On the other side of the Yellow River, dense crowds crowded on the ferry, with different hairstyles and clothing. The sergeants blocked the ferry to maintain order. The two sides seemed to be arguing and making noises. The sergeants shouted angrily, and it seemed that they were quite angry.
"Ma Zhong, you and Wang Jian go and see, who are those people?"
Zhao Hong frowned slightly.
How can peace be achieved when military-civilian relations are so tense?
"Your Majesty, these are the people who fled from Xixia. Since the Tatar army retreated, there has been an endless stream of Xixia people fleeing south. These poor people are all frightened!"
"Your Majesty, because we have to wait for Yu Jie and Cao Youwan's army to cross the river, idlers are not allowed to pass on the ferry. Therefore, it is normal for the people and the sergeants to have disputes."
Ma Zhong and Wang Jian came back to report soon, and Zhao Hong shook his head gently.
It is better to be a peace dog than to be a liar.
"Wang Jian, you are the commander of Lintao Road. You go to deliver the decree and let the people pass quickly. Tell them that when they enter the border of the Song Dynasty, they are the people of the Song Dynasty. They need to establish household registration and divide the land so that they can take root in the Song Dynasty. Bar."
Zhao Hong made a decision immediately.
The Lintao Road is vast and sparsely populated. Coupled with the devastation caused by the war, the population of the people is missing. These Xixia people are an effective supplement to the labor force.
"Lu Wende, you also stopped by to greet us. Why haven't Yu Jie and the others arrived yet?"
Cao Youwen saw Zhao Hong frowning slightly and looked at Lu Wende.
On a hot day, the emperor was asked to wait under the sun. How was the investigation ahead done?
"Your Majesty, let me go take a look. Are these guys lost?"
Lu Wende knew it well, so he quickly mounted his horse, and together with Wang Jian, he led the guards to ride away.
"Your Majesty, are you seeing the Jin's envoy outside Lanzhou City or not? The Jin's Fengxiang Road Soldiers and Horses Commander Guo Xiabao has thousands of troops stationed ten miles outside Lanzhou City. He seems to be ready to make a move."
Dong Songchen reported softly from the side.
When the Jin envoys came, they must have asked the Song army to retreat.
Thousands of troops? Guo Xiabao, the general manager of the Fengxiang Road troops?
Zhao Hong was slightly startled and couldn't help but sneer.
Thousands of soldiers and horses dare to invade the palace. Is this deceiving the Chinese people?
"Your Majesty, Lanzhou and Lintao Prefecture were taken back by the brothers from the Tatar army. What's the matter with the Guanjin people? Don't talk nonsense to them, they can be driven away!"
Lu Yuanting's ears were sharp and he immediately spoke out.
He is not afraid of the Tatar army, let alone these golden soldiers who have suffered heavy blood debts.
"Your Majesty, our army and the Tatar army are fighting fiercely under the city of Xinhuizhou. The Tatar army withdrew from the city, and this Guo toad didn't even dare to let go of an arrow. Now he brings thousands of remnants of the defeated army here, pretending to be a ghost. Is he mentally ill? ?”
Cao Erxiong said bitterly.
"Your Majesty, General Cao is right. The hands of these golden soldiers are stained with the blood of our soldiers and civilians in the Song Dynasty. I take orders to deal with them, and I will never let your Majesty down!"
Ma Zhong stepped forward to accept the order, eager to give it a try.
He is a general of the northwest frontier army. He has fought with the Jin soldiers for many years and has a bloody feud. Moreover, for generals like him who have experienced defeats, regaining their military exploits is the best way to wash away their shame.
"There is no need. It has not reached the point where the two countries are at war."
Zhao Hong shook his head slightly and rejected the soldiers' request for orders.
War is a continuation of politics, but it serves politics. The Mongolian army is at the edge of collapse, and the Jin people will not easily start a war.
Otherwise, they would not send envoys here and just start fighting directly.
"Let's arrange for them to stay first, and wait until I get back the soldiers who went to Xixia. All the territory occupied by the Jin people today is my hometown of the Song Dynasty. What happened to taking back a city and a half? Isn't Guo Xia Tou called the Jin Dynasty? Is he the best archer in the country? When he comes, we will see who is more powerful with his bows and arrows or with our artillery."
Zhao Hong glanced at the generals and asked loudly:
"Sirs, you are not afraid of the Tatar army. Are you still afraid of the Jin people?"
"Don't be afraid!"
The generals said loudly together.
"Lintao Road and the land of Lanzhou are both my hometown of the Song Dynasty. We stand on it, upright and with a clear conscience. You all remember that we must take back what we have lost with our own hands. Whoever dares to snatch it, then take it Life is in exchange!”
Hearing Zhao Hong's words, all the generals and ministers were excited and shouted out one after another.
"I will obey His Majesty's teachings!"
"What your Majesty said is absolutely true!"
Zhao Hong nodded, feeling inspired by the enthusiasm of the troops.
"Long live your Majesty!"
"Long live the Emperor of the Song Dynasty!"
When the people of Xixia crossed the river, they knelt on the bank and kowtowed.
People in troubled times are inferior to dogs. It is unimaginable that they can be taken in by the emperor of the Song Dynasty, and they have to establish a nationality and divide their fields.
"Folks, get up! The government will give porridge in Lanzhou City, Lintao Prefecture and other places, allocate land to everyone, and provide housing. Everyone obey the government's arrangements and live a good life! If you have any problems, just ask the local government, they will help You solve it!"
Zhao Hong shouted loudly, facing Wang Wen, the magistrate of Lanzhou on the side, and said seriously.
"Wang Wen, these people will be left to you. Be sure to settle them well. If there are too many refugees, evacuate south to Lintao Mansion so that Cheng Yuanfeng can comfort them. Remember, no one will starve to death and no one will die of illness. This is also your case As an assessment of the magistrate of Lanzhou."
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I will definitely settle the refugees and no one will starve to death or die of illness!"
After Wang Wen finished speaking, he left, led the sergeant forward, and greeted the cheering refugees to leave.
"Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it. Your Majesty loves the people like a son, and he can be the first sage king in the history! When I arrive in Hexi, I will follow your Majesty's example, dedicate myself to the country and the people, and be a good official."
Fan Zhong complimented Zhao Hong sincerely.
"Fan Zhong, you've learned too much. Now that you've become naughty, you can flatter others with a glib tongue."
Zhao Hong laughed, then nodded, put away the smile on his face, and looked serious.
"The land west of Hexi, the west gate of the Song Dynasty, I will leave it to you."
Just as Zhao Hong was about to give some more instructions, Cao Youwen pointed to the north and shouted.
"Your Majesty, this is the flag of our Song Dynasty! Yu Jie and the others are back!"
Zhao Hong's heart moved and he shouted loudly:
"Go down with the order and form a formation to greet us!"
With the sound of horse hooves, countless Song Army cavalry came from the north. They crossed the pontoon bridge built by ships and gathered in formation on the south bank of the Yellow River. Almost everyone's armor was broken and their faces were covered with weather.
Zhao Hong's horse moved forward slowly, and all the Song soldiers dismounted together. Everyone knelt on one knee and saluted with clasped fists.
"See Your Majesty!"
Zhao Hong looked at the soldiers who were scarred and worn by the weather. Ten thousand warriors, only just over 6,000 had returned, and there were many wounded. Needless to say, those four thousand Song Dynasty warriors died in a foreign land.
"All the soldiers are safe!"
Zhao Hong faced the solemn troops and shouted loudly.
"All soldiers, bow to the warriors who have returned victoriously!"
Zhao Hong took the lead and bowed to the returning soldiers in front of him.
All the officers and officials bowed together to Yu Jie, Cao Youwan and others.
"Your Majesty, you can't do it! Everyone, you can't do it!"
Yu Jie and Cao Youwan were both shocked and fell to their knees, kowtowing repeatedly.
The emperor of the Song Dynasty had no customs in breaking festivals since ancient times.
"Soldiers and heroes, thank you for your hard work! Welcome home!"
Zhao Hong stepped forward, holding the arms of Yu Jie and Cao Youwan, one on the left and the other on the right, and shouted loudly to the soldiers who were sent to Xixia.
"Brothers, let's go and follow me back to the city. I have ordered a banquet to be held to reward the six armies. I want to toast you personally!"
Yu Jie and Cao You had no choice but to get up and follow closely. Yu Jie's face turned red and she was a little embarrassed.
"Your Majesty, it was Cao Youwan who led his brothers to charge into battle in Lingzhou, and the general did nothing!"
Cao Youwan hurriedly said humbly: "Your Majesty, I am only following orders! If Your Majesty had not sent troops to rescue, the general would have died in Lingzhou long ago."
"Yu Jie, you can make the Xia Lord surrender without opening the city. This is already a great achievement. Ten thousand soldiers go out to fight. This is your common glory, regardless of each other. When it comes to rescue, you are my soldiers of the Song Dynasty. How can I Can I abandon you? If that were the case, wouldn’t I become a ruthless villain, and how could I have the dignity to live in this world?”
Zhao Hongyi spoke righteously, and all the generals who followed him were enthusiastic and smiling.
The emperor was fair and righteous, and loved his soldiers as sons. The bitterness of Xixia's defense had long since disappeared.
Zhao Hong led the generals onto their horses and waved his sleeves, showing his domineering attitude.
"Soldiers, follow me back to the city. Let's drink hard and get drunk before we stop!"
"Get drunk and you'll be done with it!"
"Get drunk and you'll be done with it!"
All the generals laughed, mounted their horses and followed the emperor.
Cao Youwen patted his brother on the shoulder. He was much thinner and stronger than when he left.
Looking at the back, the soldiers who returned and greeted them all hugged each other and cried bitterly. There were many people with tears on their faces, which was sad.
"Cao Youwan, you are much darker! You look older than your eldest brother! But you have a lot of energy!"
"Zhang Zhongxia, it's time to shave your beard! Otherwise, you will become Zhang Fei of the Three Kingdoms!"
"Yang Daquan, your face is stained! But you are even more stylish!"
Zhao Hong and the other generals beat their horses to move slowly, while Dahun laughed and said "but" constantly. He looked at Yu Jie and hesitated.
"Yu Jie, is there nothing unusual over there in Xixia?"
"Your Majesty, Emperor Xia was relieved when he heard that the Tatar army had retreated. It seems that he was not as overjoyed as I imagined. However, Xixia will send an envoy to come later to express his gratitude to Your Majesty for the rescue."
Yu Jie understood it and spoke cautiously.
"Emperor Xia is also a smart man!"
Zhao Hong sighed and smiled at the confused Yu Jie.
"Yu Jie, the army has returned. After the banquet, go back and see your family!"
Zhao Hong and the generals were chatting and laughing, and Fan Zhong, who was following behind, sighed sincerely.
"Your Majesty loves the soldiers generously and is frank, but he has won the hearts of the six armies!"
The emperor treated the soldiers on the expedition so favorably, and the morale of the six armies was greatly boosted. If foreign enemies dare to invade the border again, they will suffer a lot.
If you think about it carefully, the Mongolian cavalry doesn't seem so scary.
"Does Xianggong Fan know why His Majesty transferred Shi Songzhi, Gao Jia, and Cui Shusi to Hexi?"
Guo Zhengsun, the pacifier of Lizhou West Road, chuckled, making Fan Zhong stunned.
"Mr. Guo, please enlighten me."
"Shi Songzhi is from a Siming family and is the nephew of Shi Miyuan. The Shi family has declined, and people are panicked. Gao Jia, the magistrate of Mianzhou, and his family are all important officials in the court. The Gao family is a prominent family in Sichuan and has great power; Uncle Cui seems to be Cui Yu's son mastered Sichuan's system of driving and writing; the official's move shows both kindness and power, what an emperor's heart!"
Guo Zhengsun whispered and said it leisurely.
"Ms. Guo, you...I think highly of you."
Fan Zhong smiled lightly, thought for a moment, and then answered.
"Fan Xianggong, what do you mean?"
Guo Zhengsun's face couldn't help but blush.
"Your Majesty has great talents and great strategies. All the kings in my dynasty, even Taizu Taizong, are far inferior to him. Who can stop him from doing what he wants to do?"
Fan Zhong looked at Zhao Hong's back in front of him, seemingly chatting happily with the generals.
"If Your Majesty were to guard against these people, they could be smashed to pieces for just one crime. Why let them come to Hexi to govern? Let them come to Hexi because talents are rare. Your Majesty thinks they are very useful. They can benefit the people's livelihood and help Hexi recover as soon as possible. . Xianggong Guo, you are an official, you should do more, the Song Dynasty will expand its territory, and your majesty will definitely use you."
Fan Zhong spoke with sincerity and sincerity, and Guo Zhengsun bowed and returned the courtesy, which was unusually solemn.
"Thank you Mr. Fan for the tip!"
With Zhao Hong being the supreme leader of the Song Dynasty and his prestige at this time, it seems that there is no need to do anything extra, let alone such deliberate efforts to weigh the power of the officials.
Could it be that he had really misjudged the current Holy Emperor?
