK and China.
During the Southern Song Dynasty's successive Northern Expeditions to the Central Plains, the lost territory was restored in a grand manner. Many officials in the court were panic-stricken.
Zhao Hong was about to lead a personal expedition and mobilize troops against the invincible Mongolian cavalry. This frightened the scholar-bureaucrats of the Zhuhe faction, and they collaborated openly and secretly to stop the Song emperor's wanton behavior.
If they win, the officials will gain nothing; if they lose, their interests will most likely be harmed. The Song Dynasty had traveled south for hundreds of years, and their altars and pots were all in the southeast. It was an empty and bleak land in the Central Plains with no sense of belonging, and they had no interest in it.
The most important thing is that the risks are huge, what are the benefits?
The pomegranate branches are graceful, the pomegranate fruit is numerous, the pomegranate membrane is light and bright, and the pomegranate seeds are fresh.
The green peach tree in Yaochi is enviable, with green peach cheeks lasting a thousand years.
On New Year's Eve, in the winter morning, Zhao Hong was reading the memorial in the imperial study. On the table in front of him was a plate of pomegranates. The red beads were dazzling, plump and round, eye-catching and mouth-watering.
The storage technology of this era seems not to be underestimated.
Yu Jie and Cao Youwan led their troops to Xixia. There was no fighting in the northwest Jin Dynasty for the time being. From this, it can be estimated that the Mongolian army should be attacking Lingzhou.
Yu Jie and Cao Youwan fought bloody battles in a foreign land in the ice and snow, risking their lives. He stayed in Lin'an City and had pomegranates to eat and tea to drink, which was warm and comfortable. This made him emotional and often uneasy.
The generals and soldiers are half dead in front of them, but the beauties are still singing and dancing under their tents. Yu Jie, Cao Youwan and others are not like this, and we do not have such conditions. He will not sing and dance in Lin'an City, so he will not feel at ease.
"Your Majesty, this is a memorial from Cui Yu, the envoy of Sichuan, and Fan Zhong, the commander-in-chief of Sichuan."
Prime Minister Xue Ji and Minister of War Xuan Zhen came in and presented several memorials.
"Your Majesty, although we are well prepared when we use troops against the Tatars, the Tatars are powerful. Once the troops are launched and swords are fired, the mountains and rivers will be in turmoil, and there will be endless troubles. Your Majesty, think twice."
Seeing Zhao Hong frowning, thinking that Zhao Hong was worried about side affairs, Xue Daji boldly advised him.
Just sending troops into Xia was already criticized by others. If there was another direct conflict with the Mongolian army, it would inevitably be criticized by the courtiers.
"Xuanqing, you are the Minister of War. Do you also have doubts about my use of troops against the Tartars?"
Zhao Hong raised his head and looked at his minister.
Shi Miyuan's children and relatives, Xuan Zhen has been considered a practical official since he ascended the throne, assisting Xue Ji in handling military and political affairs, training new troops and dispatching officials, so his performance is acceptable.
"Your Majesty, the Tatar invasion of Xia is overwhelming, and the Xia Kingdom will be destroyed in a matter of seconds. As I see it, Xia Jin will definitely be destroyed by the Tatars. Be prepared for danger in times of peace, as the Tatars will become a serious problem for our Song Dynasty in the future. But... …”
Xuan Zhen paused for a moment, then said bravely:
"Your Majesty, please be prepared for a rainy day, and I hope that your Majesty will follow your lead. However, the officials in the court are following the old ways, and most of them are peacemakers. If your Majesty wants to use troops against the Tatars, I am afraid that you will arouse criticism from the whole court and face a lot of resistance."
Full of criticism and resistance?
It seems that most of the officials in the court are opposed to his use of troops abroad.
"Your Majesty, the Xixia Dynasty is in danger. Your Majesty does not need to send troops outside the wall. You only need to tighten the fence to protect yourself. In this way, the courtiers will not be restricted."
Zhao Hong glanced at Xue Ji, who also gave him some advice.
"Two gentlemen, I will say it again. I am deploying troops at the border fortress at the entrance of Shu. I am just taking precautions before it happens. I will not send troops easily. If the Tatars invade our Song Dynasty, I will not be able to capture them without mercy. If the robbers come, I will never do it. Be a turtle!"
The two ministers in power seem to be sensible people and do not want to be ostriches with their heads buried in the sand. Compared with those officials who only talk about their character, they have some merits.
It seemed that he was a little rash in sending troops to reinforce Xixia, which gave his opponents an excuse to attack him, and he also underestimated the determination of these people.
"I know, I (veteran) obey the order."
Xuan Zhen and Xue Ji nodded and bowed, both helpless.
Needless to say, the emperor was determined to deploy defenses in the northwest. I don’t know if it’s for external use of troops, but I won’t show weakness anyway.
"Xuanqing, Cui Yuyu's memorial said that the troops in Chengdu Camp and Lizhou Camp were well trained, and I am very relieved. Do you think I should send a capable minister there to see the effect of the training?"
Zhao Hong looked at Xuan Zhen and muttered secretly in his heart. Xuan Zhen seemed to have something on his mind, but he didn't know what it was.
"Your Majesty, I can leave immediately and go to Sichuan on your behalf to share your worries."
Xuan Zhen was startled and immediately spoke out.
"There's no need to worry. Today is New Year's Eve. Let's celebrate the holiday well first and then go after the Lantern Festival."
With Cui Yu and Fan Zhong in charge, and the officers from the martial arts hall responsible for training the new army, why should I have to do everything personally?
Since Cao Youwen, Lu Wende and others have been appointed to rectify the border army, let them do the work.
"Xue Xiang, I heard that the implementation of the new policy on the two Zhejiang Roads is not going well."
Zhao Hong's eyes turned to Xue Ji, who looked sad.
This veteran prime minister, like Xuan Zhen, the Privy Councilor at that time, behaved submissively and seemed to have something on his mind, which made him very strange.
Who among the dignified ministers of the Song Dynasty could make them uneasy?
"Your Majesty, although the implementation of the new policy on the Two-Zhejiang Road is slow, it is still in an orderly manner. The obstacles in Lin'an Prefecture, Shaoxing Prefecture and Pingjiang Prefecture have been cleared, and the next step will be much faster. It is estimated that it will be fully implemented by next summer."
Xue Ji's words made Zhao Hong nodded slightly.
This year is his second year after taking the throne. The four roads implementing the New Deal are Liangzhe Road, Jiangnan West Road, and Sichuan Road. With the experience of implementing the New Deal on Jiangnan East Road, although these roads are still full of difficulties, they are all carried out in an orderly manner under pressure.
Among the four roads, Sichuan Road implemented the New Deal the fastest. By the year before, it would have been basically completed. Jiangnan West Road follows closely behind, and most of it should be completed within this year.
Because Liangzhe Road is the seat of Lin'an Prefecture, there are many officials, so the implementation of the New Deal was much slower. Even under the iron-fisted rule of Gao Dingzi, supported by Zhao Hong, and undercover inspections by the Anti-Corruption Department, there are still many obstacles, and until now, less than half of it has been implemented.
"Xue Qing, Xuan Qing, we, the Song Dynasty, are implementing the New Deal, and you two have coordinated and coordinated the efforts. You have done the most great work and can serve as role models for us. This is some tea, wine, money, and silk, which is my heartfelt wish."
Zhao Hong looked at the two of them and said sincerely.
Gao Dingzi implemented the New Deal in Liangzhe Road and made drastic measures. Xue Ji and Xuan Zhen were both wealthy people in Liangzhe Road. When Liangzhe Road implemented the New Deal, these two were the first to report the acres of land and pay taxes, which attracted many officials and rural officials to follow suit. .
In contrast, the ministers of the two Zhejiang and Zhejiang roads in the DPRK, in addition to resisting and resisting, just pretended to be deaf and dumb, and tried every means to get through. This was beyond Zhao Hong's expectation and what he expected.
Several other groups in the Song Dynasty implemented the New Deal. Xue Ji and Xuan Zhen allocated funds and assigned officials, and the government affairs were in order, which also made him worry a lot.
"Your Majesty, the two Zhejiang roads are at the feet of the emperor, and there are many important officials in the imperial court. To take away the interests of these people is to cut off their flesh. Your Majesty is sitting in the center, and the ministers are just doing things."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace! I am deeply grateful!"
Xue Ji and Xuan Zhen pretended to smile, but their hearts felt much quieter.
With the emperor's support and the emperor being tough enough, their situation will be easier.
Now I hope that the emperor can continue to be tough, and there is no need to make peace, let alone kill the donkey.
"Your Majesty, Director Zhou and Deputy Director Xu are outside asking for an audience."
Dong Songchen's voice sounded, and Xuan Zhen and Xue Ji quickly resigned and left with the imperial army holding the reward.
Zhao Hong looked at the leaving figures of the two ruling ministers with a faint look in his eyes.
