The weather in early June is the hottest time of the year.
At the west gate of Bianliang City, there were people from the "Hu Ben Army" maintaining order early in the morning, but they had not yet reached the level of martial law.
Those leaving the city warned them to use other gates when returning to the city, while those entering the city also hurriedly urged them to pass through the city gate quickly.
Every half an hour, a fast horse would come to report back, and Lu Guanying had been guarding the city gate early.
Since following Guo Jing's expedition to Japan, Lu Guanying returned to Bianliang City and has been idle for two years.
Originally, he wanted to go to the Xixia battlefield, but he received an order from Guo Mo, asking him to stay in Bianliang City and be responsible for completing the training of the vacant positions in the "Hu Ben Army".
For this reason, Lu Guanying was given the position of Doctor of the Ministry of War in the Ministry of War, ranking only under the Minister of the Ministry of War and the Minister of the Ministry of War.
Hu Ju, the Minister of the Ministry of War, is already sixty-eight years old this year, and his body is still strong. However, he has suffered from eye disease in the past two years, and it is always difficult to handle the official documents of the Yamen on a daily basis.
With Guo Mo's ascension to the throne two years ago, many important officials in the court have gradually aged. Even the Supreme Emperor Zhao Kuo is already sixty-three years old.
Every time he went to court in the "Taiqing Hall" and saw that most of the important ministers above the third rank were in their 60s, old Zhao Kuo couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
However, he still had to listen to his son's opinions when it came to the adjustment of personnel in important positions in the court. After all, his son was now in control of the Song Dynasty.
In fact, Guo Mo doesn't care much about this. The Song Dynasty is now in a period of recovering development and accumulating strength, and stability is paramount.
Guo Mo paid enough respect to those veterans, especially those civil servants.
The key is that he himself does not have much talent reserves. He has conducted several consecutive imperial examinations in various places and found no outstanding people. At most, they are talents from some counties.
"coming--"
Just after Si Shi, I saw several fast horses running from the west of Bianliang City. There were five "Tiger Soldiers" on the horse, but they also brought back a "Jinyi" man.
"Are you Luo Qi?"
Although he has left "Jinyi" for more than two years, Lawrence Lu still recognized the person coming from "Jinyi" at a glance.
"Haha, the commander-in-chief is Luo Qi. How good are you? I heard that you won another daughter last year. Congratulations -"
If it is true that Lu Guanying has been idle in Bianliang City for the past two years, that is not entirely true.
The disciples of "Dongxie" Huang Yaoshi were all assigned to various places by Guo Mo. There were only a bunch of children left in the family. Except for Yang Guo and Guo Xiang, the others could only be regarded as laying the foundation.
Huang Rong and Zhu Cong were originally teaching the kung fu to those children, but later the "Yue Nv Sword" Han Xiaoying and Li Mochou also joined in.
Huang Yaoshi was mainly responsible for Yang Guo and Guo Xiang. After Lu Guanying settled in Bianliang City, Huang Yaoshi also took over.
After all, he was also a top-notch master and a leader of the third generation of the "Peach Blossom Island" lineage. Naturally, he received more attention from Huang Yaoshi - he served as a sparring partner for Yang Guo and Guo Xiang.
However, despite this, it did not affect that he and his wife Cheng Yaojia gave birth to another daughter, named Lu Jing.
He is the same age as Guo Shi, and even one month older than Guo Shi.
"Luo Qi, where is Your Majesty now?"
Lu Guanying was waiting at the city gate just to greet Guo Mo. He calculated that he should be able to arrive in Bianliang City today.
"General, your Majesty has a decree. There is no need to arrange for anyone to go out of the city to greet you. You can just go to the 'Taiqing Hall' to greet you. Your Majesty's motorcade will arrive in Bianliang in about an hour."
Guo Mo didn't like this kind of welcome and send-off the most, especially since he was now the emperor of the Song Dynasty. If he arranged to go out of the city to greet him, it would be an act of disturbing the people.
"Lu understands what His Majesty means. All the civil and military ministers are waiting at the 'Tai Qing Palace', but the 'Hu Ben Army', as His Majesty's personal troops, should go out ten miles from the city to greet them——"
Hearing that Guo Mo's motorcade would arrive in an hour, Lu Guanying did not dare to neglect, so he ordered a thousand "Hu Ben Army" troops, left Bianliang City, and headed west.
…
"I will pay my respects to Your Majesty——"
In the Taiqing Hall, Guo Mo put on the long-lost dragon robe. He had not been back for more than two years. There were also some new faces in the court, but the old ministers at the front looked old again.
The Supreme Emperor Zhao Kuo did not appear here. Now that his son is back, he still has to bear the responsibilities he should bear.
Zhao Kuo was supervising Guo Yi's studies in his Funing Palace.
Guo Yi also knew that his father was coming back today, but he received a notice from Guo Mo early that he was not allowed to go outside to pick him up, so he did whatever he had to do.
Guo Yi, who is already ten years old, has a slender figure. Although he has practiced kung fu for several years, he is more elegant and elegant, yet still has a heroic spirit.
"Yi'er, your father is back, why don't you go to the front and have a look?"
Seeing Guo Yi practicing calligraphy meticulously, Emperor Zhao Kuo felt very satisfied.
A child who is only ten years old has this rare determination. Compared with other skinny monkeys, Zhao Kuo likes this kind of royal grandson more.
"Grandpa Huang, my father has long said that no one will come to greet you. Now the political affairs should be handled in the Taiqing Hall. After the political affairs are finished, they may come directly to you."
The clear childish voice answered in an orderly manner, which not only distinguished the difference between inside and outside, but also reflected the word "filial piety" between the three generations.
"Haha, you kid——"
While the grandfather and grandson were chatting there, Guo Mo also began to share with the ministers what had happened in Ningxia in the past two years in the "Taiqing Hall".
"My lords, you must have heard a lot about Ningxia. I have published a comprehensive introduction to Ningxia in three consecutive issues in Di Bao."
"However, I would like to say a few more words today. Ningxia is a vast land with few people and a lot of waste waiting to be developed. It is a good place to train people."
"If you have children and nephews who want to join politics or the army, you might as well let them go to Ningxia to train for a few years. It is better than staying in the hinterland of the Central Plains or the rich Jiangnan to grow up and make progress faster."
"In addition, I have appointed Meng Gong, the commander of the 'Dunwu Army', as the general to conquer the west. He will personally lead an army of 50,000 to march westward, and we must defeat the Western Liao Kingdom in one fell swoop."
"Haha, that's the Western Liao Kingdom. The entire territory is several times the size of Ningxia -"
Come to think of it, Meng Gong's army has already launched an attack on the Western Liao Kingdom, and Guo Mo no longer needs to keep this matter secret.
"Congratulations to Your Majesty, the great victory of the Song Dynasty——"
"Congratulations to Your Majesty, the great victory of the Song Dynasty——"
As the new censor Zhongcheng Wei Liaowen shouted loudly, all the civil and military officials in the "Taiqing Palace" also came out to shout.
"The Song Dynasty, and even the previous unified dynasties, were mainly based on farming. However, the current Ningxia, including the Western Liao Kingdom that is about to be conquered, and even other territories that may be acquired in the future, may not be suitable for farming."
"Yue Qing, this is a big problem. I hope that the Ministry of Household Affairs will be the leader to study this problem carefully. If there is no good solution, the value of the newly acquired land will be greatly reduced."
Guo Mo himself has some ideas, but unfortunately they are not yet mature. As the saying goes, one person is short of wisdom, but everyone is wise. For such a national important matter, it is natural to pool the wisdom of everyone.
"I accept the decree. I will send relevant personnel from the Ministry of Household Affairs to Ningxia for a thorough visit. I must give your Majesty an answer within half a year, at least a strategy related to Ningxia."
Yue Ke, the Minister of Household Affairs, came out to play the performance, and Guo Mo was very satisfied.
This is an example of doing things in a down-to-earth manner. Whether it is farming or animal husbandry, you must conduct on-site inspections in order to adapt to local conditions.
Don’t future generations always say those things? Without investigation, you have no right to speak. Everything must be based on reality and analyze specific problems in detail, rather than working behind closed doors and talking on paper.
Of course, this kind of thing cannot be accomplished overnight. Guo Mo glanced at the row of civil servants on his left, and sure enough he did not see Xue Ji, the Minister of Civil Affairs.
He has never been to such an occasion. It seems that Xue Shangshu is ill.
After all, Guo Mo had just come back, and today it was just Guo Mo who declined the greetings of the ministers and convened everyone temporarily in the "Tai Qing Hall". There were not many things to deal with.
After more than half an hour, Guo Mo announced the disbandment of the dynasty, and all the officials filed out of the "Taiqing Hall" and went about their own government affairs.
After the emperor returned to Bianliang, the office efficiency of various ministries and offices was virtually improved.
It is said that the emperor and his courtiers are the same, but our Majesty the Hongwu Emperor has not yet made a big move against the important ministers in the court. Little does he know that these important ministers, even those old ministers, were Guo Mo's "ones" many years ago.
Already.
"Dad, my son is coming to your place for a meal. Are you ready?"
Guo Mo left the "Tai Qing Palace" and did not go to the harem to see his wife and children. Instead, he rushed to the Funing Palace of the Supreme Emperor Zhao Kuo.
However, Murong Yan and Guo Shi went to the harem to meet Huang Rong and the others early under the escort of "Jinyi". The three sisters had not seen each other for many years, and they had endless things to say about themselves.
"You are already an emperor, and you are still making noises. How is it appropriate for you to do that?"
When he saw Guo Mo entering the Funing Palace, he actually took off the fringed hat he was wearing on his head as he walked. This thing looked majestic, but it was awkward to walk on.
"My son, I bow to my father—"
Guo Mo could not abide by the rules, but his son Guo Yi did not dare to be presumptuous. He knelt down in front of Guo Mo and bowed respectfully.
"You kid, why have you become like this? Come to daddy quickly and let daddy hug you."
Seeing Guo Yi kneeling on the ground, Guo Mo suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
This son who was born with Guo Xiang is already ten years old this year. It seems that he has never hugged him?
I have always heard from reports that a few years ago my father sent a doctor of literature to Peach Blossom Island to teach, mainly to teach Guo Yi.
In the past two years, Guo Yi has been taken by the Supreme Emperor Zhao Kuo every day. Now a child who should have been lively and wild has been turned into a "good boy"?
"Daddy——"
Guo Mo's words actually caused Xiao Guo Yi to break through his defense instantly.
Ever since he was a child, Guo Yi knew that his father liked his sister, but since he was the older brother, he naturally couldn't compete with his sister.
However, in Guo Yi's young heart, there was still a trace of loss.
Later, he had several younger brothers. Guo Yi found that his father still only liked his younger sister Guo Xiang, and gradually he got used to it.
But now, his father actually talks to him in such a tone and even says he wants to hug him. Is this because his sister is not here?
Although Guo Yi still had some doubts in his heart, he still stood up obediently and walked to Guo Mo.
"You kid, have you grown so tall? If it weren't for my father's martial arts skills, he wouldn't be able to hold you."
Guo Mo really lifted Guo Yi up, raised it high above his head, and spun it around in Funing Palace several times. Guo Yi also shouted a few times to express his excitement and surprise.
How much weight can a ten-year-old boy weigh?
It only weighs sixty or seventy kilograms. With Guo Mo's skills, even if it is enlarged ten times or twenty times, it will not be difficult.
"Hey, you, you have ruined Yi'er for me right now. I don't know how much energy I have to spend to make up for your destructiveness."
Seeing his son and grandson's mischief in front of him, old Zhao Kuo could only shake his head.
It's strange that he can tolerate and even be happy that Guo Mo, as his son, talks nonsense and behaves in front of his father.
But from the bottom of his heart, he didn’t want his grandson Guo Yi to learn like that. This child would inherit the Song Dynasty in the future!
Guo Mo is already like this, or, in Zhao Kuo's heart, no matter what Guo Mo is or becomes, with his own strength and unique charm, he is enough to defend the Song Dynasty.
In other words, no matter how crazy Guo Mo is, he can clearly control the entire country of Song Dynasty.
But what about the grandson?
Zhao Kuo was speechless, but he didn't know how to persuade his son.
But I was thinking in my heart that it would be better to keep my son away from Guo Yi in the future, and if he wanted Huo Huo, he would find other children. Anyway, there are still several imperial grandchildren.
"Xiao Qi, don't run around again when you come back this time. The progress of the construction of the new palace in Zhongdu City was also mentioned in the report of old Cheng Jue a few days ago. According to the method you mentioned, the construction speed is indeed faster.
Some."
"Among the three main halls, the Hall of Supreme Harmony is almost completed. The Hall of Wuying and the Hall of Wenhua are expected to be completed in May next year. We will also strive to build a dormitory at the same time."
"Looking at it this way, if the time for moving the capital next year is set to the second half of the year, there will be enough time. However, in the next few years, the entire palace will undoubtedly be under construction..."
Zhao Kuo has also seen the sketch of the palace drawn by Guo Mo. It is indeed extremely spectacular, and the construction period will be ten years.
Zhao Kuo didn't understand why his son was so persistent in Zhongdu City?
Even if you don’t want to establish a capital in Bianliang, wouldn’t there be Luoyang City?
Today's Luoyang City, and even the entire Henan Prefecture, is a prosperous scene, and Luoyang was originally the capital of the Han and Tang Dynasties. If the Song Dynasty also established its capital in Luoyang, it would also be able to control all directions.
However, it doesn't matter what Zhao Kuo thinks. What matters is what his son thinks. After all, Guo Mo is now in charge.
"Dad, I know this well, so let's set the time to move the capital in August next year. There is still more than a year left, and my son still has to do something."
Guo Mo weighed it up and found that Zhongdu City has a special meaning to him. Although hundreds of years have passed, his inner feelings can never be let go.
Of course, neither establishing the central capital as the capital nor building the Great Wall can fundamentally solve the security problem of the Song Dynasty.
Only when the country is rich and the people are strong, the officials are clear and honest, and the army is strong, can the long-term peace and stability of the Song Dynasty be guaranteed.
"What are you going to do? Do you still want to leave Bianliang?"
Zhao Kuo knew Guo Mo's temperament very well and understood it very well. After all, his son had grown up in the world, and he could understand if he didn't like to stay in the palace for a long time.
Because of this, he paid so much attention to the education of his grandson Guo Yi and trained him towards the crown prince since he was a child.
"Dad, Taizu and all the kings of the Song Dynasty have only returned half of the Sixteen States of Yanyun that they have longed for, and the other half is still in the hands of the Mongols."
"In more than a year, my son will move the capital to Zhongdu City. Could it be that by that time, the sixteen states of Yanyun will not be fully recovered?"
The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, also called the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, refer to the sixteen prefectures in the north centered on Youzhou and Yunzhou, which are later known as BJ, northern Tianjin, northern Hebei, and northern Shanxi.
Specifically, they are Youzhou, Shunzhou, Ruzhou, Tanzhou, Jizhou, Zhuozhou, Yingzhou, Mozhou, Xinzhou, Guizhou, Wuzhou, Yuzhou, Yingzhou, Shuozhou, Huanzhou and Yunzhou.
Of course, with the change of dynasties, some states have changed their names or even been annexed.
Even so, that hot land is still there, and the descendants of China in the Central Plains still like to call it the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, and are always ready to take it back, just like they have never lost it in these hundreds of years.
What is still in the hands of the Mongols is mainly those states in northern Hebei and northern Shanxi.
"Are you confident about dealing with the Mongolian cavalry?"
When asked this question, Zhao Kuo himself felt a little funny.
In his heart, Zhao Kuo was deeply afraid of the nomads in the north.
Over the past few hundred years, whether it was the Khitans, Jurchens, Dangxiangs or Mongols, they had caused harm to the Han people both physically and mentally.
However, when I look back and think about my son's achievements in front of me, wasn't it built on the corpses of Jurchens and Mongols?
The once glorious Dangxiang people have been completely conquered by their own sons, and even sent tens of thousands of troops to conquer the descendants of Khitan thousands of miles away.
"Haha, dad, you don't have to worry about foreign wars. Today's Mongolia is no longer the Mongolia it was ten years ago. Now, it is estimated that it will be difficult for them to come up with 50,000 cavalry."
"My son plans to go to Zhongdu City in person in the spring of next year. One hundred thousand 'Jingnan Army' will be stationed in Hebei. Isn't it possible to get back the land that originally belonged to the Han people?"
Guo Mo said this, but he was thinking more.
Since the capital is to be built in Zhongdu City, how can we allow others to sleep soundly next to the couch?
Although it may not completely destroy the entire Mongolia, you have to leave a safe distance, right?
Otherwise, it would be possible to attack the capital at any time, so would the Song Dynasty be able to maintain stability in the future?
"Well, since you have made a decision in your mind, just do it as you wish. Hey, I don't know whether I should be lucky or should I consider myself unlucky to meet your son?"
"In the past dynasties, the emperor went out and the prince came to supervise the country. Now it's better. Your majesty, the emperor, is out, but you ask me to supervise the country. Hahaha——"
Although Zhao Kuo said he was not forgiving, his heart was filled with joy.
With a loud voice and a red face, Guo Mo discovered that the old man had mastered the first level of the "Nine Sun Magic Skills" that he secretly taught his father. Who knows when?
Except for the gray hair, he looks like a man in his fifties. Moreover, he has changed from his previous elegant demeanor and now has a much stronger figure.
"No wonder you gave birth to a younger sister for me..."
Guo Mo complained in his heart.
"Xiao Qi, Xue Ji's illness seems to be very serious. Please take some time to check it out. The staff department he is in charge of has a heavy burden. Do you have a backup candidate?"
Although both of them thought that Xue Ji could recover, given his age, even if he recovered this time, he should have a long-term plan.
"Dad, what do you think of Yelu Chucai?"
Guo Mo seems to have already made a plan in his mind.
"Yelu Chucai, since you exchanged him for 300,000 shi of grain, he first served as the magistrate of Xuzhou for one year, and later, he served as the magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture for more than three years."
"In the past two years, I have been in the 'cabinet' and also held the chair of Yi'er. Regardless of talent, qualifications, knowledge, or character, I think he is the best choice."
"Besides, you bought him with 300,000 shi of grain, and his son is your close disciple. I think this person can be of great use!"
Speaking of Yelu Chucai, Zhao Kuo calmly recalled the past few years, especially the past two years. Guo Mo was in Xixia and Zhao Kuo was in Bianliang. Naturally, he knew everything about the affairs of the court.
Although they are all prefects, it is not easy to be the prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture.
There are princes and ministers everywhere, and if a tile falls from the roof, it may hit a powerful person, so many people are not willing to serve as prefects in the capital.
There was a joke in later generations, "If you were not good in your previous life, you will be a county magistrate in this life; if you were evil in your previous life, the magistrate will be attached to Guo; if you are full of evil, you will be attached to the provincial capital of Guo."
From this point of view, if you were to be a prefect in the capital, how much evil would you have done in your previous life?
Of course, if you are really capable and powerful enough to become the prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture, your achievements will be obvious to all.
You may not have seen it, but during the Renzong period of the Northern Song Dynasty, Bao Xiren, who was sitting in the Nanya Government, was famous for his selfless and upright integrity, which made him famous at that time.
Since both the Emperor and the Supreme Emperor were satisfied with Yelu Chucai, the matter was basically settled. However, out of respect for Xue Ji, Guo Mo wanted to ask for Xue Ji's opinion in person when he came to visit him tomorrow.
…
Guo Mo returned to the harem with his son Guo Yi.
Boys over ten years old, whether sons or apprentices, will all be arranged to live in the palace on the east side of the palace after the beginning of this year. The exception is Guo Yi, who lives in the Funing Palace of the Supreme Emperor.
Only a few young sons, Xiao Longnu, Guo Xiang, etc. still live in the harem with Huang Rong and Li Mochou.
Preparations for the welcoming banquet in the harem began early in the morning.
First, he received news from Lu Guanying that His Majesty the Emperor was going to the "Tai Qing Palace" to attend court first, and then he met Murong Yan and Guo Shi who were the first to go.
Huang Rong was naturally extremely affectionate. She even hugged Xiao Guo Shi in her arms and never let go again.
Several of her children have grown up, and the youngest Guo Yao is already five years old.
Murong Yan first apologized for stealing the sword and running away. Thinking of the past, Murong Yan's tears fell again.
"Third sister, let the past be bygones. Back then, when you and I became sworn brothers in the arena of Zhongdu, I dreamed of having this day."
"Unexpectedly, my wish came true. The three of us sisters all married Brother Mo——"
Speaking of this, Huang Rong no longer has the embarrassment or reluctance of the past. Perhaps she has experienced too many things and many people and things have changed.
Even after having so many children, these three are almost thirty years old. Fame, fortune, affection and love are not worth the deep family affection.
Later, another "Jin Yi" came to reply and said that His Majesty the Emperor had already dined at the Supreme Emperor's place.
The three sisters did not wait for Guo Mo anymore, but they also did not order the banquet to start. They just ate some snacks and fruits by themselves, and in their hearts they still wanted to wait for Guo Mo to come over and eat together.
Fortunately, the children had someone to take care of them, and they went to take a nap after lunch. Only little Guo Xiang was pouting, and even though she received a large cart of gifts, it didn't arouse much interest.
"Daddy——"
As soon as Guo Mo entered the harem, Guo Xiang ran over. Seeing Guo Mo holding his brother Guo Yi's hand, the little girl felt a little weird.
But he didn't stop running, and went over to grab Guo Mo's other hand.
Seeing his daughter who he thought about day and night, Guo Mo was a little surprised. This little girl was actually half a head taller than Guo Yi. She looked like a big girl.
"Haha, do you miss daddy? Do you still like that cart of gifts?"
Guo Mo unconsciously let go of Guo Yi's left hand and gently stroked Guo Xiang's hair.
Alas, my daughter has grown so old that I am too embarrassed to hold her in my arms.
"I like it, I just want to see daddy more, and I also want daddy to promise Xiang'er something -"
Little Guo Xiang could tell that the doting in her father's eyes was exactly the same as before, and even a little more enthusiastic after not seeing him for several years.
"Haha, it's rare for Xiang'er to ask for anything, but it doesn't matter."
"Daddy, are you really willing to promise me anything?"
"Of course, no matter what, as long as dad can do it, I can promise you——"
Guo Mo answered so cheerfully, but how could he see that little Guo Xiang's cunning eyes were shining with pride.