Every summer, Jinling City becomes a furnace, sweltering and humid. Even at night, although the sun sets over the mountains, the heat is still unabated, making people complain endlessly.
The Anti-Corruption Department is located in the northeast corner of Jinling City, at the address of the former Dong Liquor House. Although the Yamen is not big, it is in a remote location, and there are few pedestrians, but the court officials who know it, no matter how big or small their official positions are, are frightened and afraid to avoid it. Less than that.
Since the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Department in the first year of Xingqing, hundreds of important officials of the imperial court have been executed and exiled, and countless subordinate officials have been killed. Nowadays, the anti-corruption department has branches all over the Song Dynasty, and the number of anti-corruption personnel has reached tens of thousands. The anti-corruption system has become a common practice, and the improvement of the official administration of the Song Dynasty can be seen with the naked eye.
What officials and ordinary people don’t know is that the Anti-Corruption Department is not only anti-corruption, it also has an important function, that is, the intelligence function.
Zhou Ping, the uncle of the Song Dynasty, personally took charge and reported to only the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Hong.
At nightfall, all the Imperial Guards on duty inside and outside the Anti-Corruption Department's Yamen were sweating profusely, but they still stood solemnly with their weapons in hand. Everyone cheered up and did not dare to show any signs of neglect.
In the lobby of the Anti-Corruption Department, after reading each report, whether it was a small volume or a small ball, or written on cloth, or a wax pill, Zhao Hong frowned and looked at the information in front of him. Silent.
"Your Majesty, Liu Liu and Chen Twelve assassinated Zhang Rou and bowed to the south, never forgetting the king's Northern Expedition. In order to kill Baitaer, Zhang Yaozu held the sky-shaking thunder and jade stones and burned them together. Unfortunately, they only killed Zhenhai, and Baitaer's mouth was not warm. Hua and others escaped. As for Song San, one man blew up the Mongolian army's baggage warehouse in Taiyuan, and he could not escape."
"What's a pity? What a pity for me, the great man of Song Dynasty! It's not worth it to die for a little Bator! It's such a pity to die!"
Zhao Hong had a dark face and said something dissatisfied to his brother-in-law.
Today, the national and military strength of the Song Dynasty is not what it used to be, and the psychological "fear" has long since disappeared.
Hundreds of thousands of well-trained elites, fully equipped with firearms, who fear death, are still afraid of a million-strong Mongolia?
Zhou Ping obeyed and quickly stepped aside, and the room suddenly fell into silence.
Zhao Hong likes brave and courageous young people, but he seems to be too womanly. The so-called kindness does not lead the army. Several intelligence personnel were sacrificed and can be re-dispatched. Compared with tasks, sacrifice is also a duty.
However, it is precisely because Zhao Hong loves his soldiers like a son and has compassion for others that he is respected and worshiped by the army officers.
He even doubted that if Zhao Hong died a hundred years later, the subsequent kings of the Song Dynasty, including his nephew Zhao Quan, would be able to shoulder the great power of the Song Dynasty.
Zhou Ping's mind was spinning for a long time before Zhao Hong raised his head and said in a hissing voice, breaking the silence.
"Zhang Yaozu, Song San, Liu Liu, and Chen Twelve, how are their families arranged? Have they told their families about the matter?"
Those warriors who sacrificed their lives for their country deserve a monument of meritorious service to commemorate them.
"Back to Your Majesty, Zhang Yaozu's family members have been told about the martyrs of their country. Zhang Yaozu has recovered his head and can still be buried. Song San, Liu Liu and Chen Twelve can only build a tomb."
Seeing Zhao Hong looking at him with a sullen face, Zhou Ping quickly continued:
"Zhang Yaozu's younger brother is currently studying at Jinling University. His parents have allocated a house in Yangzhou with daily pensions, which is enough to support them in their old age. Liu Liu's parents are old and sent to the Yangzhou Nursing Home, and the government is responsible for their daily needs. Chen Twelve's parents He died young and was alone, unable to help. As for Song San..."
Zhou Ping came one by one, and Zhao Hong nodded and looked better.
"Send a decree to the Information Department to report the deeds of Zhang Yaozu, Song San, Liu Liu, and Chen Twelve to the world and the army. When the Martyrs' Shrine in Beidi is built, Zhang Yaozu and the other three will go to the temple to worship. At the same time, Zhang Yaozu The hometowns of Song San and others, Yangzhou, Chuzhou, Gaoyou, and Xiangyang, each built ancestral halls to offer sacrifices. The four places were exempted from taxes for three years and lived with the people, so that the local people would remember their heroes."
Huaidong has been devastated by war for a long time. While praising the heroes, it also allowed the people to relax because of the current situation.
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
Zhou Ping was sincerely convinced and bowed to receive the decree.
On the occasion of the Northern Expedition, it was just right and the right time to use the deeds of Zhang Yaozu, three or four people of the Song Dynasty to boost morale.
"The good men of the Song Dynasty can no longer make unnecessary sacrifices."
Zhao Hong shook his head and frowned.
Zhang Rou is dead, and Zhang Hongfan, who historically erected a stone on Yashan Mountain to show his achievements in destroying the Song Dynasty, is probably gone too.
Liu Liu and Chen Twelve, what a pity for a pair of tough men!
And Song San, what made him so determined to blow up the supply warehouse in Taiyuan?
Is it fearlessness, feelings of family and country, the glory of the military, or is there another reason?
"Zhou Ping, do you know that Zhang Yaozu and others died for their country, and I am actually a little proud in my heart."
"pride?"
Zhou Ping couldn't help but be stunned.
"That's right! It's pride! The pride of being a Han Chinese! The pride of recognizing Han culture! The pride of my Song Dynasty's martial arts style!"
Zhao Hong nodded, sat up straight, and looked solemn.
"I founded the martial arts lecture hall and the naval academy, allowed civilians to wear swords and guns, abolished sashimi in the military, improved the status of soldiers, and promoted martial arts in newspapers. Everything I did was to make the world appear like Zhang Yaozu and Chen Twelve The dead soldiers and warriors have changed the chaos of our country where civil society governs military affairs and all blood is lost. Today, you saw that I did it."
For these intelligence officers who walk on the knife's edge, those who can risk their lives and sacrifice heroically can be regarded as martyrs.
This also made Zhao Hong happy. With no country or nation in their hearts and no pride in the civilization and culture of the Han people, it is difficult for these passionate men to regard death like home.
"Your Majesty, the pride of the Han people has been lost long ago, but your Majesty has brought it back."
Zhou Ping stood up and bowed.
"Your Majesty has worked so hard and has a far-sighted vision, and I am so humbled!"
Nowadays, the scholars and people of the Song Dynasty favored martial arts and talked about side affairs. Even knowledgeable scholars wore swords and practiced martial arts and kept fit. This has become an unstoppable social trend. Those who study hard have been abandoned by the times.
The lost pride of the Han people was awakened by the emperor.
"At that time, Shi Miyuan was in power and framed Zhongliang. No one in the civil and military dynasties dared to kill this thief. He was completely destitute of blood, which is sad. If Shi Miyuan had been born in this dynasty, he would have been killed by warriors long ago. How can he be the same? ten years?"
Zhao Hong continued, snorting coldly.
"What your Majesty said is absolutely true!"
Zhou Ping muttered to himself. With Zhao Hong in power, powerful ministers like Shi Miyuan may no longer be seen.
After complaining and looking at the respectful Zhou Ping, Zhao Hong couldn't help but be startled.
"Brother, please sit down. There is no need to be so reserved between you and me."
Perhaps because the Northern Expedition was approaching, his temper became violent, making everyone around him cautious.
Zhou Ping smiled and sat down aside.
"Your Majesty, during the Northern Expedition, what do you plan to do with Princess Wen and the prince?"
Zhou Ping couldn't help it, and the topic returned to Wan Yanchun.
The Northern Expedition is about to begin. At this stall, the princess of Jin Kingdom is coming, and there is also an emperor's son. How can we not distract people.
In total, Zhao Sinan is already seven years old and is the emperor's second son.
"What, did you hear something?"
Ever since Wan Yanchun and his son returned to Jinling City, there have been more rumors. And rumors about whether Master Wang was going to the Northern Expedition to the Jin Kingdom also reached Shi Shi's ears.
"Your Majesty, Wan Yanchun is the Princess of the Kingdom of Jin after all. Princess Yin Jian of Xixia is not far away, and Your Majesty needs to handle it carefully. The Northern Expedition is coming, and the morale of the military must not be disturbed!"
Zhou Ping said meaningfully.
Both Li Weiming and Yang Yi had left the harem, and Zhou Ping did not want to disrupt the situation for Princess Wanyanchun and her son of the Kingdom of Jin.
"Don't worry. I have my own mind to decide which one is more serious."
Zhao Hong nodded. His personal love life is indeed a mess.
"Zhou Ping, are your wife and children okay? My father-in-law and mother-in-law have to worry about them."
Zhou Ping is already married, the daughter of Gao Dingzi, the pacifier of Liangzhe Road, and a descendant of the Wei Gao family in Pujiang, Sichuan. Zhou Ping and Tian Yi became relatives.
Speaking of which, the circle of high-ranking officials and powerful people is only so large. Zhou Ping may seem to be in a high position, but in fact he doesn't have many opportunities to choose.
Zhou An's death was a bit of a blow to the Zhou couple. I hope they won't be too sad.
"Everything is fine at home. Zhou An's children are well taken care of by my mother and so many people. Speaking of which, it is all thanks to His Majesty's grace that the Zhou family is what it is today."
Zhou Ping smiled apologetically and said respectfully:
"Your Majesty, the king's army is going to the north, and my responsibilities have been greatly reduced. I want to go somewhere to do things, but I wonder if your majesty will allow it?"
Zhao Hong's dignity grew stronger day by day, and so did Zhou Ping's respect. In the past, he felt that he was full of talents, but his talents were not recognized. Only after witnessing Zhao Hong's great talent and omnipotence did he understand the feeling and helplessness of standing tall at the top of a mountain.
"Okay, I'm flattering you every time. Can you be more confident? I think after the two rivers are restored, you can first serve as the Hebei Zhizhi envoy or Shandong Zhizhi envoy!"
Zhao Hong said angrily.
In just ten years, the high-spirited man who once dared to ridicule him in person has turned into a submissive man without any trace of his spirit.
Are you being too domineering?
However, if Zhou Ping wants to do something, he should do it.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Zhou Ping was startled, then smiled and seemed much more relaxed.
Seeing Zhou Ping's expression, Zhao Hong couldn't help but be startled.
"Zhou Ping, are you willing? Don't wrong yourself. Otherwise, I won't be able to explain to Xiuniang and my father-in-law and mother-in-law."
"Your Majesty, I am willing. I have always dreamed of doing something."
Zhou Ping paused and continued:
"I recommend Zhang Jin to continue the daily routine of the Intelligence Department and Xu Liang to serve as the head of the Anti-Corruption Department. I will take up the post after the two rivers are restored."
The Hebei road system appoints envoys, and the Shandong road system appoints envoys. These are the real officials of the frontier. At the age of thirty-five or six, he can run a good business and leave a name in history in the future.
"It's rare that you like me. You can choose among the officials in the court, and I will do my best."
Zhao Hong glanced at the pile of information on the table and thought for a moment.
"Zhang Jin is rigorous and meticulous in his work, so let him take office as soon as possible and be responsible for all matters of the Intelligence Department."
Zhang Jin is Zhou Ping's childhood friend and knows everything about him. Besides, Zhang Jin is Zhou Ping's right-hand man and an official of the Anti-Corruption Department, so he should be good.
"You will train in Hebei or Shandong first, and then follow the army northward in the Northern Expedition. In a few years, you will go to Japan. I will appoint you as the envoy of the Japanese road system and govern the place well."
"Japan's military envoy? Your Majesty, the Northern Expedition is the big deal right now. Your Majesty still wants to use troops against Japan?"
Zhou Ping said in surprise.
"Zhou An is my brother-in-law, how can he die in vain? When the Northern Expedition is over, the naval warships will go north, and next year they will use troops against Japan to destroy Japan in one fell swoop!"
After Zhao Hong finished speaking, he looked at Zhou Ping.
"Back to business. Has the Tatar army shipped out the money and food they received in Lianghe this summer?"
Zhao Hong's thoughts returned to the Northern Expedition.
Since Yelu Chucai, Zhenhai and others took control of the Central Plains, they cultivated and cultivated the two rivers and established a tax department. They had an annual income of 4.5 million guan and 5.6 million shi of grain, and they continued to inject blood to the Mongolian government.
In Zhao Hong's view, this was a serious problem in the Song Dynasty that must be eliminated.
"Back to Your Majesty, according to the news from the north, due to the hot weather, money and food have not been delivered yet. According to previous years' practice, it is usually in mid-September, after the weather has completely cooled down. But..."
Zhou Ping calmed down and became much more energetic for a moment.
"However, as the news of our army's Northern Expedition spread to Lianghe, the Tatars have begun to mobilize troops to Lianghe, so money and food will naturally not be transported outside the Great Wall."
"Is there any secret report about the reinforcement of troops in Lianghe?"
Zhao Hong also became energetic.
It seemed that Wokuotai did not want to lose Lianghe and began to increase troops to Lianghe.
"Back to Your Majesty, there is news from the north. Wo Kuotai wants to gather heavy troops in Yanjing, Taiyuan, Yunzhong, Zhending Prefecture, as well as Dongping Prefecture and Jinan Prefecture in Shandong Province, each with troops stationed ranging from 50,000 to more than 100,000. . Its important towns are Yanjing, Taiyuan and Yunzhong."
Zhou Ping's report made Zhao Hong nodded slightly.
Wokuotai had been on the battlefield for a long time, and knew that the Song army was exhausted on expeditions, so he wanted to fight a protracted war with the Song army, hoping to wear down the Song army and wait for an opportunity to counterattack.
In this case, let's fight fierce battles, let the battlefield be won or lost, and experience this historical event.
"Is the money and food transferred through the major ports in Huaihe, Huaihe and Shandong already enough?"
The soldiers and horses have not moved, but the food and grass go first. Zhao Hong was touched and asked immediately.
"Your Majesty, the grain, grass and baggage stored in Haizhou and Mizhou are enough for the 200,000 King's Division for the Northern Expedition for half a year. If the Huaiyang and Dinghai lines are included, it will be enough for the 200,000 King's Division for one year."
"War, in the final analysis, is about logistics!"
Zhao Hong nodded and said calmly.
Just like intelligence work, intelligence also requires money to manage in order to get the desired information and clues from the other party's officials and ministers.
However, it is no longer needed.
"I don't want to see the sacrifices of Zhang Yaozu, Song San, Liu Liu and Chen Twelve again. I am sending a message to the intelligence personnel in the North to lurk on the spot and stop making unnecessary sacrifices!"
Zhao Hong pondered for a moment and finally made a decision.
"Pass the message, choose an auspicious day and pledge your strength to the Northern Expedition, and take the two rivers directly!"
What is supposed to come will come! He can't wait!
