It was midsummer in the fourth year of Emperor Qianyou's reign in the Northern Han Dynasty.
In the inner hall of Jinling, Li Jing, the Lord of the Tang Dynasty, and several ministers who were working on poetry and articles were having a banquet, and looked at the emotions they showed, and they looked very happy.
In the splendid inner hall, vessels are used to hold the hidden ice in the palace, and cold smoke rises, creating a comfortable environment in this hot summer. After taking a swig of the ice-cold wine and a few more sips of the "ice and snow bayberry syrup", Li Jing felt so refreshed that it was almost written on Li Jing's face.
The Lord of the Tang Dynasty, Li Jing, summoned his ministers to have a banquet this time, not for daily enjoyment, but for celebration. Mainly to celebrate two aspects of news. One is that the situation in Hunan is becoming more and more optimistic; the other is that Beihan is in trouble.
"Your Majesty!" Feng Yansi stood up with a glass of cold drink. First, he glanced at Han Xizai, who remained calm and elegant, and said to Li Jing: "The news has been confirmed. The Northern Han Dynasty's war preparations in the past two months are all to prepare against the Khitan invasion from the south. Rather than what some people worry about, they have other agendas.”
"According to detailed investigation, the Khitan people have intensified their attacks on the borders of the Northern Han Dynasty since this spring. Now the whole Han court is in a state of turmoil. They are bent on heading north and are unable to care about it. The affairs in Hunan will be safe in our court!"
At first, the great commotion of the Northern Han Dynasty preparing for war could not be completely concealed, so there was another strange sound in the Southern Tang Dynasty Hall. Still led by Han Xizai, Li Jing was advised to be vigilant and be more alert, especially at the border between the two countries.
After a period of thinking, deduction, and comprehensive information from all aspects, Han Xizai finally thought in the direction that frightened him. The Northern Han Dynasty aimed at Huainan.
However, when he rushed to Li Jing and the officials of the Southern Tang Dynasty to warn him, he aroused the ridicule of Feng Yansi and others, and even Li Jing found it a bit whimsical.
In any case, since the two countries sent envoys to each other to repair relations and make good relations in the second year of Qianyou, the Northern Han Dynasty has always shown goodwill towards the Southern Tang Dynasty. Along the Huaihei border, trade between merchants from the two countries became increasingly prosperous. The salt and grain from the north of the Yangtze River and the silk brocade and tea from the south of the Yangtze River made the bureaucrats and merchants of the Southern Tang Dynasty earn huge profits.
After the Northern Han Dynasty proposed the idea of "separating Chu", the relationship between the two countries became more like "love and adultery". It was Feng Yansi and others who took the lead in sending troops to capture Hunan. If Han Xizai raised his "delusion" at this time, Feng Yansi and others immediately seized on him and criticized him for ignoring national affairs due to political disagreements.
Therefore, Li Jing, who had a soft ear, was somewhat dissatisfied with Han Xizai. Although he did not scold him, he never listened to his suggestions on national policy.
That day, Han Xizai was so miserable that he could not control himself. After leaving the palace, he was so distraught that he burst into tears. He sighed and said: Why is it that the envoy Song Gong is in the court?
The Song Gong he was talking about was Song Qiqiu, the founding father of the Southern Tang Dynasty and known as the "first counselor". Although Song and Feng Yansi were in the same party, Han Xizai still admired his intelligence and strategic vision, and believed that he could also see that something was wrong.
It's a pity that Song Qiqiu has been sent to Hongzhou as a military governor for several years. Now he is far away from the center and has to prepare grain for the western expedition. What is interesting is that Song Qiqiu was demoted to Hongzhou precisely because of a party dispute with the Jiangbei scholar group represented by Han Xizai.
But this time, with the good news coming from the north, Han Xizai's worries turned into unfounded worries.
Ma Zai from Song and Feng's party, and Wei Cen, the admonishing doctor, also stood up and said with a smile: "Now the Northern Han Dynasty has too much time to take care of itself. Even if they really have ambitions for our country, there is no need to worry. Hunan Ma Xi "Calyx, everyone is about to betray their relatives and leave, and the people's hearts are lost. If we can attack, we will certainly be able to spread the message and expand the territory thousands of miles."
Even Han Xizai, who was sitting alone at the table, looked much calmer and seemed to have temporarily put aside his doubts. The monarchs and ministers of the Southern Tang Dynasty are celebrating with their foreheads at this time. It is probably their destiny to love the Tang Dynasty.
"Okay! Okay! Okay!" Li Jing was smiling all over his face. He even shouted "Okay" a few times without hiding his weakness. Then he hesitated and said, "Send troops now?"
Although he had the intention to make contributions, from beginning to end, Li Jing seemed hesitant every time he made a decision.
Seeing that the emperor's old habit had returned, Feng Yansi immediately advised: "Your Majesty, the two generals Bian and He have been stationed in Yuan and Hubei for nearly two months. Chariots, horses, boats, grain, grass and military equipment are also being allocated one after another, enough to supply the army for three months. Use it. Wang Kui and Zhou Xingfeng, who stole Langzhou, also accepted our appointment. Considering the current situation in Hunan, we can make up our minds."
"In addition, it is said that when the leader of the Southern Han Dynasty heard about the Chu rebellion, he also sent troops and horses to the border to see his intentions. I am afraid that he wants to take all the land south of Lingnan. Therefore, our court must not hesitate to prevent the opportunity from being missed and the Southern Han Dynasty The army took the lead."
Feng Yansi was impatient, but the hesitation in Li Jing's character became more and more obvious. He put down the wine glass, thought about it for a while, and said slowly and calmly: "Since the land of Ma Chu can be obtained easily, there is no rush. ,hold on."
Seeing the Tang Lord's reaction, Feng Yan was about to say something when he heard him say: "There is a food shortage in Huainan and hungry people are everywhere. It is better to wait until the hunger is relieved."
Last year, the weather was unfavorable and the harvests in various parts of Huainan were poor. This year, Huainan, which has rich soil, has experienced a food shortage. The taxes imposed on the lower classes in the Southern Tang Dynasty were actually very heavy. After paying the taxes, they were basically enough to survive. And just this spring, the Southern Tang court began to prepare for the attack on Chu, and mobilized a large number of people from the official warehouses in Huainan. food.
All situations came together, which resulted in a large number of hungry people in Huainan. Along the Han border, many people from Huainan crossed the Huaihe River to beg for food. In response to this situation, Liu Chengyou issued an edict to release small amounts of grain for relief in Dahanzhou County along the Huaihe River. All hungry people who went north and were willing to stay would be registered on the land for resettlement. Those who are willing are not forced to stay, and are allowed to go south and return to their hometown.
No matter what choice he makes, it is not a bad thing for the big man. It was just a small amount of food. Liu Chengyou did not engage in loss-making business. He was even more looking forward to returning to Huainan to promote the benevolence and righteousness of the Han Dynasty to the hungry people, so as to attack their hearts before his military expedition. After all, the officials of the Southern Tang Dynasty were not so "generous" when it came to providing relief.
As for the merchants of the Southern Tang Dynasty who went north to buy grain, Liu Chengyou also issued an edict. There was no need to hinder them and they were allowed to buy, but there were no restrictions on the price. No matter how high the price Huainan merchants pay to buy grain, they will definitely sell it at a higher price after they bring it back...
Li Jing did not notice the evil intentions hidden by the Northern Han Dynasty, but praised his benevolence and righteousness. At this time, he mentioned the hunger in Huainan and said: "In this way, send envoys to the north with gifts to thank them for their help in Huainan. In addition, I will ask them to send troops to divide Chu!"
"Your Majesty, are you trying to test the Northern Han Dynasty again?" Feng Yansi seemed to have figured out what Li Jing was thinking.
Li Jing did not deny it, his eyes seemed to shine brightly, and there was a little joy between his eyebrows. He seemed to be excited about his wisdom. He raised his hands and said: "When the autumn grains are put into the warehouse, Khitan or We also mobilized troops to go south. At that time, for our court, it was absolutely foolproof."
"Let Bian Hao train in Yuanzhou and prepare for attack."
Li Jing seemed to have made up his mind. Feng Yansi thought about it for himself, and it seemed to make sense, and he was not stubborn in admonishing him. After all, the emperor rarely had his own opinions. It was not a smart person to argue with him in this situation.
"By the way, Your Majesty, I have one more thing to report!" Feng Yansi suddenly said.
"Please tell me!" Li Jing was slightly curious.
"The Jiangsai border card reported that an official ship borrowed the passage from Wuyue to enter the river, saying that it was escorting Princess Wuyue to Kaifeng north to marry Liu Chengxun, King of Huaiyang of the Han Dynasty! The guard did not dare to let it go without authorization, and has already detained it. Please ask the imperial court!" Feng Yansi! road.
Hearing this, Li Jing was not only puzzled: "Wu Yue paid tribute to the Central Plains and took the sea route. How could he show off and take advantage of our country this time?"
Feng Yansi said: "In my opinion, Wu Yue wanted to use this to demonstrate to our court and show his marriage friendship with the Northern Han Dynasty!"
"Huh!" He snorted softly. Li Jing seemed to be disdainful of Qian Hongchu's little action and said: "Let us pass the order. It just so happens that the envoys are heading north together to congratulate him!"
"Your Majesty is generous!"
