Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall, Humble Administrator's Garden, Imperial Study Room.
In late spring, the sun was shining brightly. It was supposed to be a good season for flowers to bloom and go out for outings, but for Song Dynasty Emperor Zhao Hong, his mood was not good.
Not only did the emperor have a gloomy face, but even the Prime Minister Zhen Dexiu and the Privy Councilor Wei Liaoweng in the room also frowned.
"Drive out the common people and kill the officials. What does this Latin Emperor want to do?"
Zhao Hong dropped the memorial, his face was livid, and he said something hateful.
Although the people who built the Suez Canal were local Egyptians, the officials responsible for building the canal were Song Dynasty officials. Officials of the Song Dynasty were killed, which was like a war.
"Your Majesty, this Venetian or Latin Emperor Baldwin occupies Constantinople and is known as the "Beggar Emperor". He is extremely poor. Firstly, he is extorting some money, and secondly, he may not want me to The power of the Song Dynasty has entered Europe, and we do not want the Song Dynasty to form an alliance with the Ayyubid Dynasty of Egypt to deal with them together."
Zhen Dexiu was cautious and reported to Zhao Hong.
"Where's Camille? What's his attitude?"
The Merchant of Venice? This sentence flashed in Zhao Hong's mind involuntarily.
"King Kamil of Ayyub just stepped forward to denounce Baldwin and spent some silver coins to buy back the detained officials. Now the canal has begun to be re-excavated. It is expected to be completed by the end of the year."
Zhen Dexiu's words made Zhao Hong frown and remain silent.
The entire Mediterranean is now the sphere of influence of the Crusaders. When the Song Dynasty enters Europe, there will definitely be a conflict of interest with the European countries headed by the Roman Empire.
"My officials of the Song Dynasty were killed. What are the navy of the Song Dynasty doing? Are you watching the fun?"
Zhao Hong's expression became even more gloomy.
There are tens of thousands of Song Navy officers and soldiers stationed in South Africa, West Africa, and the Arabian Sea. Are they all just decorations?
"Back to Your Majesty, because the Song Dynasty is preparing for the Northern Expedition, the naval officers and soldiers are worried that the use of troops will cause an all-out war with European countries. Therefore, the naval warships came out to warn the Latin Empire and did not use troops."
Wei Liaoweng's report made Zhao Hong nod his head and look better.
Sometimes, you have to make some concessions in order to get the results you want.
"Let naval warships enter the Mediterranean, station troops in Alexandria in the Nile Delta, and ask Ayyubid King Kamil to provide help to ensure that there will be no harassment before the Suez Canal is dug. As for the bullshit Latin Empire..."
Zhao Hong hesitated for a moment before continuing:
"Let him be at ease for a while first, and then we will talk about it after the Northern Expedition is over."
Zhao Hong's eyes were stern, Wei Liaoweng was secretly frightened, and he quickly followed the order.
The wars in the Song Dynasty were going on one after another, which really didn't make people worry.
"Your Majesty, in our overseas territories recently, the phenomenon of intermarriage between the people of the Song Dynasty and the local indigenous people has been emerging one after another, which is really worrying."
Zhen Dexiu was worried and continued to report.
Corrupt officials in overseas territories had just been dealt with and the administration of officials had been clarified. Intermarriages between Song people and indigenous people also occurred one after another. After all, one of the main groups of immigrants is criminals. These people are all single men and have all kinds of emotions. Even if there are laws that clearly stipulate that intermarriage is prohibited, it will not help.
"Once again, we are clearly announcing to the world that anyone who marries with the indigenous people will be dismissed from the military, and they, their families and their children will never be allowed to enter the mainland of the Song Dynasty!"
Zhao Hong made the decision without hesitation.
There is no right or wrong in the face of national interests. The various ethnic groups in the Song Dynasty were able to intermarry because of the same culture. It was especially important to maintain independence and self-reliance in civilization and culture. Especially regarding the superiority of civilization, it is impossible to expect those indigenous people who know nothing to carry forward Chinese civilization and be proud of it.
Zhen Dexiu and Wei Liaowen quickly accepted the order.
The Song Dynasty takes priority. Putting the interests of the Song people first and the interests of the Han people first, the emperor's approach seemed impeccable.
"How is it over there in Dai Viet?"
Subconsciously, Zhao Hong thought of the situation in "Vietnam".
Nearly two months have passed, and there should be news from the Song Dynasty Navy.
"Back to Your Majesty, the Chen clan of Dai Viet is vulnerable. Our five thousand navy army and ten thousand city-occupying soldiers are advancing from south to north. Wherever we go, the various government offices are invincible. I don't think it will take more than a month to defeat our army. They will occupy most of the places in Dai Viet. However, the soldiers occupying the city are poorly disciplined and they burn, kill and loot wherever they go, which is a bit worrying."
Wei Liaoweng's report made Zhao Hong nodded.
Sure enough, it is true that one's own people kill one's own people the most ruthlessly.
"Then restrain them and straighten out the military discipline. At the same time, we should focus on attacking people's hearts and publicize it so that the people of Dai Viet know that when the Song Dynasty regains Dai Viet, it is to regain the old land. All the people are the people of the Song Dynasty. I will not It's a bad treatment. I also told Mrs. Chen that if the whole country comes to surrender, they will be rich and noble for the rest of their lives."
Even without the help of the city-occupying army, five thousand Song army soldiers with complete firearms could still destroy the weak Chen family.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say. I wonder whether I should say it or not?"
Zhen Dexiu looked at Zhao Hong, who was frowning and thinking, and said softly.
"Zhen Gong, there is nothing that cannot be discussed between you and me as teachers and students. Just say it!"
"Your Majesty, it has been several months since Yang Guiyi and Concubine Li Xian left the palace. Your Majesty will be sitting in Jinling again to preside over the Northern Expedition. The harem is empty. In my opinion, Your Majesty, it is better to recruit virtuous people to enrich the harem."
Zhen Dexiu's words made Zhao Hong laugh.
"Zhen Gong, you are really worried about me! Do you still have a daughter? Is it suitable for you to stay with me?"
In my impression, Zhen Dexiu only had one daughter, who was married early to the son of the late Zhao Rushi, the magistrate of Quanzhou.
As for Wei Liaoweng's daughter, he didn't dare to joke. The eldest daughter's husband, An Gongxing, was killed in violation of the law. The second daughter, Wei Sisi, was Tian Yi's ex-wife, so he didn't dare to joke about it.
"Your Majesty is joking. The old minister does not have that blessing. However, the new head of the Guards Department, Shi Huiyu, is a good candidate. Your Majesty may wish to consider it."
"Your Majesty, what Mr. Zhen said is absolutely true. Shi Huiyu is your Majesty's student and knows everything about her. Although she is a prisoner, she is a pure and kind person. Besides, Shi Huiyu has been waiting for your Majesty for eight years and has never been married. Your Majesty might as well grant her wish. "
Zhen Dexiu and Wei Liaoweng joined forces with their swords and spoke to Zhao Hong.
There were only three concubines in the emperor's harem, which was too deserted no matter how you looked at it.
"Okay, okay! You two, I will consider it, I will consider it."
Zhao Hong nodded, noncommittal.
For an old man like him who has experienced emotional setbacks, feelings are not only luxurious, but also dangerous.
After Zhen Dexiu and others left, Zhao Hong returned to the imperial study and stood quietly in front of the window. He stared at the garden outside the window, holding his hands and saying nothing.
Zhou Ping came in and stood waiting quietly, silently.
My sister was named queen, my nephew Zhao Quan was the eldest son of the emperor, and he was the head of the Anti-Corruption Department and the Intelligence Department, so he seemed to be a very popular minister.
Xu Liang is different from him. Xu Liang wants to be a "crouching tiger" and a lonely minister, but he cannot.
Whether it is the Anti-Corruption Department or the Intelligence Department, they do things that offend people. The younger sister wants to be the lord of the Sixth Palace, and the nephew wants to be established as the prince. He seems to be their only support.
Nothing can happen to him!
But being with a king is like being with a tiger, not to mention intelligence. He has too many state secrets, so he has to be afraid of the king. It is better to escape as soon as possible, accumulate some political achievements, and also provide support for his sister and nephew in the future.
It wasn't until Zhao Hong turned around that Zhou Ping realized what he was doing and hurried forward to greet him.
"Your Majesty, I have something to report."
Zhao Hong sat down on the chair and glanced at Zhou Ping in surprise.
"Zhou Ping, are you okay? Are you sick?"
"Your Majesty, I am thinking about something and am just lost in thought."
Zhou Ping's memorial was handed over, and Zhao Hong picked it up and opened it.
How could he know his uncle's little thoughts?
"Your Majesty, the Northern Expedition has been abuzz in the newspapers and has spread to the territory of the Jin Kingdom. People's hearts in Henan are floating, and many people are fleeing south. I am afraid that there is some conspiracy among them, so I informed Du Gao that they are all arranged in the Huaixi area. There are more than 100,000 people there. So much."
Zhou Ping's report made Zhao Hong nodded slightly.
"Let the Coastal Planning Department and the Immigration Department discuss it. Those who are willing to immigrate overseas will be properly resettled, and the rest will be resettled in Huaixi. Don't abuse the people, and don't starve to death."
The Mongolian army attacked Henan, and everyone was devastated. It was not easy for anyone to survive.
"Your Majesty, according to a secret report from Yanjing, Yelu Chucai, Liu Heima, Shi Tianze and others explained to Wo Kuotai the Northern Expedition of our Great Song Dynasty King's Division. Wo Kuotai has successively increased troops to the two rivers, but there is no sign of large-scale reinforcements. .”
"Liu Heima, Shi Tianze and others are all battle-hardened, and Wokuotai will increase the number of troops!"
Zhao Hong continued Zhou Ping's words.
Lianghe is the logistics supply base of the Mongol Empire. Yelu Chucai is not a fool, and Wo Kuotai is a talented man who will not ignore it.
"What other secret reports are there on the other side of the Two Rivers?"
Zhao Hong subconsciously became interested.
Speaking of which, the Intelligence Department was run by his brother-in-law. He really didn't know what the situation was like.
"Your Majesty, this is a secret report on the situation in various places in the two rivers. Please take a look."
Zhao Hong took the memorial and looked at it carefully.
"Shi Tianze, a member of the Han army in Zhending Mansion, is this person easy to win over?"
To restore the two rivers, try to kill as little as possible. Tens of millions of people in Lianghe were killed by the Mongolian army, and only two to three million remained. The people were really pitiful.
"Your Majesty, Shi Tianze is 31 years old. He belongs to a wealthy family in Hebei and has not yet had an heir. He is resourceful and decisive, and he is cautious in using troops. He is a talented general. He is a good dancer and good at observing the current situation. Wo Kuotai cherishes Shi Tianze and Zhang Rou and thinks that they are talents. But you can give it a try.”
"Zhang Rou?"
Zhao Hong's heart moved.
"What's going on with this Zhang Rou? Who is in his family?"
"Your Majesty, Zhang Rou is 43 years old. He belongs to a wealthy family in Hebei. He was a former surrendered general of the Jin Dynasty. He was the guard general of Baozhou in Mongolia and a Han army with ten thousand households. He has more than 30,000 men under his command. Zhang Rou has five wives and concubines, four sons died young, and the remaining three The sons are Zhang Hongyan, Zhang Honglue and Zhang Honggui, all of whom are minors."
Zhou Ping took the memorial and replied, confused in his heart.
He wrote clearly about Zhang Rou's situation in the memorial, why did the emperor still ask questions.
"Zhang Rou, does he have a son named Zhang Hongfan?"
Zhao Hong didn't give up and asked again.
Zhang Rou can give birth to so many sons.
"Your Majesty, it is indeed not the case!"
Zhou Ping replied solemnly and added.
"Shi Tianze and Zhang Rou use troops. Shi Tianze kills less and Zhang Rou kills more. But both of them can use troops, so they are talented generals."
"Kill more? I'm afraid he killed no less people in Hebei than the Tatar army."
Zhao Hong shook his head and sneered.
"Zhou Ping, the northern expedition of the army will only take a few months. It's time to start moving on the other side of the two rivers. There is no need for Zhang Rou to exist."
Since Zhang Hongfan has not been born yet, there is no need for him to appear again.
"Zhang Hongfan, the great general of the country, destroyed the Song Dynasty here!"
The shameful scene of those nations must never happen again in Zhao Hong's era.
"Taiyuan!"
Zhao Hong put down the secret report and frowned.
Whoever wins the east of the river wins the world. To restore the two rivers, the focus is on Taiyuan and Yanmen Pass, especially Taiyuan, which must be captured.
"Your Majesty, Taiyuan is currently garrisoned by two Han troops, Liu Heima and Xiao Zala. Although Liu Heima lost 20,000 men in the Battle of Hanzhong, there are still tens of thousands of Han troops in Taiyuan, and their vitality is still there. Liu Heima is The self-proclaimed Khitan, like Xiao Zala, is very loyal to Wo Kuotai, so it may not be easy to persuade him to surrender."
Zhou Ping hesitated for a moment and continued:
"Tatar clan Wang Han Chijin and Torre's eldest son Meng Ge have frequently visited Taiyuan in recent days to repair city walls and rectify military equipment. It seems that what the Tatars are doing is also prepared for our army's Northern Expedition."
"I just want them to move. The more Mongolian troops in the two rivers, the better. In this way, the outcome can be decided in one battle."
Zhao Hong patted the table lightly.
Again, the purpose of war is to kill. Only by annihilating the main force of the Mongolian army in the two rivers on a large scale can we have peace of mind and long-term peace and stability.
