Chapter 10 Sharpening the knife towards Jinghu Lake
Zhang Jie followed Zhao Yan, and he had long recognized that this was the civil servant who was accompanying him that day. His pale face showed an impressive meticulousness. After all, he was his immediate boss, and he wanted to establish a relationship.
, but I don’t know how to speak.
As if feeling Zhang Ji's hesitation, Zhao Yan took the initiative to speak, his voice as calm as his demeanor: "Your Majesty should appreciate you very much. The number one scholar is not qualified to serve in Chongzheng Hall, and you are here. I am Qianyu in the fifth year."
Tanhua, when she was first selected to Chongzheng Hall, she was never given such instructions by His Majesty."
Zhao Yao's words made Zhang Xi feel more at ease, and he couldn't help but smile. Of course, what Zhao Yao didn't say was that within a few months of arriving at Chongzheng Palace, he was appointed as a bachelor of Chongzheng Palace, and later as a bachelor of Chongzheng Palace.
Bachelor's order.
In the side hall, more than a dozen Chongzheng ministers were all sitting on their own desks, dealing with the memorial in hand. It was a busy scene. When Zhao Yao walked in, few people raised their heads. The Chongzheng ministers also had their own division of labor. According to the various
The ministries, departments and local states were each responsible for a part, plus military affairs, while Zhao Yue was in charge of the prime minister's affairs.
As for the Chongzheng Langs, they looked ordinary and didn't have any extraordinary beauty. When Zhang Ji came, his average appearance improved. However, the background of these people was not ordinary at all. Zhao Yao will not mention it. Among them were
There are Feng Dao's son, Guo Wei's son, He Ning's son, Fu Yanqing's son...
Walking up to Zhao Pu, Zhao Yan said: "Scholar Zhao, Zhang Jie is here to serve you! He is from Chuzhou, so he can try to get in touch with the affairs of Huaihe and Huaihe first!"
After Zhao Pu returned to the capital from Shu, he was promoted in his actual position. Now he is a bachelor of Chongzheng Palace, officially surpassing the rest of the people in Chongzheng Palace. He is only one step away from his short- and medium-term goals.
"Don't worry Chengzhi, leave it to me!" Zhao Pu was polite to Zhao Yan.
Nodding, Zhao Yao turned around and went to his desk. Looking at his back, the smile on Zhao Pu's face became reserved.
But it soon bloomed again, and looked at Zhang Ji with a smile: "The Tanhua Lang is here, it is really Zhao's honor, please give me some advice!"
You know, Zhao Pu has no fame, and his knowledge is not outstanding. Without Liu Ci's recommendation, if he wants to get ahead, he still doesn't know what kind of opportunity he will have to wait for. After all, Zhao Kuangyin's line is basically strangled to death.
Therefore, Zhao Pu's mood was a little complicated for those who came from Jinshi, especially those with high status. It was even more interesting for someone like Zhang Ji who could go directly to Chongzheng Hall.
However, with Zhao Pu's city, Zhang Jie could not notice it at all. Facing a leader with such a humble attitude, Zhang Jie quickly said humbly: "Bachelor, I have spoken harshly. I am a fledgling and short-sighted. You are the senior, and it is my responsibility to pay attention."
I respect you and study hard!”
"Tanhualang has a bright future!" Zhao Pu laughed after hearing his words.
For some reason, Zhang Jie always felt a little guilty when he saw Zhao Pu's smiling face.
"That desk is yours!" Zhao Pu said, pointing to one of the empty desks behind him.
"Yes!" Zhang Ji bowed his hands and said proactively: "I don't know what matters, but the juniors can take care of them for me. The bachelor can give you any orders!"
Although he was positive, Zhao Pu responded with a smile: "No rush! No rush! I heard that His Majesty met you by chance in the market when he was traveling. Good luck! Can you tell me about it?"
I don’t know whether he was deceived by Zhao Pu’s humility or because of the well-hidden complacency in his heart. Zhang Jie really briefly described the situation that day.
...
On the twenty-seventh day of the third month, the emperor went to the Guangzheng Hall, where all the prime ministers and privy councilors, as well as the imperial commanders of the two government offices, were present to discuss the matter of taking over Jinghu.
"Let's talk about the situation in Jing Lake first!" Liu Chengyou walked there, looked around, waved his hand, and said directly.
The person presiding over the meeting was Guo Rong. He obeyed the order with a little joy in his eyebrows and said: "Jingnan is a small country with insufficient troops and difficult to refine weapons. Although the harvest is abundant, in recent years, the accumulation has become more violent and the king is cowardly and greedy. Huan, I am facing north and away from my heart, so it is not difficult to get it."
It can be seen from Guo Rong's attitude and tone that Jingnan Gao didn't take him seriously at all, and other civil and military officials also had similar attitudes and expressions of approval.
Noticing this situation, Liu Chengyou frowned, but he was too relaxed and had a arrogant heart, which was not good. He couldn't help but said: "Although Jingnan is weak, it still has more than 20,000 navy and army troops, and the city of Jiangling is strong. If he chooses to resist stubbornly, , is also a big obstacle. Even if we can break it, I'm afraid it will delay the journey south to Hunan, giving Zhou Xingfeng more time to prepare to deal with it! It's better not to underestimate Jingnan too much!"
"Your Majesty is right! I am being arrogant!" Guo Rong directly accepted the emperor's reminder. After all, he made sense.
With his arrogance subdued, Guo Rong continued: "The only thing to worry about when going south is the Hunan Zhou Dynasty. They stationed 10,000 troops in Langzhou. The intention of the northern resistance is obvious. Last year, when there was a great famine in Hunan, they opened warehouses to provide relief. It is so popular that it is almost impossible to defeat the enemy without a fight. The only way is to fight all the way. As long as we capture Langzhou and then Tanzhou, Hunan can be secured.
According to reports, Zhou Xingfeng seemed to be aware of the imperial court's movements and was amassing troops, building armor and fortifying the city. The Military Intelligence Department found out that Zhou Xingfeng also secretly sent people to contact Fu Yantong, the barbarian chief of Xuzhou. It means to offer support.
In addition, since March, there have been changes in the troops and horses in Tanzhou. Although the movements are hidden, I still found some traces through my careful work. Zhou Xingfeng is mobilizing troops and horses to Hengzhou!
I have analyzed it with other officials in the Privy Council and concluded that Zhou Xingfeng might have planned to go south to capture Jingjiang's army and Zhang Wenbiao first to eliminate the back problem!"
Listening to Guo Rongzhi's narration, the important ministers present all looked more serious. Although Jingnan is nothing to worry about, Hunan, it seems, is not that simple at the moment. If one is not careful, it may get hurt!
Wei Renpu said: "This week we met, and he is also a hero, with a strong sense of worry! We wanted to stir up the situation in Hunan with a statement, so he went south first to eliminate future troubles, and then tried his best to deal with the court. He is very effective!"
"I have sent someone to remind Zhang Wenbiao to be more vigilant and on guard!" Guo Rong continued, shaking his head: "However, in the past few years, Zhang Wenbiao has become increasingly slack, imposed excessive taxes, and became centrifugal. The people are very angry. Even if Zhou Xingfeng doesn't launch a surprise attack and attacks with an upright division, Jingjiang's army will still be unable to resist! Zhang Wenbiao is definitely no match for Zhou Xingfeng!"
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"I also received a piece of news! Zhou Xingfeng also secretly sent people to Jinling to request to buy grain from Jiangnan. Li Jing also agreed and gave him 30,000 shi of grain from Jiangxi in exchange!" Liu Chengyou spoke in a solemn tone: "The situation in Hunan is already very clear. Zhou Xingfeng is not just waiting for death. He is already actively planning to fight against Wang Shizai and prevent the Han from unifying the world!
This is absolutely not allowed! The Zhou family is secretly treacherous, domineering, and disobedient. It is obvious that the situation is getting increasingly urgent. The court must take decisive measures to eliminate it, relieve the difficulties of the people in Hunan, and restore peace to the people. ..."
When Liu Chengyou said these words, he really didn't blush at all, and his face was full of dignity. He completely forgot that it was he who wanted to go south and annex Hunan. Even though it was nearing the end of the separatist era, Zhou Xingfeng rose up to fight, and there was nothing worthy of criticism. .
Of course, might makes right, and Hunan's attempt to resist was a crime for the Han court and should be eliminated.
"How is the imperial court preparing for war?" Liu Chengyou asked immediately.
Guo Rong said: "The left wing of the cavalry army has arrived in Xiangyang to protect the saints. More than 10,000 soldiers from the two armies of Fengguo have arrived in Dengzhou. The Xiaodi army is ready to leave. In addition, Cai, Deng, Xiang, An, and Ying The five states have also gathered tens of thousands of soldiers!"
Wei Renpu continued: "The armor and uniforms required by the officers and soldiers have all been changed, and the food and ordnance have begun to be transported southward. One hundred thousand dendrobium grains have been stored in Xiangyang City, and they are still being replenished, and we plan to prepare two hundred thousand grains!"
Xue Juzheng was very clear about his position and responsibilities, and directly guaranteed: "The third division will do its best to raise food and wages in preparation for the army's crusade!"
"The Central Secretary has issued an official document, instructing all states and counties to recruit 30,000 civilians to prepare for military use!" Fan Zhi said.
It can be seen that the preparations on the Han side have reached a relatively mature stage. The chariot has already been launched and is just waiting to advance at full speed.
"Zhongshu, we need to prepare the officials who will go to Jinghu, so as not to be in a hurry after taking over!" After thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou looked at Li Tao and Fan Zhi, and said arrogant words in a calm tone.
"Your Majesty, be prepared to go south to lead the army!" He said to Murong Yanzhao again.
"yes!"
"When will it be launched? Does the Privy Council have a plan?" Liu Chengyou asked Guo Rong.
Guo Rong said with certainty: "The original plan was for Zhang Wenbiao to raise troops in Guizhou, and the court took the opportunity to intervene. But judging from the current situation, Zhang Wenbiao is not enough to protect himself, and it is even more difficult to take the initiative to provoke trouble. If Zhou Xing waits, The action is not under the control of the imperial court. Therefore, regardless of whether Zhou Xingfeng can make up his mind to deal with Zhang Wenbiao first, the imperial court only needs to wait for the troops, horses, food and equipment to be ready before sending troops!"