On the second day of May, Zhao Yang and Gao Ruona led the Tianwu Fifth Army to finally arrive outside Weizhou City after passing through Pizhou and Jingzhou.
When the soldiers guarding the city saw the flag of Tianwu's Fifth Army, they hurriedly reported it to Zhang Kang, the prefect.
Since Bianjing had sent an order in advance to inform the local prefectural roads, Zhang Kang had also learned that the imperial court would temporarily send two additional "Shaanxi Fourth Road Economic Strategy Recruitment and Appeasement Envoys" in the near future. The envoy was Gao Ruo Na, the deputy envoy is Zhao Yang, who is in charge of military and state affairs in Shaanxi.
But why the two chief and deputy envoys came was not mentioned in the official document. It was only known that these two chief and deputy envoys came with the Tianwu Fifth Army. Therefore, when a sergeant reported that a forbidden army had come outside the city to attack the Tianwu Fifth Army, After raising the flag, Zhang Kang guessed that the two envoys, Gao and Zhao, had arrived.
So Zhang Kang hurriedly led dozens of state government officials out of the city to greet him.
When Zhang Kang and his party arrived outside the East City Gate, they immediately saw Gao Ruona standing next to two carriages. In view of the pomp and circumstance surrounding Gao Ruona, who was followed by fifty followers, Zhang Kang and others immediately He then guessed that this person was Gao Ruona, the chief envoy sent by the imperial court, and hurriedly stepped forward to salute and greet him: "May I ask if you are the senior deputy privy minister?"
When Gao Ruona saw Zhang Kang and others, he immediately guessed the identity of the other party, so he took out the ultimatum, official certificate and the certificate of appointment issued by the court from his arms, and handed them to Zhang Kang.
Zhang Kang took it carefully, carefully confirmed that it was correct, and quickly handed it back to Gao Ruona. He led the officials from all the prefectures behind him and saluted: "Xiagguan Jingyuan has deployed and transferred envoys, and knows Weizhou Zhang Kang. He has met Gao Xianggong."
"Hmm." Gao Ruona nodded slightly with an air of dignity, completely different from how he treated Xia Song.
Of course, Zhang Kang did not dare to complain and asked cautiously: "I wonder where Deputy Ambassador Zhao is?"
Gao Ruona said expressionlessly to the Tianwu Fifth Army in the distance: "Here."
Zhang Kang and others looked up into the distance, but they didn't know who Deputy Envoy Zhao was. When he was at a loss, Zhang Kang suddenly saw a handsome flag with a huge word "Zhao" written on it, but there was no sign of "Zhao". A flag with the word "high".
Huh?
Just when Zhang Kang was secretly wondering, Zhao Yang, who was in the distance, had finished communicating with the Zhong brothers about setting up camp, and led Fan Chunren, Wen Tong, Wang Zhongzheng and others towards this direction in large strides. When they got closer, they took a closer look. After a few glances at Zhang Kang, he smiled and asked Gao Ruona, "Is this Zhang Zhizhou?"
"Yeah." Gao Ruona nodded slightly.
So Zhao Yang also took out his ultimatum, official title and appointment certificate issued by the court from his arms, and handed them to Zhang Kang.
Zhang Kang stared at Zhao Yang blankly for a while, then stepped forward to take it. He first opened Zhao Yang's official certificate and took a look, almost gasping in shock.
Tongzhilang, a doctor from the Ministry of Industry, gave advice to Shizhong and Yousi, and also served as the commander of Tianwu's fifth army. He was specially given the title of Fu Zi and Fu Fei...
Good guy!
Zhang Kang was shocked and speechless, feeling that most of his life had been in vain.
Think about it, I am fifty-one years old this year, and I have just become a military attache from the fifth rank of regiment training. However, the young man in front of me, who seems to be only fifteen or sixteen years old, is already a civil servant from the sixth rank... Don't look at Shan Lun He is one level higher than his opponent, but don't forget that this young man also holds the post of commander of the Tianwu Fifth Army, one of the "Shanghai Four Armies". "Shaanxi's Deputy Envoy for Economic Strategy, Recruitment and Appeasement", together with Gao Ruona, was in charge of the management, recruitment and appeasement of Shaanxi's military and state affairs. He was responsible for both military and political matters in Shaanxi, and his powers were boundless compared to his.
Sighing secretly, Zhang Kang quickly handed over the ultimatum, official certificate, and appointment certificate to Zhao Yang. He bowed his hands respectfully and said, "Zhang Kang, the original capital deployment and transfer envoy of Xiaguanjing, who knows Weizhou, has met Deputy Envoy Zhao." .”
Seeing Zhang Kang's somewhat reserved attitude, Zhao Yang smiled and comforted him: "We are all one of our own, Zhang Zhizhou doesn't need to be polite. When I came here, I asked for talents from Fan Xianggong, and Fan Xianggong recommended Zhang Zhizhou to me..."
This young gentleman is actually close to his old boss Fan Xianggong?
Zhang Kang was stunned for a moment, then Zhao Yang pulled Fan Chunren and smiled at Zhang Kang: "Brother Chunren can bear witness for me."
Fan Chunren raised his hands and said to Zhang Kang, "Fan Chunren has met Zhang Shishu."
"You...could it be..." Zhang Kang was even more surprised.
Fan Chunren said with a smile: "My father's surname is Fan Xiwen. ... When my father was in Shaanxi in the past, I lived in Wu County on the Liangzhe Road. However, I had heard my father mention Uncle Zhang Shi in his letters, and I finally had the honor to meet him today."
When he learned that Fan Chunren was actually Fan Zhongyan's son, and that he called himself Uncle Shi, Zhang Kang was surprised and happy, with a rosy face. Even the officials behind him were secretly happy.
Surprised, Zhang Kang cautiously probed: "Yamen and Deputy Envoy Zhao..."
Zhao Yang smiled and briefly introduced Fan Chunren and Wen Tong: "Brothers Chunren and Wen Tong are both my staff and military advisors, my right-hand man."
Seeing Fan Chunren smiling, Zhang Kang immediately understood and felt secretly happy.
Both he and the Weizhou officials behind him were afraid that the special envoy sent by the imperial court would be difficult to serve, but now they were overjoyed to see that deputy envoy Zhao actually had a good relationship with their old boss Fan Zhongyan, even though this young man Just a deputy envoy, not a chief envoy.
Obviously at this time, they have not yet seen clearly who is commanding whom between Zhao Yang and Gao Ruona.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Zhang Kang raised his hands and said to Gao Ruona and Zhao Yang: "You two, how about we go into the city and go to the prefecture government office to discuss it in detail?"
Gao Ruona glanced at Zhao Yang and remained silent. Zhao Yang smiled and nodded: "Okay."
"...Please." Zhang Kang, who saw the clues, was a little confused, but he didn't say anything. He raised his hand to invite Gao Ruona, Zhao Yang and others to enter the city.
While entering the city, he found an opportunity to ask Fan Chunren privately: "My dear nephew, I think there is something wrong with the relationship between Prime Minister Gao and Deputy Ambassador Zhao, Uncle Shi..."
Fan Chunren said cryptically: "Jing Xing... is the deputy envoy Zhao. He took the initiative to ask for a tassel from the officials to go to Shaanxi. However, because he was too young, the officials sent Gao... Xianggong as the envoy, and Jing Xing as the deputy envoy. If there was no disagreement, Jing Xing would have given Mr. Gao the respect he deserved."
Zhang Kang secretly shouted, "What a guy!"
The deputy envoy Zhao has a greater background than the envoy!
After sighing secretly, he asked curiously: "What is the background of this young Mr. Zhao?"
Fan Chunren shook his head and said: "Although I have good relations with Jing Xing, I can't say much about some gossip about him. Uncle Shi only needs to know that he is highly favored by the officials."
"Oh." Zhang Kang nodded repeatedly.
About a quarter of an hour later, Zhang Kang and others invited Zhao Yang, Gao Ruona and his party to the state government office to discuss matters in the side hall.
At this time, Zhang Kang naturally did not dare to sit on the main seat, and Gao Ruona actually did not dare either. He was afraid of making Zhao Yang unhappy and embarrassing him in public. However, Zhao Yang did not care about small issues such as seating and saw Gao Ruona frequently. He looked at the seat of honor and then at himself, and said with a smile: "Sit down, Mr. Gao, no one is stopping you."
After that, he sat down on the first chair on the east side.
Seeing this, Gao Ruona sat down on the main seat with peace of mind, and raised his hand to signal Zhang Kang and other officials to sit down.
Except for Zhang Kang, all the other Weizhou officials looked at each other in confusion because of what had just happened: Why did the deputy envoy dare to sit down before the chief envoy sat down?
Just when they were wondering, Gao Ruona coughed and spoke first: "This time, Deputy Ambassador Zhao and I came to Shaanxi on orders from the official family to deal with the issue of household registration for the Tibetan people inside and outside Shaanxi. This matter It concerns our Song Dynasty’s future strategy against Xia, so we can only succeed and not fail!”
Zhang Kang and other Weizhou officials were stunned, and did not bother to explore the relationship between Gao Ruona and Zhao Yang. Zhang Kang immediately handed over his hands and said: "The imperial court has made a decision, and the subordinates dare not question it, for fear of Xixia's intervention..."
"It doesn't matter." Gao Ruona sneered: "When we arrived, the Khitan happened to send an envoy to Bianjing to state its intention to attack Xixia. Counting the days, the Khitan's 200,000 troops may have invaded Xixia, and Xixia will have too much time to take care of itself. How dare you intervene in this matter and offend me, the Song Dynasty again?"
Zhang Kang suddenly realized it and said excitedly: "This is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity... I wonder if Mr. Gao and Deputy Envoy Zhao have any specific arrangements?"
Gao Ruona glanced at Zhao Yang and saw that the latter had no reaction, so he continued to say seriously: "In my name, I will immediately send someone to inform the three routes of Yanyan, Huanqing and Qinfeng, and order the envoys of the three routes to rush to Weizhou as soon as possible. Let’s discuss this matter. Wait... Xihe Road and Lin Mansion will also send people to inform them."
Hearing the word "Linfu", Zhao Yang glanced at Gao Ruona but didn't say anything.
"Yes." Zhang Kang accepted the order with his hands raised, then looked at Zhao Yang and asked, "Do you have any instructions from Vice Envoy Zhao?"
Zhao Yang stretched out two fingers and said with a smile: "I have two things to trouble Zhang Zhizhou. First, on the way to Shaanxi, I promised my imperial army, logistics soldiers, and civilians to reward them with wine and meat when they arrive in Shaanxi. Lao Zhizhou prepared at least 2,500 lambs, another 2,500 catties of mutton, 200 jars of wine, and 500 cash in cash for me."
Zhang Kang opened his mouth, looked at Gao Ruona and then at Zhao Yang, and smiled dryly: "Well, the cost... is not small at all. I wonder if it will be included in the minister's money?"
Gao Ruonaquan didn't seem to hear it, but Zhao Yang responded: "Just remember my name when it comes to the envoy's money. I will send someone to inform the Third Division's Transfer Department and ask them to deduct the credit. In short, it will not aggravate Weizhou." burden."
"Yes." Zhang Kang secretly gasped at Zhao Yang's tone, and at the same time secretly glanced at Gao Ruona. Seeing that the latter had no reaction, he believed Fan Chunren's words more and more.
"Secondly, Guo Kui, the governor of Jingyuan Road, asked him to come to the state government office to see me."
"Yes." Zhang Kang understood and immediately guessed that his old boss Fan Zhongyan must have recommended Guo Kui to Deputy Envoy Zhao.
Later, Zhao Yang talked with Zhang Kang about the garrison location of the Tianwu Fifth Army. Since Zhao Yang's request was to be close to Weizhou, Zhang Kang had no choice but to say that there was no suitable old stronghold outside the city, so he could only let the Tianwu Fifth Army build a new one. A camp.
After talking about business, Zhang Kang mentioned that there was a banquet for Zhao Yang and Gao Ruona in a restaurant in the city. Zhao Yang did not refuse, but just asked: "If tonight, Governor Guo will be able to return to the city?"
Seeing Zhang Kang nodding, Zhao Yang agreed.
Later, Zhang Kang took Zhao Yang and Gao Ruona to the vacant official residence in the city to arrange accommodation for the two, and then went to buy wine and meat for Zhao Yang to reward the fifth Tianwu Army.
Gao Ruonei followed him all the way to the official residence arranged by Zhang Kang for Zhao Yang. After Zhang Kang left, he invited Zhao Yang to a room to talk alone.
"Zhao Sijian, when you and I come to Shaanxi this time, we have a heavy responsibility. In order to better fulfill the official entrustment, I think the division of labor should be clearly defined in advance, for example, who should be the leader between you and me."
Hearing this, Zhao Yang couldn't help but feel happy: "You didn't mention it all the way. I thought you could endure it for how long."
Gao Ruona's face darkened, and he said righteously: "The honor and disgrace of Gao is a matter of great importance to the imperial court. Although Zhao Sijian is young and promising, he still lacks experience. Therefore, I hope that Zhao Sijian will take me as the leader and listen to him." I'll take charge, okay?"
Zhao Yang raised his eyebrows and looked at Gao Ruona, nodding: "Okay, I will listen to your command, but you also have to listen to my command."
"What? Nonsense!"
"Well?"
Seeing Zhao Yang's eyes widening, Gao Ruona suddenly felt guilty and quickly changed his words: "I mean, wouldn't this be confusing again?"
Zhao Yang looked at Gao Ruona with a half-smile but said, "That's it, I'll listen to you for small things, and listen to me for big things, how about that?"
Gao Ruona did not dare to refute, and frowned and asked: "What is a big thing? What is a small thing?"
Zhao Yang's smile suddenly faded: "Shaanxi Fourth Road, there is no small matter!"
"..." Gao Ruona was so angry that his beard trembled, and Wang Zhongzheng, the only one standing by, almost laughed out loud.
"Okay, it's just a joke." Zhao Yang waved his hands and said seriously: "In this way, you will arrange the detailed discussions and division of labor on household registration and the division of labor. I will be in charge of the military. In the next few days, you will meet with those managers. Envoy, I asked Zhang Kang or Guo Kui to lead them around Jingyuan Road to see the specific terrain of the area..."
Gao Ruona also guessed what Zhao Yang wanted to do, so he quickly put away his anger and nodded in agreement.
"By the way, where are those people that the Privy Council sent to conduct on-the-spot investigation?"
"This..." Gao Ruonei stroked his beard and thought: "In terms of terrain, the Jingyuan Road is the weakest among the four Shaanxi roads. The survey envoys sent by the Privy Council came to the Jingyuan Road first, but what happened at this moment? Where it is located, you have to ask Zhang Kang..."
Zhao Yang nodded and said: "Then I leave this matter to you. You have to find those surveyors and ask them to come to me with the survey results."
"Okay." Gao Ruona nodded in agreement.
He is now the Councilor for Political Affairs and Deputy Privy Envoy, so naturally he also has the authority to order officials sent by the Privy Council.
After the two parties agreed on the division of labor, Gao Ruonei also removed one worry and took a thousand yuan with him to the official residence where he was temporarily staying. Zhao Yang, Fan Chunren, Wen Tong, Wang Zhongzheng and others stayed in this temporary residence. After a rough walk around the residence where they settled, they immediately left the city and returned to the Tianwu Fifth Army to discuss building a camp with Zhong Shen and others.
Around noon, the governor Guo Kui, who was leading troops on patrol outside, received the news sent by Zhang Kang and hurriedly led his troops back to Weizhou City. He saw Zhang Kang who was preparing food and drinks for Zhao Yang to reward the troops. He wondered: : "Zhizhou summoned me in a hurry, but I don't know what's important? Who are these sheep?"
Zhang Kang said with a smile: "Your opportunity has come. ... The special envoy sent by the imperial court this time, his deputy Xiao Zhao Langjun, made good friends with Fan Xianggong. Fan Xianggong recommended you and me in front of him. I will tell you later. Take you to see him."
After saying that, Zhang Kang immediately led Guo Kui to meet Zhao Yang in the Tianwu Fifth Army outside the city.
After meeting each other, Zhao Yang was quite surprised. After all, he had thought that Guo Kui was probably like Zhang Kang, at least nearly fifty years old. He did not expect that Guo Kui was unusually young, only twenty-seven years old this year.
You must know that this person was appreciated by Fan Zhongyan nine years ago. How old was he then? Just eighteen years old!
Isn't this a good example of a general? !
Based on this, Zhao Yang's evaluation of Guo Kui greatly improved, and his attitude became more enthusiastic. He smiled and said, "After that, Guo Dujian will be by my side temporarily to help me answer my questions about Shaanxi. How about it?"
Zhang Kang and Guo Kui agreed wholeheartedly.
Immediately, Zhao Yang called Zhong Di, Zhong Consultation, and Zhong E to meet Zhang Kang and Guo Kui. The Zhong brothers were originally from Shaanxi, so the two sides naturally hit it off.
At this time, Zhao Yang handed Fan Zhongyan's autographed letters to Zhang Kang and Guo Kui respectively. After reading them, the two were filled with emotion and excitement. The emotion was because Fan Zhongyan still thought about his old subordinates many years after he was transferred from Shaanxi, and the excitement was because Fan Zhongyan still thought about his old subordinates after being transferred from Shaanxi. In the letter, he not only mentioned that Zhao Yang was the only civil servant in the court who was "equal in both civil and military affairs", but also said that Zhao Yang had defeated Xia's ambition to conquer Liao.
Zhang Kang and Guo Kui understood the situation and immediately expressed their opinions: "We are willing to do the hard work of dogs and horses!"
As a result, Zhao Yang gained two generals who were good at fighting, and Zhang Kang and Guo Kui also gained a strong backer, and everyone was happy.
