In fact, no matter whether it is the Xiongnu at first, the Turks after that, or the Khitan now, they are still quite successful in diplomacy. They are not the reckless image that people imagine, doing things without saying a word.

Even the Jurchens later destroyed the Liao Kingdom through diplomacy.

In the early days of the founding of the Song Dynasty, that is, during the period of Taizu Taizong, the purpose was to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, so the Liao State adopted the strategy of supporting Xixia and checking and balancing the Song Dynasty.

However, after the Chanyuan Alliance, the relationship between the Liao State and the Song Dynasty eased, and there was a conflict with the Xixia Dynasty. That is, during the Li Yuanhao era, the diplomatic strategy changed to reducing support for the Xixia Dynasty and strengthening its relationship with the Song Dynasty.

However, Li Yuanhao was also very smart. With the successive victories over the Song Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty, he immediately improved the relations with the two countries, thinking that he knew that the little Xixia could not fight against the Liao Kingdom and the Song Dynasty at the same time.

In the post-Li Yuanhao era, the Liao Kingdom saw the Song Dynasty taking frequent actions and Xixia showing weakness, so it adjusted its policy and began to support Xixia, while maintaining a close relationship with the Song Dynasty.

Try to let the Song Dynasty lose its national power on the Xixia land, thereby maintaining the Liao Kingdom's advantage over the two countries.

Why the Song Dynasty couldn't destroy Xixia, it really doesn't mean that it can't win. After all, the national power can crush Xixia, and consumption can kill Xixia. It's because as long as the Song Dynasty sends a large-scale army to Xixia, the Liao Kingdom will inevitably mobilize heavy troops on the border and go south at any time.

However, since most of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were in the hands of the Liao State, the Song Dynasty had to hoard heavy troops for defense, which required a lot of financial expenditure.

At the same time, there was also the consumption of Sui coins on the Song Dynasty's finances.

The Song Dynasty would never be able to attack Xixia with all its strength. No matter whether it started a war or not, it would always face the dilemma of fighting on two fronts.

This time the Song Dynasty made such a big move in Xihe, how could the Liao Kingdom watch helplessly as the Song Dynasty slowly encircled and suppressed Xixia? It was necessary to send people to take some action.

The disaster situation has just eased a bit, otherwise, Zhao Xu really suffered from depression, and when something went wrong, everything would come to him.

What a mess.

But even so, Zhao Xu still felt very stressed. The key was that the Xihe area was still at war, and the outcome was unknown at the moment.

Zhang Fei also felt the pressure that Zhao Xu was under, so he said: "Your Majesty, between countries, we cannot hope that Liao will show great kindness, or that thinking of old feelings, let us destroy Xixia, others would do the same

Do it, it has nothing to do with morality, it is only about interests.

Therefore, I always advise Your Majesty to be prepared to deal with both countries at the same time in case of emergencies, but you must also use diplomatic mediation to try to avoid our military fighting on two fronts."

Zhao Xu nodded slightly and asked: "Then how do you think I should respond?"

"Strong."

Zhang Fei said: "Whether it is externally or internally, your Majesty should be more powerful now, otherwise, you will be attacked from both sides and front like three months ago. Anyway, Your Majesty has decided to switch to defense on the Western Front and has no plans to attack Xia now.

, then there is no need to worry too much about the Liao Kingdom taking advantage of the fire, we will put out the fire ourselves first."

Zhao Xu nodded and said: "You are right. Fortunately, I listened to your suggestion. Otherwise, we will be controlled by the Liao Kingdom again. However, don't talk about this matter for the time being. This is currently from the Imperial City Division.

They don’t know the news yet, lest those people get lucky again and cause trouble for disaster relief.”

Zhang Fei nodded, "I understand."

After talking with Zhao Xu, Zhang Fei came out of the palace and got on his carriage. With a slight smile on his lips, he said to himself: "If a system has not experienced the tempering of war, it must be

It won’t be stable.”

Li Si outside the car suddenly said: "Third brother, where are we going now?"

Zhang Fei said: "Go home."

"yes."

After working for a while, the carriage suddenly stopped.

"What's up?"

Zhang Fei opened the curtain and saw an inspector standing beside the carriage.

"Prosecutor Zhang, Chief Prosecutor Xu wants you to go to the prosecutor's office."

"I know."

...

When I arrived at the procuratorate, I saw Xu Zun and Lu Dian sitting inside.

"Prosecutor Zhang is here."

Lu Dian stood up and bowed.

Zhang Fei bowed his hand in return and asked again: "What happened?"

Xu Zundao: "It's like this. Recently, those students discovered that some officials were taking advantage of the disaster to take bribes."

Zhang Fei was surprised: "Really?"

Lu Dian said: "Prosecutor Zhang, it is very common for someone to fish in troubled waters during a disaster."

"I know." Zhang Fei nodded and said: "I'm just surprised that those corrupt officials were a little too arrogant and didn't cover up, and they were found out by a few chicks. This is what I remember.

Corrupt officials are different!"

"Well...."

Lu Dian was speechless.

Xu Zundao: "Don't worry about these things for now. The key is that there are many contradictions in the punishment of corrupt officials. The main reason is that every previous monarch has issued edicts in response to this situation. Some are very loose and only demote.

But some are very strict and require death penalty treatment. If there is only one person, it will be easier for us to make a decision, but when there are more people, we must act in a standardized manner."

Zhang Fei pondered for a while and said: "Our procuratorate should be stronger and prosecute all with the strictest punishment. The death penalty is the death penalty. Anyway, the final verdict is not our procuratorate. In this way, we can force the Legislative Council to legislate on this."

Xu Zun's eyes lit up, he nodded and said, "This is a good idea."

Suddenly, a civil servant came to the door and said, "Prosecutor Zhang, Mr. Wang is here. He said he has something to ask you."

"Why are there so many things going on today?"

Zhang Fei muttered softly.

Xu Zundao: "Go and see what's going on first. We'll talk about it later."

"yes."

...

"I came to you today because I want to ask your opinion on something."

Wang Anshi got straight to the point.

Zhang Fei hurriedly asked: "What's the matter?"

Wang Anshi said: "It's about coal."

"coal?"

"Um."

Wang Anshi nodded and said: "According to the observations of the Third Division and the Ministry of Household Affairs, we found that coal has become in short supply recently, but usually this situation only occurs in late winter. The reason for all this is because of business prosperity."

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Zhang Fei suddenly remembered that Hou Donglai had also said this, nodded and said: "I have heard about it too."

Wang Anshi said: "If business becomes more prosperous in the future, the demand for coal will definitely increase a lot."

Zhang Fei said: "Does Master Wang want to control coal?"

Wang Anshi nodded and said: "Although many coals are currently mined by merchants and wealthy gentry, in fact, according to the system, Shanze fishery belongs to the imperial court.

During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, a high tax was levied on coal, which resulted in a sharp decrease in the amount of coal coming to the capital. Taxation was not feasible and the only option was for the state to mine it itself."

The country will earn this money, so get out of here.

Zhang Fei said: "But the salt system has told us that mining by ourselves will only breed corruption."

Wang Anshi said: "Aren't you under the supervision of the public prosecutor and the law?"

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Tell Bachelor Wang a little secret. We have discovered that during this disaster relief process, many people were fishing in troubled waters and taking bribes."

Wang Anshi was shocked and said: "Seriously?"

Zhang Fei said: "At present, they are just some petty officials and officials."

Wang Anshi frowned.

Your sister's.

Taking advantage of the disaster to commit corruption, you just don’t give me, Wang Anshi, face!

Zhang Fei added: "What I want to say is that people die for money and birds die for food. The public prosecutor and the law cannot suppress their inner greed."

Wang Anshi asked: "Then what do you suggest?"

Zhang Fei said: "Same as distilled koji, it is funded by the state and cooperates with businessmen to mine it, but it must be fully led by the businessmen. As for taxes, you must pay them, but they are also collected from profits. All taxes and other expenses are exempted.

, This can reduce the cost of coal mining and promote business prosperity."

Wang Anshi nodded.

...

Not long after nightfall.

Han Mansion.

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty."

With the support of his son, Han Qi slowly walked out of the back hall and was a little surprised when he saw the young man sitting in the hall.

The person who came was none other than the emperor.

The emperor suddenly came to his home, and it was still at night. This was really scary.

Han Qi thought, he also took out all the food from my family. I have been very low-key recently!

Seeing Han Qi, Zhao Xu immediately stood up, stopped Han Qi who was about to salute, and asked with concern: "How is Mr. Han's health?"

Han Qi hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is concerned about me. My health is better than before, but this stubborn disease is difficult to cure!"

Zhao Xu said: "Xiangong Han must take good care of his health. I still need Xianggong Han's assistance."
To be continued...