In the third year of Xingqing, in midsummer, Sichuan and Chengdu.
When I was walking around the west of Jincheng, I was as drunk as mud because of the plum blossoms.
The fragrance continues for twenty miles, from Qingyang Palace to Huanhua Stream.
More than a year has passed since the implementation of the New Deal in Sichuan in the second year of Xingqing. Sichuan's changes have become increasingly obvious. Most of the original dirt roads in the city have been replaced by bluestone roads and cement roads. Due to the demolition of "illegal" buildings on both sides of the city's streets, the central streets are wide enough for seven or eight carriages to travel, and the alleys and back streets are free of garbage and feces. Coupled with the construction of sewers, public toilets, and garbage bins, and the management of street traffic by street officials, the entire city of Chengdu became clean and tidy, with a new atmosphere.
Starting from the spring of the third year of Xingqing, despite the constant military presence on the frontier, the cities including Chengdu Fucheng, Kuizhou Fucheng, Tongchuan Fucheng, Xingyuan Fucheng, and Mianzhou City, as well as large cities such as Langzhong, Deyang, Chongqing, and Lizhou, were all The construction of transportation and water conservancy is in a hurry, and the prosperity seems to be far more prosperous than in the past.
Lintao Prefecture and Lanzhou were recovered, the Song army advanced into Hexi, and good news came one after another in the northwest, but the soldiers and people in Chengdu Prefecture, Sichuan, were ignorant. Even Cui Yu, the envoy of Sichuan, only knew that the emperor had personally marched to Shukou, perhaps fighting the Mongolian army.
The emperor personally led the expedition and left him to sit in the Lizhou camp. During the peace talks between Song and Meng, the emperor sent a decree, and Cui Yu returned to Chengdu to take charge. He was restless all day long, but he also had some expectations.
The Tatar army had strong soldiers and horses, and the military front was in full swing. The Jin people retreated, let alone the Song army.
Is the emperor too arrogant for wanting to compete with the Tatar army? Why didn't I stop him?
Could it be that he was also deceived by the emperor's eloquent words and ambition?
The Si Yamen was established in Chengdu. In the lobby, Cui Yu looked at the memorial in front of him, but his soul was far away.
I don’t know what happened to the war in Shukou?
"My lord, the emperor has sent someone to deliver the order!"
Outside the lobby, the sergeant's voice sounded, and Cui Yu couldn't help but perked up and stood up.
The emperor finally received his decree.
"Sichuan made Si Cui to receive the order!"
As a familiar voice sounded, a purple-robed official came in holding an imperial edict, followed closely by several majestic imperial guards.
"Chen Cui will accept the order from you!"
Cui Yu quickly knelt down. He could clearly see that the person delivering the order was Fan Zhong, the former head of the Sichuan Anti-Corruption Division and the Commander-in-Chief of Sichuan, who was considered a colleague of him.
"The imperial edict says: The Song Dynasty and the Tatars have reached a peace agreement, the Tatar army has retreated, the northern border is peaceful, and our army has advanced to Hexi. Order Cui Yu, the envoy of Sichuan, to prepare for emigration to Hexi..."
After Fan Zhong finished reading, Cui thanked him, took the imperial edict, and was helped up by Fan Zhong.
"General Commander Fan, please tell me about the war ahead!"
Cui Yu was impatient and asked immediately.
The war at Shukou weighed heavily on his mind, making him uneasy and uneasy.
"...I cherish the Qin Emperor and the Han Dynasty, who are slightly less talented in literature, and the Tang Zong and Song Zu, who are slightly less coquettish... To count the famous figures, let's look at the present..."
Fan Zhong laughed and changed the topic.
"Xiangong Cui, His Majesty once mentioned that the "romantic figures" in this poem refer to all the people with lofty ideals who are serving the country and the people today. I wonder what Xianggong Cui thinks?"
What do I think?
Seeing how satisfied the new official under Zhao Hong was, Cui Yu couldn't help but smile and felt relaxed.
"Mr. Fan, what do you think?"
Fan Zhong is so calm and calm, and the battle ahead will definitely not disappoint anyone.
"I agree with your Majesty's view. A gentleman keeps his weapons hidden in his body and moves at the right time. If a man is alive and does not strive for fame, wouldn't his life be in vain?"
Seeing Fan Zhong's high spirits and contentment, Cui Yu couldn't help but be stunned.
"General Commander Fan, are you going to be entrusted with an important task?"
Fan Zhong once served as the general magistrate of Taiping Prefecture and the magistrate of Huizhou Prefecture. He has rich political experience and is smart and capable. Moreover, he is already over fifty years old. If he doesn't work hard, he may regret it for the rest of his life.
The key is that Fan Zhong is honest and self-disciplined, which is especially appreciated by the officials, and he will definitely be entrusted with important responsibilities.
"Xianggong Cui, today I'm here to deliver an edict and to ask for help."
Fan Zhong saluted solemnly, his face flushed with a hint of elation.
"Your Majesty has appointed me to be the envoy of Hexi Road, and Yu Jie to be the governor of Hexi Road. He has ordered me and the two of us to conduct military operations in Hexi. The thought of going to serve in my hometown in the Song Dynasty that has been lost for more than a hundred years makes me feel frightened." !”
Fan Zhong's eyes suddenly became moist.
Hexi Road system and envoy! Hexi Road is under the control of the capital!
Cui Yu was shocked and his lips trembled.
"Our army regained Hexi? Does the Xixia Kingdom still exist?"
Hexi is all under the control of the Mongolian army. Listening to Fan Zhong's intention, the Song army is going to send troops to Hexi.
Isn't this going to be a head-on battle with the Mongolian army?
"Xiangong Cui, Xixia is still here, and my soldiers who reinforced Xixia have also returned. Our army has not only gone to Hexi, but has also occupied Taozhou, Lintao Prefecture, Huangzhou and Lanzhou. Now, I, the Song Dynasty, have joined forces with Hexi. Become one!"
Fan Zhong laughed, his face full of confidence.
"This...then the Song Dynasty will start a war with the Tatars and Jin people at the same time?"
Cui Yu was frightened, and his expression became solemn.
Taozhou, Lintao Prefecture and Lanzhou are all the western frontier fortresses of the Jin people. The Song army occupied these lands, which meant that they were at odds with the Jin people and might have to fight with each other.
But to occupy Hexi, Lanzhou must be occupied. Otherwise, there is a Jin Kingdom between Hexi and Sichuan, how can the emperor rest assured?
"Our army is not even afraid of the Tatar army, but it is also afraid of the Jin people? Besides, Shaanxi is the hometown of the Song Dynasty, why should we owe the Jin people? As for the Tatars, Genghis Khan died of illness, the Song Dynasty and the Tatars reached a peace agreement, and the Tatars The Tatar army has retreated, and the remaining army in Hexi is not worth mentioning."
Fan Zhong looked at Cui Yu and spoke softly.
In the border fortress war, the Song army was brave and vigorous. With firearms, there was nothing to fear from the Mongolian cavalry.
"Ah! This..."
Cui Yu was stunned and suddenly felt enlightened.
The Song army advanced into Hexi. The emperor's courage was extraordinary.
"Since Your Majesty has reached a peace agreement with the Tatars, and if you send troops to Hexi now, doesn't this mean you are tearing up the peace agreement? If the Tatar army goes south again, won't it cause another military disaster?"
Cui Yu was frightened, disturbed by the aggressiveness and aggressiveness of the Song army.
The peace agreement had just been signed, and while the other party was retreating, the soldiers advanced into Hexi. The emperor is despicable and shameless.
"The emperor said that the terms of the peace agreement are meant to be torn up, and everything depends on strength. As for the Tatar army coming to retaliate, Cui Xianggong didn't know. The proud soldiers and generals of the border army have been eager to try. It’s too late to start a war!”
The soldiers of the Song Army did not have any psychological burden on the use of troops in Hexi. Firstly, Hexi was the hometown of China. Secondly, the Mongolian army took Hexi from Xixia. The Song army took it back from its opponent, so why not?
"Survival of the fittest, survival of the fittest, this is what Your Majesty calls the law of the jungle. Your Majesty's views on human nature are very profound. However, this undeclared war and taking advantage of others' danger seems a bit unjust."
Cui Yu said with emotion, with a wry smile on his face, but he was still frightened.
The emperor is young and vigorous and has played too much. I wonder if it will be over by then?
The Mongolian cavalry is conquering the world. Once it shows its power, the consequences will be disastrous.
"Xiangong Cui, with all due respect, kindness to the enemy is the greatest cruelty to oneself. Especially to the powerful Tatar cavalry, it is even more benevolent to a woman. This is also what your Majesty said, and I regard it as a famous aphorism. When the Tatar army invaded our Song Dynasty and slaughtered the city, were they upright?"
After Fan Zhong's words, Cui Yu stood up and bowed with sweat dripping from his back.
"Xianggong Fan, what your Majesty said is absolutely true! I have learned from you!"
"Xiangong Cui, you and I are the same. We are all doing it for the people of the Song Dynasty. Just like what your Majesty did, everything was for the benefit of the Song Dynasty and the people of the Song Dynasty. I have a public heart and if my words are inappropriate, please don't say it. Sorry!"
"Mr. Fan, I'm serious! If I were so narrow-minded, I wouldn't be alive now."
The two looked at each other and laughed.
It's all about state affairs, and sometimes there are some disputes, but seeking common ground while reserving differences is the way for gentlemen to get along.
"Xiangong Cui, you don't want to go to Hexi. There are no old friends in Yangguan in the west?"
Fan Zhong asked softly with a smile on his face.
Back then, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty fought against the Xiongnu and established four counties in Hexi. Thousands of years have passed, but the people of the Song Dynasty have never even seen what Hexi looks like. Yumen Pass, Dunhuang, Liangzhou and other ancient passes of the Han Dynasty can only be seen in the poems and songs of the predecessors.
Song people, how sad!
"General Commander Fan, no, Mr. Fan, congratulations! I also want to visit Dunhuang, climb the city wall of Yumen Pass, touch the marks of swords and arrows, and recall the glorious days when Han cavalry traveled across the desert!"
Cui Yu was filled with emotion and bowed.
At this point, we can only endure it.
The emperor was ambitious and wanted to imitate the story of the Han Dynasty and was determined to open up new areas. Hexi is in ruins, and Sichuan will probably provide all the necessary supplies, food, grass, and even immigrants.
As a result, the burden on his shoulders became heavier.
"Xianggong Cui, you can come at any time when my army has established a foothold in Hexi. Speaking of which, the 50,000 elite soldiers trained by Xianggong Cui have been of great help. Sichuan has filled the west of Hexi, and those guarding it are the children of Shu. Sichuan and Hexi One body. Old husband, you want to leave your name in history!"
Fan Zhong smiled all over his face and complimented Cui Yulai sincerely.
"This is all your Majesty's preparation for a rainy day. Commander Fan is working hard, and I don't dare to overstep it."
Cui Yu laughed, feeling relieved.
For the immigration and garrison in Hexi, Shu must have made the greatest contribution, and he was also proud of it.
"Ms. Cui, it will take some time for the people to immigrate to Hexi. It will take some time for the people to be mobilized. His Majesty said in the imperial edict that 50,000 Sichuan Xiang troops will be sent to Hexi first. Farming tools, seeds and other supplies will be provided by Sichuan and Lizhou... …”
Fan Zhong looked at Cui Yu and laughed.
"As for the oxen, I won't bother my husband. Our army defeated the Tatar army's Lintao camp and gained countless horses. So you don't have to worry about the oxen. In addition, there are also farm tools on Lizhou West Road. Can supply a lot.”
"That's good. There's also a shortage of cattle in Sichuan. Besides, it's not easy to get to Hexi even though we're so far away."
Cui Yu felt a little calmer, and then frowned.
"Fifty thousand Xiang troops arrived in Hexi, and their families..."
Fifty thousand elite troops from the Sichuan Zhiji Division were mobilized to Hexi, and there were also fifty thousand Xiang army militiamen stationed in the countryside to guard the border. The children of Sichuan were about to fight for the country again.
With so many officers and soldiers going to Hexi, how will their families be accommodated?
"Xiangong Cui, fifty thousand border troops entered Hexi, and fifty thousand Xiang troops stationed and guarded the border. Each of their family members was granted 10 acres of land and was exempted from taxes for three years, just like ordinary people who are willing to immigrate."
"Each person will be granted 10 acres of land! No tax for three years!"
Cui Yu was shocked.
As a result, the poor people in Shu will flock to Hexi.
In this case, it would be much easier to immigrate to Hexi.
