The Song army failed to restore the Guanhe defense line. After the Yellow River froze in winter, Bianjing was unable to defend and was easily besieged by the Mongolian cavalry.
From a military perspective, Zhao Fan felt that without the cooperation of the Bashu and Jingchu generals, the old Huaihe troops occupying Bianjing would be in a very dangerous situation.
Therefore, Zhao Fan intends to withdraw his troops.
Zheng Qingzhi considered it politically. He didn't want to be the second best in Han Dynasty, but he definitely couldn't let Song Jun give up the results of entering Luo last year.
If the Song army retreats to Huainan, it will declare that his main battle strategy has failed, and all that is waiting for him is to quietly go out.
At the moment, Zheng Qingzhi can only continue to strengthen Bianjing's defense, and then integrate Shandong's troops to resist the Mongolian counterattack in winter.
In this way, he could secure Bianjing and gain two thousand miles of land in Shandong, so that he could secure his position and have the opportunity to gradually suppress the Shidang, control the entire Southern Song Dynasty, and then launch a counterattack.
Zhao Fan listened to Zheng Qingzhi's words and said worriedly: "My lord, the situation in Shandong is quite complicated, and we need Guorui to lead the people in Shandong to assist the court in defending Mongolia. My lord wants to take over Guorui's power at this time, can he agree to it?" Will it cause chaos in Shandong?"
Zheng Qingzhi drank a cup of tea and felt quite confident about this, "The last time we sent out troops, neither Jinghu nor Bashu obeyed orders! If the land of Shandong is not taken into the hands of the imperial court as soon as possible, it will inevitably become a separatist regime. By then, you and I will both have it. Responsibility. Now that Mongolia threatens to attack and destroy the remnants of the Jin Kingdom, Guorui has no choice but to accept the true conditions."
Zhao Fan thought for a while and nodded slightly. With Li Quan's matter at hand, he was also worried that Shandong would be divided into military towns.
In addition, Zhao Tai poisoned Tuo Lei, and the Mongols wanted to kill him quickly. Even if the court forced him to hand over power, he would not defect to Mongolia.
In this case, taking over Zhao Tai's power and giving the court the ability to control the Shandong army would definitely bring more benefits than harm to the court.
Zheng Qingzhi saw that he seemed to accept his words, and then said: "Wu Zhong can rest assured. Guorui is a member of the clan. If he is loyal to the Song Dynasty, he will naturally accept our conditions. If he does not accept, it means that he has bad intentions. Will, what Ben Xiang did is even more correct. In fact, Ben Xiang also considered it for him. If he monopolizes power in Shandong, he will be criticized by officials, and he will inevitably end up like Privy Di. Now that he hands over power, he will definitely be able to get a civil service I have a good impression, and there will definitely be glory and wealth in the future.”
As a military minister, Zhao Fan understood the difficulty of being a military attache in the officialdom, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart, "My husband's words are reasonable! I hope Guorui can understand my husband's good intentions."
While the two were talking, a clerk suddenly came in from outside the door and reported, "My lord, there is a man coming from outside the yamen. He claims to be Wang Wentong, a staff member of the Jiedu Envoy of the Zhongyi Army, and wants to see my lord!"
Zheng Qingzhi raised his eyebrows, "Say Cao Cao, Cao Cao is here! Let him in!"
After Wang Wentong boarded the ship from Haizhou, he arrived in Lin'an in only ten days.
Zhao Tai owns a lot of property in Lin'an. He stayed at a chain inn, cleaned up a little and came to hand over the greeting card.
Not long after, Wang Wentong entered the study and saluted the two of them, "Wang Wentong, a common man, pays homage to Prime Minister Zheng and Prime Minister Fan."
Zheng Qingzhi waved his hand and said politely, "Since you are a guest under Guorui's command, please take your seat without courtesy!"
Wang Wentong thanked him and then sat upright. Zheng Qingzhi continued to ask: "Guorui sent you here for what purpose?"
"Ms. Sir!" Wang Wentong said: "Jiedushi sent me here just to determine the title early."
Zheng Qingzhi smiled, then looked troubled, "This matter is urgent, and we know the truth. However, many ministers in the court have a lot of discussions and objections about how to recruit him!"
Wang Wentong said: "My lord, since ancient times, when guarding the river, we must guard the Huaihe River, and Shandong is a barrier on the Huaihe River. With Shandong in hand, the barbarians cannot peep south. The imperial court's move to pacify Shandong will bring hundreds of benefits without any harm. Please give me a clear warning."
"The truth is, naturally, I hope to appease Shandong as soon as possible, but ~" After saying this, Zheng Qingzhi winked at Zhao Fan.
Zhao Fan understood that Zhao Tai was a capable general. Zheng Qingzhi did not want Zhao Tai to be dissatisfied with him. In the future, the main war faction would also drive Zhao Tai and his tribe, so Zhao Tai could not be allowed to know that it was Zheng Qingzhi who was suppressing him. Conditions of recruitment.
"Mr. Wang, right?" Zhao Fan said, "You can't complain about this matter, Mr. Zheng.
, He is the official in charge of the court, and he clings to the ancestral system. They wrote to the officials, claiming that Shandong was appeased, officials were appointed under Guorui's rule, and all state and county taxes must be collected by the court. In addition, the imperial court will also send supervisory troops to assist Guorui in reorganizing Shandong troops! "
Wang Wentong was shocked when he heard this. It didn't mean that after three years of hard work, all the results would be given to the Song Dynasty.
Zhao Fan waved his hand, signaling Zhao Fan to stop talking, and then looked at Wang Wentong, "Last year, he failed to enter Luo. His dignity was damaged and he was unable to lead the court. Such conditions may be a bit harsh for Guorui, but Guorui is I, the loyal minister of the Song Dynasty and the Empress of Taizu, have to obey the imperial court’s advice for the sake of the overall situation, so as not to lose glory and wealth.”
Wang Wentong heard what he said and knew that Zheng Qingzhi was trying to persuade the Zhongyi Army to accept Lin'an's recruitment conditions.
If even Zheng Qingzhi had this attitude, it would be difficult for the Zhongyi Army to persuade the Southern Song Dynasty to change its attitude.
Thinking of this, Wang Wentong could only resort to delaying tactics, "My lord, it's not that Jiedushi is unwilling to accept it, but that the Mongolian attack is imminent. At this time, the change of power will make people in Shandong unstable, and I am afraid that there will be civil strife. Then Mongolia will be able to persuade Mongolia." , even if Jiedushi was loyal to the Song Dynasty, it would be difficult to protect his generals, Wuxian and Li Fen, who would be unable to withstand the temptation of interests and switch to Mongolia."
After saying this, Wang Wentong glanced at the two of them and said, "Jiedushi is dedicated to serving the country. Even if the court does not grant a reward, he is willing to hand over Shandong. However, the time is not yet ripe. We can first determine the name and accept Shandong's heart, and wait for the attack. Retreat to Mongolia and then try to conquer it."
Zheng Qingzhi stroked his beard. Now Zhao Tai relied on the Song Dynasty. If the Mongols were defeated and Zhao Tai's strength further increased, it would be difficult to reduce the vassal state.
Zheng Qingzhi had already made up his mind, but he sighed and said: "The Prime Minister is also worried about the Mongolian invasion, but the Prime Minister is not the only one who can control the sky above the court. At the moment, the Prime Minister will try his best to convince the officials and courtiers that you should also go back to Shandong and let Guo Rui Overcome the difficulties, and then consider the conditions of the court. If this matter has not been decided before Mongolia goes south, when Mongolia invades Shandong, someone in the court may oppose the truth and reinforce Guorui!"
Wang Wentong's heart trembled, and he understood the threat contained in it. Just as he was about to speak, Zheng Qingzhi yawned, "I'm exhausted today, so let's stop here!"
"Ms. sir!" Wang Wentong stood up quickly and wanted to continue his statement.
Zhao Fan stood up and took Wang Wentong with him, "I'm tired, sir, let's talk some other time!"
While talking, Zheng Qingzhi had already left his seat and retreated into the inner hall to rest.
