Qin Hui had been back in Beijing for a long time, but he never had a chance to return to his life. This was because Song Huizong was busy dealing with Wang Fu's affairs recently, so he had no time to talk to him... Song Huizong was a famous brothel emperor in history.
In his mind, women are the top priority. In his opinion, it doesn't matter if a day or two is late for any state affairs.
Now that Wang Fu's matter has come to an end, Song Huizong remembered Qin Hui and Han Shizhong and prepared to discuss merits and rewards tomorrow.
Coincidentally, Song Huizong was like this, and Li Qi was not like this. He was busy with corruption these days and had no time to talk to Qin Hui. He felt very guilty, so he invited Qin Hui and Han Shizhong to his manor in the western suburbs today.
Let’s be late for the feast.
"General Han, please take a seat quickly."
As soon as Li Qi saw this general who was famous for later generations, he immediately greeted him warmly and invited him to sit down. The hospitality was very thorough. For a person like Han Shizhong, you may not understand him, but you cannot help but respect him.
Han Shizhong is now an unknown person. To be honest, he is a martial artist at best. Seeing that the prosperous economic envoy in front of him is so enthusiastic about him, he can't help but feel flattered and at a loss.
After the three of them sat down, Li Qi immediately raised his glass and said: "General Han, I'm really sorry. I've been busy with trivial matters recently and haven't been able to visit. I apologize. I don't drink. I can only express my gratitude over tea."
apology."
The more Han Zhizhong listened, the more confused he became. You, a dignified third-rank official, actually apologized to me, a martial artist. Even if it was a polite way of saying it, it was not like that. He quickly raised a glass to greet him and said repeatedly: "I don't dare, I don't dare, my lord."
Strong words."
Li Qi drank it all in one gulp and said, "I've heard General Han's name for a long time, but seeing him today is far better than hearing about it!"
Han Shizhong was not afraid in the face of thousands of enemies, but Li Qi's polite words made him completely confused. This is obviously my line, but now it comes from your mouth. It's weird.
He said again: "How dare you, how dare you." He didn't know what to say.
As Li Qi talked, he saw Han Shizhong sweating profusely and said with a smile: "General Han, you don't need to be so reserved."
Qin Hui stroked his beard and said: "Sir, you are so enthusiastic, how can General Han not be restrained?"
Li Qi suddenly realized it and thought to himself, this is really the sequelae of time travel. After all, he is not the kind of person Wang Fu is, so he should communicate on official business. So, he changed his strategy and started asking them about their gains from their trip to Jiangnan.
The two told the truth.
Sure enough, Han Shizhong became more relaxed and talked more when talking about official matters.
Li Qi pondered for a moment and said: "Now that the corrupt officials have been almost eliminated, do you think there is anything else that needs to be improved immediately?" He only has one brain, and it is no longer enough to think about so many things every day. He is now more inclined to
Listening to other people's suggestions saves effort and is useful.
Han Shizhong said: "Han's trip south this time sounds like he has wiped out countless bandits, but in fact it is a minor achievement, because they are just a mob, and they are simply vulnerable. However, it is these mobs that have left the local government helpless.
It’s really puzzling.”
Li Qidao: "I wonder what General Han has to say?"
Han Shizhong sighed: "In our Song Dynasty, only the Western Army can fight well, but I believe that if this continues, this Western Army will be destroyed sooner or later."
Li Qi was shocked and said: "How can you say this?"
Han Shizhong said: "Although we have many armies in the Song Dynasty, there are only a few that can be used. Whenever there is a war, the first thing the court thinks of is always the Western Army. To conquer Fangla in the south, we will send the Western Army to conquer Liao Kingdom in the north.
, but they are also the Western Army. The Western Army is stationed in the northwest, and the main enemy they face is the Xixia Army. Therefore, the tactics they usually practice are almost all aimed at targeting the Xixia Army. The climate between the north and the south is very different, and they face different conditions.
Enemy, the Western Army has no geographical advantage if it goes, and your tactics are useful for the Xixia soldiers, but they may not be applicable to other armies. As a result, the Western Army has suffered huge losses in recent years. Unfortunately, the Southeast Army has long existed in name only. In addition,
Fangla's rebellion made things worse and was dispensable. Therefore, Han thought that the court should reorganize the Southeast Army and the Heshuo Army. Only a strong army can provide a safe environment for the people. Only in this way can the economy make a difference.
Only the new law can guarantee this.”
Because the most powerful enemies of the Song Dynasty were in the north, and horses were produced in the north, the strongest armies of the Song Dynasty were all in the north. Originally, Heshuo's army was pretty good, but due to military and political affairs, it was reduced to useless and unable to fight.
It's a good thing to hold back.
Qin Hui, a layman, nodded frequently when he heard this. No matter how powerful the army is, it will be defeated sooner or later if it wastes its money.
Yes! This is really a very serious problem. I can't place all my hopes on the Western Army. If something goes wrong, then I will lose everything. Li Qi rubbed his tea cup and suddenly said:
"General Han's words are reasonable, but I wonder if you are willing to take on this important task?"
Han Shizhong was stunned. In fact, that's what he said. He had already given up hope on the court. He never expected that Li Qi would agree immediately.
Li Qi added: "To be honest, reorganizing the Southeast Army has been in my plan for a long time, but I have never found suitable talents. If General Han is willing, it would be great."
Qin Hui frowned slightly and said: "My lord, as the commander-in-chief of the three yamen, although you have the power to command troops, you do not have the power to mobilize troops. If you want to reorganize the Southeast Army, you must obtain the consent of the Privy Council."
Li Qi smiled confidently: "You can rest assured. Since I said so, I am 100% sure. It just so happens that Cai You is not around now, so there will be less trouble."
Han Shizhong clasped his fists and said, "Thanks to Commander Bu, I am willing to take on this important task."
"Then let's drink to the powerful Southeast Army tomorrow."
After drinking and eating, Han Shizhong left first, but Qin Hui stayed. Li Qi stood in front of the window holding a cup of tea. After a while, he suddenly said half-jokingly: "Qin Hui, you have made great contributions to this trip south.
, I wonder what reward you want?"
Qin Hui, who was standing behind him, was slightly startled, not daring to answer hastily, and began to ponder.
Li Qi was not in a hurry and waited patiently.
After a while, Qin Hui said: "Money and land."
These four simple words made Li Qi admire him. He was born to be an official. He smiled and said, "Don't you want to be promoted?"
Qin Hui said: "Everyone wants to rise to the top, but there is a saying that a big tree attracts the wind."
"clever!"
Li Qi smiled and said: "My current position is very sensitive, and the power in my hands has reached a critical point. If it increases again, I am afraid that I will be like Wang Fu, and everything will be reversed at the extreme. Therefore, I can only wrong you. In fact, with your talents
, whether it is the Ministry of Education, the Privy Council, or even the Three Divisions, they are all competent."
Qin Hui said: "My lord, please rest assured. I still understand this. When we discuss merits and rewards tomorrow, I will put the Zheng family and the Bai family in front."
"If everyone was like you, it would be much easier for me." Li Qi chuckled. In fact, he kept Qin Hui just because he wanted him to be more restrained and not to be greedy for credit and let the Zheng family and the Bai family have deep-rooted power.
The family is responsible for all this
On the morning of the second day, Qin Hui reported truthfully what he had gained from his trip to the south of the Yangtze River. Since Han Shizhong was a military commander and his status was not high, he was not qualified to enter the palace, so he could only wait for rewards outside the door. After hearing this, Song Huizong first punished those corrupt officials
The dirty official gave severe criticism and educated the ministers in a long speech. Then it was time to reward the officials based on their merits.
However, Qin Hui was very low-key at this time and gave the credit to Zheng Yi and Bai Qiannuo. Bai Qiannuo was a woman, so her credit naturally went to the Bai family. Bai Shizhong heard Song Huizong's praise of Bai Qiannuo.
, I was very pleased. Of course, the Zheng family was also very proud.
The other ministers also came out to praise Zheng Yi and Bai Qiannuo. They said that there were no dogs in the tiger's gate and women were not allowed to be inferior to men. They deliberately weakened Qin Hui's achievements. In fact, this was exactly what Li Qi wanted.
So, in the end, Qin Hui received some rewards, and his official position remained unchanged. He still stayed in the Bureau of Commerce to assist Li Qi. He was like this, let alone Han Shizhong.
At this time, Li Qi suddenly stood up, saluted and said: "To your Majesty, I have a brief report."
When the ministers saw Li Qi, their hearts trembled.
Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty asked: "What do you have to report to your beloved?"
Li Qidao: "It's like this. Since General Han came back, businessmen from the capital have come to the Commerce Bureau one after another to express their concerns!"
Song Huizong snorted and said, "This is strange. What does Han Aiqing have to do with them when he returns to Beijing?"
Li Qidao: "The ministers in front were also surprised. After questioning, they realized that they were worried about the safety of their lives and property. They all believed that the reason why Fang La thieves appeared in Jiangnan, as well as the prevalence of bandits and bandits, was
, the army south of the Yangtze River was still incompetent, so they begged the ministers to report to the imperial court and send the Western Army to station in the south of the Yangtze River to protect them."
"It doesn't make sense."
Song Moquan immediately stood up and said: "The Western Army wants to guard the northwest border for our Song Dynasty, how can it go to protect merchants like them? Isn't this putting the cart before the horse?"
Li Qi immediately said: "What Scholar Song said makes sense, and I told them the same thing, but they said that if even the most basic safety cannot be guaranteed, how can this business be done? When I think about it, it's true.
, General Han only brought so many troops, and he had only been down to the south of the Yangtze River for a few days, but the number of bandits he had wiped out was staggering, which shows the difference in the capabilities of the garrison in the south of the Yangtze River. Although the scale of those bandits was small, for merchants, they were
It is fatal. People have worked hard to earn money all their lives, and suddenly it becomes clean and slippery, and they may even lose their lives. This is too risky."
Song Moquan said: "Now that the thieves and bandits have been eliminated, what else do they have to worry about?"
Li Qi smiled and said: "There is a saying that wildfires will never burn out, but spring breezes will blow them again. The southeastern army is so incompetent, it is inevitable that those bandits will resurrect. Think about the Fangla Uprising. It was not strong at the beginning, and it was just a group of rabble. It is because
The incompetence of the local army and repeated defeats made the chaos worse and worse. In the end, it was the king of Guangyang County who had to intervene to put an end to the chaos. Why were bandits so rampant in Jiangnan? It was not only the local government but also the incompetence of the army.
, do you think the bandits from the northwest dare to show up? If it were you, would you have confidence in this kind of army? "
Song Huizong immediately nodded and said: "What Aiqing said is extremely reasonable!"
All the ministers were stunned for a moment, but then they understood. Until now, people have blamed Song Huizong for Fangla's uprising. It was your granite that caused it. But now Li Qi's words have overturned all the blame.
After killing the garrison in the south of the Yangtze River, Song Huizong would definitely take the opportunity to vindicate himself.
Wu Min stood up and said: "Even so, we must not send the Western Army to go forward. Your Majesty, this decision is impossible!"
Song Huizong nodded again and said: "Yes, sending the Western Army is absolutely impossible. Li Qi, you have to think of another way."
Qin Hui was amused. Li Qi just said a few words, and all the officials fell into his trap.
Li Qi pretended to ponder for a while and said: "Your Majesty, this is difficult to handle. Jiangnan is the economic lifeline of our Song Dynasty. We can't have another Fang La. We must provide sufficient safety guarantees, so as to benefit the economy."
development.”
Cai Jing suddenly stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I think that only one person can protect Jiangnan from worries."
Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty said: "My beloved, please tell me quickly."
Cai Jingdao: "This is Han Shizhong, General Han, who is going to Jiangnan this time. According to what Qin's deputy economic envoy said, Han Shizhong went to defeat countless bandits and shocked Jiangnan. If he were to take charge of Jiangnan, those bandits would be frightened and would not dare to cause trouble.
"
There is a tacit understanding! Li Qi said quickly: "What the grand master said is true, but General Han alone may not be enough. I think it is time for the court to strictly rectify the Southeast Army, and it is necessary to prevent the appearance of the next Fang La
.”
Huang Xinren immediately stood up and said: "Economic envoy, it is easy for you to say, but now the treasury does not have the money for you to reorganize the Southeast Army."
Li Qi smiled and said: "Salt and Iron Envoy, you are too humble. Your three companies have just received millions of dollars in funding, and in the blink of an eye they are saying that they have no money. Is it possible?"
Huang Xinren said: "What do you mean?"
"It's not interesting." Li Qi chuckled and said to himself, I scared you to death. He changed the topic and said: "In fact, reorganizing the army does not necessarily require spending more money. I also know something about the army in the south of the Yangtze River.
Most of them are composed of side soldiers. The scale seems impressive, but in fact they cannot be reused. Since they cannot be reused, what is the use of them? It just so happens that Jiangnan is currently undergoing economic construction, which requires a lot of manpower, and Fang La caused chaos, causing countless casualties, causing Jiangnan to
Manpower is tight, and Wei Chen believes that the imperial court should first get rid of its dregs, extradite some old soldiers to agriculture or commerce, let them reclaim wasteland, build factories, and then focus on training the remaining troops to build them into an elite force. In this way
As a result, the imperial court's expenditures did not increase but fell, and there was an extra combatable army that could guard the border for our Song Dynasty. Why not. In addition, our Song Dynasty is now attacking Dali, Jiaozhi and other southern countries.
For the diplomatic strategy, I think Jiangnan must have an army with the same combat effectiveness as the Western Army, divided into sea and land armies, and the water and land forces run parallel."
Zhao Huan bowed and said: "I agree with you. Most of the internal troubles in our Song Dynasty originated from the south of the Yangtze River. If we have a strong army to guard them, we can kill those rebel traitors in the cradle at the beginning."
Cai Jing, Gao Qiu and others also hurriedly came out to second the proposal. They were all preparing to show their ambitions in Jiangnan, and the Jiangnan thieves often used them as negative teaching materials to encourage the people to rebel. If they wanted to rob, their first target would definitely be them, so they
Of course they hope to have a strong army to protect their assets.
The Zheng family and the Bai family also came out to agree. After all, they had benefited a lot just now and reciprocated the favor.
As for the officials of the Privy Council, since their boss was absent, they didn't know what to do for a while.
When Song Huizong saw that most of the ministers agreed, he thought that he could also use this to vindicate himself from the side. So he said loudly: "Where is Han Shizhong?"
"Wei Chen is here."
Han Shizhong stood outside the door and bowed.
Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty said: "Now I appoint you as the economic and strategic envoy of Fuzhou to rectify the two armies of land and water in the southeast and make sure to put an end to the bandits in the south of the Yangtze River."