It would be unfair to really denigrate Wang Zhaoyuan to the point where he has no merit. No matter what, he is indeed a very smart person. His views on everything can be justified, and his vision and insight do have their merits. If Meng Chang was truly a mediocre person, no matter how stupid he was, he would not still trust him and entrust him with military and political affairs when he suffered successive defeats and the national situation was urgent.
Wang Zhaoyuan's problem is probably that he has high vision but low skill, lacks practical talents, knows himself but does not know the enemy, and takes everything for granted. With his thinking and eloquence, even if he were in front of Liu Chengyou, he might be able to talk freely with him without any hesitation...
At this time, seeing the hesitation on Meng Chang's face, Wang Zhaoyuan said again: "Your Majesty, it is far from the time for peace talks. The Sichuan Road is high and dangerous, and the sword pavilion can be blocked by one man and ten thousand people cannot open it. As long as the people's hearts are cheered, it is enough to resist the Han soldiers.
Furthermore, negotiating peace at this time is tantamount to begging for peace. How much humiliation must your Majesty endure? How much loss must Shu endure to make the Northern Han Dynasty stop its troops? Your Majesty must take a warning from the story of the Southern Tang Dynasty two years ago!
The Southern Tang Dynasty had the danger of the Yangtze River and the advantage of the navy, but it could not be used to its full potential. It humiliated the country by losing its troops and ceded territory to seek peace. Our court has favorable geographical advantages and natural dangers, so how can we negotiate peace without a fight?
The Northern Han Dynasty caused a war and invaded my country from the south, killing my children and destroying my home. All the soldiers and people of Shu hated them with gnashing of teeth. The public sentiment is surging, and in order to protect our homeland, we must generously go to the national disaster and defend the enemy outside the pass..."
No matter what, Wang Zhaoyuan's slogan can always be shouted loudly. Seeing his upright and awe-inspiring face, Meng Chang seemed to be infected, and a hint of excitement flashed in his eyes.
"Your Majesty!" At this time, Prime Minister Wu Zhaoyi stood up and said with cupped hands: "In the past few years, due to the war in the north, I have lost a lot of troops, horses, money and food. Even after years of accumulation, the national treasury has been exhausted. Privy Wang has a general plan , The ambition is commendable, but the required public and financial resources are really difficult for the country to support. Your Majesty will build the Crystal Palace..."
"That's enough!" Meng Chang interrupted Wu Zhaoyi loudly like a rabbit whose tail had been stepped on, and said angrily: "I have been governing Shu for twenty years and raising scholars. The country is rich and the people are prosperous. However, when the country is in crisis, it is not enough? It's simply It’s ridiculous, the imperial conquest of the Han Dynasty is a matter of life and death. As for the money, food, weapons, and people’s power, the imperial court must provide it without any shortage. Otherwise, I will not be lenient.”
As he said that, he looked at Wu Zhaoyi, Li Hao, Ouyang Jiong and others, and said sternly: "You are the prime ministers, uphold the government of the country, receive the emperor's salary, and receive the country's favor. In these troubled times, I do not ask you to work hard and devote yourself to thinking. I hope you can fulfill your duties and be worthy of your conscience!"
He looked at Wang Zhaoyuan again, and said seriously with the same unpretentious words: "This winter, the troops, horses, weapons, and defenses must be perfect. I don't want to hear any more reports of defeat!"
"Yes!" Judging from Meng Chang's attitude, it was obvious that he was still on Wang Zhaoyuan's side, but it also put a lot of pressure on him.
Just as he was about to break up the discussion, an emissary came to the palace in a hurry. When asked, the answer was that Zhao Jizha, the Xiongwu Jiedu envoy, had fled back to Chengdu.
After hearing this, Meng Chang became even more furious: "Does he still have the nerve to return to Chengdu? I paid him with a powerful army, but he did nothing and watched the success or failure. As a general, he abandoned his robe and fled back privately. Such a person should be left here." What’s the use?”
For the monarchs and ministers of Shu, although Li Tinggui lost consecutive battles, he was at least still resisting and fighting hard. In comparison, this Zhao Jizha seemed too incompetent, sitting on a large army, doing nothing, abandoning his troops and returning.
Therefore, no one spoke and interceded on his behalf. Prime Minister Li Hao had a good relationship with Zhao Jizha, and he did not dare to say anything under such circumstances.
"Zhao Jizha was in a state of embarrassment. He knelt at the palace gate and asked to see His Majesty!"
"What's the use of seeing him?" Meng Chang flicked his sleeves vigorously, his handsome face full of ferocity: "Do you want me to listen to his detailed description of how he was defeated and how he abandoned the army?"
"Publish the imperial edict, escort Zhao Jizha to the entrance of the market in a carriage, and behead him to show the power of the army and to clarify the law of the country?" Meng Chang gave the order directly.
"Your Majesty, Zhao Jizha is guilty of his crime, but if he decides the case without trial, does it mean..." After hearing this, Prime Minister Ouyang Jiong couldn't help but speak.
Turning his head away, Meng Chang looked like he had lost his patience and said: "Does this person's crime still need to be judged? Send the edict immediately and execute it without delay. Don't say more!"
"yes!"
After pondering for a while, Meng Chang said again: "The imperial edict was sent to the Xingyuan Mansion to seize the title of Li Tinggui and demote him to the rank of general, and keep him in front of the army. Use Zhao Chongtao as the defense capital in the north to command the armies in Hanzhong and resist the invasion of the Northern Han Dynasty!"
Originally, Meng Chang planned to severely punish Li Tinggui, but after Zhao Jizha's comparison, he changed his mind. Li Tinggui could not escape the blame for his defeat, but his actions and deeds in the north were still heard, and he was considered to have done his best. Now, it was the time to employ people, and there was a shortage of generals. Meng Chang finally gave him a chance to make meritorious service, hoping that he would realize his shame and be brave enough to kill the enemy and avenge his shame.
"Your Majesty still trusts Wang Zhaoyuan and pays it with military and political power. If this continues, the country will be in danger!" After the disbandment of the dynasty, two veteran ministers went hand in hand, Li Hao said with emotion.
Wu Zhaoyi was dressed in luxurious clothes and looked a little helpless when he heard what he said: "Apart from Wang Zhaoyuan, who else in the entire dynasty can take charge of military affairs and win the favor of His Majesty? Who else has the courage and ability to do this? Come to take over military affairs and fight against the Han army?"
Hearing this, Li Hao couldn't help but shake his head: "I have already told your majesty that the Northern Han Dynasty is powerful and invincible. Let's fix it now to ensure peace!"
Looking at Li Hao, Wu Zhaoyi's eyes flickered, and there was something strange in his old eyes, as if he was saying to himself: "Wang Zhaoyuan's remarks and opinions are actually reasonable. The Central Plains are strong, and the Han rulers are greedy and violent, so they will inevitably seek unification. Sooner or later, we will be invaded by troops from Sichuan and Shu. How can we allow our country to settle here?
It's a pity that there are millions of people living in Shu. We have been at peace for a long time, and it will be difficult to regain peace! Since the defeat of the North, many refugees in Xingyuan Mansion and other places have fled south!
The difficulties faced by the country's treasury can be clearly seen. Your Majesty still wants to recruit soldiers and prepare military equipment. Maybe it won't be long before everyone in the court has to cut back on food and clothing! "
Hearing Wu Zhaoyi's emotion, Li Hao subconsciously touched his jade belt and the jade ring on his hand. The country was in trouble and the territory was uneasy. They, a group of high-ranking officials and ministers, were equally uneasy even though they were still well-dressed and well-fed.
"The imperial court should give full support to the military armament, and the enemy must be kept outside the country!" Li Hao said firmly.
"Money and food are essential for everything. How can we replenish the losses in the national treasury?" Wu Zhaoyi sighed.
After being silent for a while, Li Hao said: "We can only raise taxes to raise military funds. The national crisis is at the forefront, and the people of the country should take action and work together to resist the enemy!"
A cool breeze blew by, not very cold, but Li Hao couldn't help but shiver. Looking up at the sky above the Shu Palace, it was all pale, and his thoughts were drifting away. The current situation of the Shu Kingdom reminded him of the late Shu period. Although the politics of Later Shu were not that chaotic and gloomy, the number of foreign enemies was even greater than that of Later Tang.
The officials' hearts were in a state of confusion, and Meng Chang's mood never got better. His face looked a little haggard, and the situation in the north made him extremely anxious. He had not slept peacefully for a day since Liang Quan's defeat was reported to the south.
After a leisurely stroll, I arrived at the Maha Pond. Looking around, I could see a brand new palace rising from the ground above the pond. After thinking about it last year, Meng Chang ordered the construction to escape the summer heat.
Now it has reached a large scale. Although it has not been completely completed, its luxury and luxury can be seen. In particular, those main halls have nanmu as pillars, agarwood as pillars, coral inlaid windows, jasper as doors, and the surrounding walls are not made of bricks and stones, but inlaid with glazed pearls. The inside and outside are transparent, and they shine day and night, so they are called the Crystal Palace.
However, now that the palace is about to be completed, there is no time to enjoy it with Mrs. Huarui, and the national crisis has come. At this time, although Meng Chang was a little slack, he had not yet completely fallen.
The cold wind was blowing, his clothes were fluttering, and he looked at the extremely extravagant Crystal Palace. Meng Chang suddenly became sober. Considering his years of hard work and frugality, and thinking about the difficulties of national affairs, he couldn't help but feel some guilt in his heart, which was very strong.
"Your Majesty, it's very windy and cold by the pool. It's better to go back to the palace!" The attendant took the initiative to step forward and put a fox fur on Meng Chang. He said with concern. Seeing him staring at the palace, he also said: "It won't be long before Your Majesty and I are together." Concubine Hui will be able to move into the Crystal Palace..."
Hearing this, Meng Chang couldn't help but frown. He looked at the scene outside the Chishang Hall where greenery was still being planted and the red bridge was being built, and he couldn't help but open his mouth. There was such an impulse that he wanted to order the Crystal Palace to be demolished to replenish military supplies, but in the end he could not be cruel.
After all, so much money, food and treasures were spent, and such a high price was paid, it would be a pity to destroy it directly. After a long time, Meng Chang tightened his fox fur and said solemnly: "I pass on the order. From now on, the expenses in the palace will be reduced. The finances of each palace will be distributed according to the first year of Guangzheng!"
