Qin'an Hall, this is probably the quietest hall in Qianyuan Palace. It has two circular corridors on all sides. The central core is a small hall with a verandah-style wooden structure. There are four small wooden bridges connecting it. Under the bridge is clear water that circulates in all seasons.
In summer, the water flow brings coolness to the small hall, and in winter, the hidden heating channel below provides warm and moist air, which always makes the place comfortable and pleasant.
Above the main entrance facing south are three beautiful cursive characters "Qingliu Jingshe" inscribed by Emperor Xuan; the bridge on the east is for egress and eunuchs, and on the west is the entrance and exit of palace officials and female officials; on the north is the passage for the exit of filth.
Generally, Zhao Tuo does not rest in the Qiande Hall, the main palace of the palace, after he retires from the previous dynasty. He receives the cabinet, holds small meetings, and holds private meetings there. However, when he rests, he always comes out from the north of the Qiande Hall and goes through the corridor. The "Qingliu Jingshe" in Qin'an Hall.
After a period of groans and heavy breathing, the emperor let out a roar of joy. Under the swing of Eunuch Liu's whisk, the eunuchs came forward with buckets and gold basins to adjust the water temperature. A female official came forward and called softly outside the door. :"His Majesty."
"Come in." Zhao Tuo said from inside. The female official opened the door and instructed the maids to enter the house with handkerchiefs and clean clothes.
These palace maids did not dare to raise their heads, so they knelt in two rows in the entrance hall. The wonderful smell in the air made their faces turn red, and no one dared to move easily.
The female official entered the dormitory wearing thin-soled socks. She first twisted a handkerchief and wiped the emperor's upper body. At the same time, she nodded to an elderly nun who followed her in.
The nun bowed slightly, helped the shivering palace maid to stand up, and twisted a piece of handkerchief to help her wipe it hastily. At this time, the female officer's voice asked: "Is Your Majesty satisfied with this child?"
The emperor hesitated for a moment and sighed: "It's so pitiful. Give her a title and a yard."
After hearing this, the mammy and the female officer looked at each other, retracted their hands, pushed the palace maid to thank her, and then someone handed her some clothes to wrap her up, and sent her to the next room to see the imperial doctor.
"Your Majesty, would you like to take a nap?" The female officer waved her hand and everyone quietly left, then she asked softly.
"I'm fine, but there are still some shortcomings in my heart. I feel quite hot and dry." Zhao Tuo, only wearing a gauze coat, reached out and pushed away the female official's hand to put on his clothes.
"Don't dare do this. If your Majesty catches a cold, I will all be guilty."
Zhao Tuo laughed and said in a low voice: "Don't be afraid of being blamed behind the scenes. I know my body and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it! It's just that you don't want to, Wen Shang Palace, otherwise it won't matter if I find two more."
Wen Shanggong was so frightened that he waved his hands quickly: "These things must be recorded in the living notes, and you don't dare to do anything!"
Looking at the door, Zhao Tuo lowered his voice: "You know how sad it is that the anger you are holding in your heart cannot come out. Good sister, please help me."
Wen Shanggong blushed and feigned anger in a low voice: "Your Majesty is making fun of you again." Zhao Tuo clasped his hands together and bowed.
Wen Shanggong bit his teeth lightly, moved over and sat on the edge of the bed with his knees bent, looked around, sighed deliberately, helped Zhao Tuo sleep on the pillow, and stretched out his hand to take out an embroidered handkerchief from his chest.
Zhao Tuo watched her avoid his eyes and turned her head. He couldn't help but sit up again with his hands on his shoulders. He put his arms around his round shoulders and let her lean on his chest. He raised his head and took a deep breath.
Eunuch Liu stood at the end of the bridge with his eyes slightly closed and seemed to be asleep. All the eunuchs and palace officials on duty stood outside the bridge and did not dare to show their anger. There was silence in the palace, as if these people didn't exist.
Suddenly, the door of Qingliu Jingshe was pushed open, and Wen Shanggong came out, went to Eunuch Liu and blessed him, and said: "Master Liu, your Majesty has just fallen asleep, so just leave one or two people to accompany you."
"Auntie, please go back and have a rest. You will have to trouble Auntie tonight." After Eunuch Liu said his official words, he said casually: "Your Majesty is getting older and more energetic, and he is all served by my aunt." Well done!"
Wen Shanggong's face felt a little feverish. He quickly stepped on his embroidered shoes and said, "I don't dare to take credit. The official is the manager of this palace. We all borrowed your credit." He said goodbye.
When Eunuch Liu saw her hurriedly walking out, he pursed his lips and smiled, then put his hands up and felt proud of this little plot. Suddenly I saw the face of a young eunuch wandering by the door, and he couldn't help but frown.
He waved, and the eunuch came in quietly on tiptoes. Under the glare of Eunuch Liu, he leaned into his ear and whispered in his ear: "Grandpa, there is a Huangmen who is waiting at the palace gate with a military newspaper. You Tell us whether we will accept it or not?"
"Huh?" Eunuch Liu was puzzled. He looked back at the time sign and muttered to himself: "These Huangmen all know the emperor's nap habit. Why is there a newbie today?" He curled his lips and asked in a low voice: "Liang Wu, what did you think of that man’s expression?”
"He seemed very happy, and his hands were shaking even as he held the tray." Liang Wu quickly bowed and answered.
Eunuch Liu was stunned for a moment, then rolled his eyes: "Go and ask Mr. Bingbi Sun to come over and ask what the plot is and whether it is a secret play. If it is not a secret play, ask Mr. Sun to take it, read it, and write it down. The yellow bars advance further."
"Yes, yes!" Liang Wu hurriedly exited. Sometimes it was even more unsafe to be close to the emperor. But soon he came in again with the eunuch Sun Dao. Sun Dao held the lacquer plate in his hand and bowed to Eunuch Liu with a smile on his face.
Eunuch Liu was stunned for a moment and immediately understood that this must be good news. He hurriedly crossed the bridge and came to the entrance of the palace and asked, "How is it?"
"Congratulations to Mr. Liu and great blessing from the emperor. The Jiangxi front line has been victorious. Jinxian, Dongxiang and Yujiang counties have all been recovered.
This is an urgent secret message sent by Mr. Zhao, the military commander of Jiangxi South Road. I dare not open it due to my authority, but it is undoubtedly related to the victory. Huang Menlang said that at the same time, a copy of the memorial has been sent to the Ministry of War in advance, and the cabinet should also know about it! "
A smile suddenly broke out on Eunuch Liu's face: "Amitabha, finally there is good news! It's really the blessing of our ancestors, the sky has eyes!"
"Well, Mr. Liu, do you think this secret fold...?"
When Sun Dao said this, Eunuch Liu was stunned for a moment. He immediately felt that it was not just about winning the battle, but there must be other things. As for whether he could know these things, he did not dare to make any claims.
After hesitating for a moment, he nodded: "Leave it to me, I will wake up the emperor."
"This... you always have to take risks." Sun Dao said awkwardly.
"It's okay." Eunuch Liu gritted his teeth: "There is news of victory in the battle. Your Majesty will definitely not blame you. Besides, there is only one cup of tea left before the daily wake-up time."
He looked back at the time sign and said, "It's a little bit close, but it doesn't matter." After saying that, he took the tray from Sun Dao and walked towards the monastery.
In fact, Zhao Tuo was already awake, and he wanted to sleep, but unfortunately, habit still pulled him back from his sweet dream. I slept very well after returning home, feeling refreshed.
He said "water" and the waiter brought tea to him. After drinking two cups, he felt his eyes opened wider.
Just as the outer door opened, he saw Eunuch Liu carrying a tray up the steps and walking towards him with a smile.
"What is in Liu Daban's hand? Could it be a secret box?" Zhao Tuo asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Hey, it seems that your Majesty slept comfortably, and he guessed right right away! I congratulate your Majesty, there is good news from the front line!"
"Oh? What is it? Where does it come from?"
"Southern Jiangxi Province, your Majesty is indeed known for his knowledge. Mr. Shi and Mr. Zhao have just taken office a few days ago, and Jinxian, Yujiang and Dongxiang have all been recovered! Oh, the sky has eyes...!"
"Old man, what are you yelling about? Why don't you bring up the secret box?" Zhao Tuo stood up and almost rushed over to grab the tray.
Eunuch Liu suddenly realized it and quickly offered it with his hands over his head. Zhao Tuo took the key and opened it, took out the secret memorial and read it carefully.
Zhao Chongbi reported inside that he and Li Dan had discussed and decided to divide the troops into three groups, and at the same time mobilize officers and soldiers from Hubei and Jiangxi to prepare for the encirclement and annihilation of Yang He's Jiangshan Army, as well as the detailed process of the capture of Jinxian, Yujiang, and Dongxiang counties.
Then a third of the page is used to explain Li Dan's plan to lead his team south to Guixi and Geyang to meet Queen Fengning's plan to return via Fengqiguan. At the same time, the strength composition of the Li Dan Task Force Battalion and the equipment of vehicles and horses are also attached.
Finally, Zhao Chongbi said that he was ordered to provide full assistance to Li Dan, so he borrowed 300 military horses and a batch of bean feed from Mabeizui Pastoral Station, and asked the emperor to forgive him.
He also said: This mixed operation of vehicles, cavalry, and infantry is unique in the Jiangnan region. If successful, it can be used as a model for the establishment of new combat barracks and ranger battalions for the government and army in Jiangnan provinces.
In this way, elite troops can be used to control a vast area of hundreds of miles, which is of great significance to the court in overcoming the phenomenon of redundant troops and implementing elite troops and streamlined administration.
Better troops and simpler administration? This word is very interesting. Zhao Tuo was attracted and fell into deep thinking. The phenomenon of redundant troops has always been an excuse for the civilian group to attack the military group.
At the beginning, Taizu set a quota of 1.2 million soldiers for various local guards. During the Taizong period, due to the war against the Tatars, the number of guards once reached 1.4 million.
But after Emperor Xuan reopened Beishou, this number was broken again, and once soared to 1.7 million.
Later, with the rise of the recruitment system, the number of soldiers in the garrison was reduced to 1.4 million, but the number of soldiers in the camp also reached 300,000, and the cost of the camp was more than 50% higher than that of the garrison soldiers!
Well now, there are still 1.2 million guardsmen, but the camp troops are close to 700,000. The total number of soldiers is only increasing. Moreover, the guardsmen have defected to thieves again and again. This makes the emperor's distrust of the guardsmen. Bing's impression was extremely bad.
But when civilian officials repeatedly proposed disarmament, he refused to nod easily. When the matter involves a civil-military dispute, it is not that simple. If the emperor easily expresses his support for one side.
In the end, he will find that the result is that the two sides will fight more lively, and the side with the imperial edict will definitely not give in, and can't wait to liquidate the other side overnight!
What will happen to such a court in the end? Without warriors and martial arts, the court would look full of civil servants. What would happen then? Will there be a situation in the court where the civil servants are united against the imperial power?
Of course, there is also a possibility that the civil service group will lose its traditional goals and will have internal strife and embark on the path of rebellion and party strife!
Thinking of these difficulties for Zhao Tuo, he took the memorial and repeatedly thought about the four words "better troops and simpler administration". Well, the soldiers must be elite, and government affairs must be simplified and speedy!
Zhao Tuo needs careful thinking and careful implementation to gradually achieve his goal. Governing a big country is like cooking a small one, not to mention that he has an empire with such a huge population in his hands!
Both civil and military officials were indispensable in the court. It was necessary to prevent them from joining forces to deal with the imperial power and not to cause an imbalance between the two. Since Zhao Tuo came to the throne, especially after taking charge, he has become more and more aware of the difficulties faced by the late emperor.
He couldn't go to any of his ministers to discuss matters like these, so he could only figure them out on his own. At most, he could ask the Queen Mother for advice and get some advice from her wisdom.
During the Taizu period of this dynasty, civil servants were relatively unpopular. Since Emperor Longzhi, especially Emperor Renzong, the status of civil servants has changed significantly. Now the literary strategy is superior to the military, but it is limited to the court. This trend has not spread to the local areas, so the imperial power is in The balance between the two is quite successful.
Nowadays, there is a force that is constantly proposing to restrain force and promote force, pointing out that redundant troops were the way to the destruction of the former Song Dynasty. Ministers have repeatedly written letters on this, believing that the country should disarm in order to maintain peace. Regarding this kind of argument, Zhao Tuo usually only said "I understand" but ignored it.
However, today, Zhao Chongbi, the current admiral of Jiangxi Military Affairs whom he trusted deeply, suddenly said "better troops and simpler administration". These four words caused the emperor to think deeply.
What he paid attention to was not Zhao Chongbi's intentions, but why did this clan brother who held military power suddenly use this as a topic?
Zhao Chongbi was different from other military leaders and generals. He was from the royal family and was personally sent to Jiangxi by himself. Zhao Tuo felt there was a problem when Jiangxi reported signs of an increase in refugees last year, and sent Zhao Chongbi and others there in advance.
This practice of "mixing sand" may seem arbitrary, but in fact it has deep meaning.
Although it is impossible for Zhao Chongbi to lead the army for a long time with a royal background, this victory has clearly explained the existing problems of the army, and it is also enough to see clearly the shortcomings of provincial and government officials. When facing the court ministers, he has already won. .
"I guess the faces of everyone in the cabinet are not very good now!" Zhao Tuo sneered secretly and thought to himself, he suddenly guessed: "Li Dan didn't come up with these four words, right? Why did he say this? Rather Ask in your reply.”
Although Zhao Tuo did not meet Li Dan in person, he actually knew that many of the contents in Zhao Chongbi's letter came from Li Dan.
After thinking about it, he ordered for paper and pen. Eunuch Liu hurriedly asked someone to bring in a bed and spread the study utensils on it. Zhao Tuofu wrote a reply to Zhao Chongbi on the case.
As I was writing, I heard an eunuch talking to Eunuch Liu. "What's the matter?" he asked without raising his head.
"Your Majesty, the ministers of the cabinet are asking for an audience outside the palace gate."
The corners of Zhao Tuo's mouth turned up slightly, and he stopped writing and thought for a moment: "Invite them to sit in the front hall for a while and give them tea. I will go over after writing my reply." After that, he continued to bend down at the desk and concentrate on writing the letter.
