The officialdom of the Song Dynasty was often famous for the presence of brothers, uncles and nephews in the officialdom, such as brothers Cai Bian and Cai Jing, as well as Su Shi and Su Che.
They are all popular people in Zhang Xiang's house.
But there is another invisible relationship, such as Li Qingchen and Han Zhongyan.
At first glance, the two are not close, but Li Qingchen is Han Qi's niece and son-in-law, so the relationship between the two is actually very close.
Li Qingchen had a good relationship with Han Zhongyan, but they were not from Zhang Yue's faction. Although Zhang Yue came forward to recruit Li Qingchen after becoming prime minister, he rejected him.
Li Qingchen had his own ideas, and Zhang Yue had many capable people under his command, such as Cai Bian, Huang Lu, Xu Jiang, Su Song, etc., but Wang Gui was different.
He may not be reused by Zhang Yue, but he can have his own sense of proportion with Wang Gui. At the same time, the other party also relies on him to balance Zhang Yue's power.
Therefore, when Li Qingchen established the dynasty, both Wang Gui and Zhang Yue maintained a distance that was neither close nor far away.
This time Li Qingchen got the job of examiner of the provincial examination. For a scholar, this is almost the highest honor and something that he yearns for in his life.
Li Qingchen has been thinking about the exam questions these days.
Examination questions are the weathervane of the imperial court. In the past, some people often used the meaning of scriptures to express their political thoughts in a subtle way, conveying the thoughts or thoughts of senior officials or themselves.
Therefore, Li Qingchen put a lot of thought into coming up with an appropriate test question that would not cause controversy.
Li Qingchen came from a clean background. Although he relied on the help of Han Qi, Han Jiang, and Wang Gui in his official career, he came from a serious background in both the imperial examination and the political examination. There was no need to gain anything through such political speculation.
At home, Li Qingchen read the articles and scriptures in detail, figured out a few good test questions, and planned to select real talents for the country. At the same time, he ordered his family to pack their clothes and prepare for the lockup in the hospital.
But that night Han Zhongyan suddenly came to visit.
Li Qingchen was a little surprised and unhappy when he heard that Han Zhongyan had come.
Although his appointment as the chief examiner of the provincial examination has not been announced, it has been decided by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Although Wang Gui ignores the affairs of the imperial court, his acceptance of favors and honors in the imperial examination and official selection is comparable to that of Zhang Yue.
Every inch of land must be fought for.
He was worried that Han Zhongyan was looking for him to establish a connection with Zhang Yue's family. As far as he knew, Zhang Yue's son Zhang Cheng had participated in this provincial examination. Although he was not the examiner of the lock-in examination, the final place was awarded and assigned to him.
You can make up your mind.
But Li Qingchen then thought about it, how could a person like Zhang Gong do this?
But if Han Zhongyan really proposed it, he couldn't refuse it. The prime minister's face would still have to be given.
Li Qingchen met Han Zhongyan with anxiety, but Han Zhongyan had a solemn look on his face. After he sat down, he looked at Li Qingchen's house and said, "You still live here. Although it is closer to the imperial court, it is too simple. I'm afraid it won't be possible even if you live there."
Even a gust of west wind can't stop it."
"It's pity that my sister has to suffer for you."
Li Qingchen came from a poor family. He has been an official for thirty years and is now a Hanlin scholar. He still lives as simply as before.
Li Qingchen smiled and said: "It's not that I don't want to change my house, it's just that I'm used to this place and it's very convenient."
Han Zhongyan said solemnly: "I have an errand to deliver my credentials to Khitan and let you know."
"What?"
Li Qingchen was startled and said: "Song and Liao are likely to go to war. I'm afraid if you go to deliver your credentials at this time..."
Li Qingchen really didn't understand why the court allowed a playboy like Han Zhongyan to do such an errand.
Han Zhongyan laughed at himself and said: "I guess my father has a great reputation in the Liao Kingdom, so the Lord of Liao does not dare to kill me!"
Li Qingchen's expression changed when he heard this, and he was right. He heard that every time the Khitan envoys came to the DPRK, they would ask how Han Qi was doing and how he was doing. That was a sign of extra respect. Han Qi had been stationed in Beijing (Daming Prefecture) during the Shenzong period, and he also wanted to borrow money from him.
His reputation made the Liao Kingdom not to act rashly.
Now let Han Qi's son Han Zhongyan be sent as an envoy to the Liao Kingdom.
Li Qingchen was confused and thought, as far as he knew, shouldn't he find a minister who was eloquent and flexible in his mission to the Liao State? At least the Liao State's arrogant request to return the Song Dynasty to Liangzhou would be delayed.
Obviously Han Zhongyan is not qualified for such an errand.
Li Qingchen said: "When Han Gong was in Daming Mansion, he eased the affairs of the four barbarians and hid Taizong Renzong's poem about hunting in the field in the lining wall of Banrui Hall."
"The Liao Kingdom knows about this accident and respects Han Gong."
Han Zhongyan suddenly lost his temper in the office and said, "Didn't I make it clear enough? The Prime Minister didn't mean what you said! He...he told me personally."
Li Qingchen was so shocked that he almost spilled the tea soup in his hand, and said in shock: "Does the Prime Minister really want to ignore the eighty-year peace between the two families?"
Han Zhongyan said: "Don't you know? The imperial court has imitated the three auxiliaries of the Han Dynasty and set up auxiliary states in the capital. Each station has tens of thousands of soldiers and horses. It wants to use the soldiers as a city to fight the decisive battle with the Liao Kingdom in the capital!"
"If we don't fight, what's the point?"
Li Qingchen felt uncertain. Although he opposed Zhang Yue's provocation with the Liao Kingdom, he felt that Zhang Yue was just bluffing to gain more bargaining chips.
No matter what happens, the Song Dynasty will not ignore the party and go to war with the Liao Kingdom.
This is being attacked on both sides, a taboo for military strategists!
Li Qingchen said: "Shi Pu, this can't be done. You and I are both from Hebei, and we feel the pain of our own skin! In the 80th year of peace between Song and Liao Dynasties, once the war spread, you and the elders in my hometown would suffer... just like the Anshi Rebellion.
It's a scene repeated..."
"How can I bear it?"
Having said this, Li Qingchen's heart was on fire and his words were choked with sobs.
Han Zhongyan said: "Yes, I don't know."
Li Qingchen asked: "Are you saying that the Prime Minister does not want to be removed from the position after two years?"
Han Zhongyan said: "Zhang Gong is dedicated to the world, and vows to settle the major events of Liao and Song Dynasties, retire with great achievements, and establish an immortal name for all generations!"
"I'm worried that a military disaster will happen in a few years or more. There is no reason to retire after success."
Li Qingchen said: "Then you can't risk the private life of millions of people in the Song Dynasty and Zhang San's achievements. Shi Pu, you should think twice!"
Han Zhongyan cursed and said: "How can I still not know? After Sanlang became the prime minister, I increasingly don't know what he is thinking. Yuan Chang Yuandu is ambitious, Zizhan Ziyou is undisciplined, An Zhongzhen and I have replaced each other."
He's worried."
"But Sanlang has been my friend for decades. I can only help him in this matter to the end. I have an explanation for talking to you today. You must not reveal this matter. I will go to Liao Kingdom in two days!"
"If anything happens to me on my mission, I will entrust you to take care of the Han family from now on. Let's go!"
After Han Zhongyan stood up, Li Qingchen gritted his teeth and chased after him: "Shi Pu, you and I have been friends for many years. I am not an unjust person, and I will definitely support you in this matter."
Han Zhongyan nodded when he heard this, and then walked out of the gate. It was freezing cold at the moment, the horses outside were breathing white air, and the pedestrians on the road had their sleeves wrapped up.
"Take care, Shipu!"
Li Qingchen chased him to the door, gave Han Zhongyan a long bow, and then watched Han Zhongyan disappear into the night in Bianjing.
…
The spring cold in Bianjing has not yet dissipated.
Zhang Yue wore thick clothes and watched fish in the courtyard.
The international politics of East Asia is different from that of Europe. European international politics adheres to the balance of power theory, while East Asian politics follows the tributary system.
However, the rise of the Liao Kingdom replaced the original ecological niche of China.
In the original tributary system, this role among the four parties belonged to China, but the Liao Kingdom took its place. However, although the Song Dynasty did not become a vassal, it still had to pay coins to the Liao Kingdom. Before that, Goryeo, Jurchen, and Dangxiang were also engaged in the Song Dynasty and changed to serve the Liao Dynasty.
So the current situation is somewhere between tribute and balance of power.
However, the balance of power is not deliberately dominated, but often occurs passively.
When a country's power increases, it breaks the original balance of power.
At this time, Chen Guan went inside and reported to Zhang Yue: "Prime Minister, the border gate has received the party's ultimatum. In addition to asking for Liangzhou back, it also wants us to withdraw from Lanzhou and other places."
Zhang Yue said: "It makes sense that the Liao Kingdom's intention to intervene in Liangzhou has become clear, and the party has become increasingly tough."
Chen Guan said: "When the Liao Kingdom did not express its position before, Dangxiang also planned to give up his title and accept the title of King Xiping from the imperial court. Now he has completely regretted it, which is really abominable."
Zhang Yue said: "Tomorrow, tell Dang Xiang's envoy at Dutingxiyi that he will add one line and we will add one line, asking the king to refer to himself with the surname Zhao in the certificate of credence and no longer use the surname Li."
"Moreover, it's been two hundred years since the founding of the Song Dynasty, and they still use the surname Li. What's the point of this?"
Chen Guan was silent for a moment and then said: "Prime Minister, as soon as these words came out, even Dang Xiang didn't change his mind."
Zhang Yue looked at Chen Guan and asked, "Do you think so too?"
Chen Guan said: "Students think that the teacher's arrangements are always stable and his plans are extremely cautious. Why do they take such a huge risk this time?"
"Once there is a war with the Liao Kingdom, regardless of victory or defeat, everyone in the government and the public will blame the teacher."
Zhang Yue took a handful of bait to feed the fish and said to Chen Guan: "Yingzhong, everything in the world is so smooth."
"For the Khitan affairs, we must take the long road, enter the narrow gate, and plow the thin fields. Instead of taking the shortcut, entering through the gate, and plowing the fertile fields!"
"I want to do both easy things and hard things. I want to do easy things to change things and hard things to change myself."
Chen Guan suddenly said: "The students seem to understand."
Zhang Yue said: "We often say, 'Be born in sorrow and die in happiness'. This is the truth. Take the two things at hand as examples, the establishment of auxiliary prefectures near Gyeonggi, and the auxiliary prefecture troops. Every command must be ethereal.
The students serve as dual commanders and envoys for the military governors and generals."
"You said that without the heavy pressure of the Liao Kingdom, how could these things have been accomplished without ten years of hard work?"
Chen Guan was convinced that the imperial court's plan to establish three auxiliary prefectures in the capital had already been approved by the two prefectures. The imperial court elevated Xiangyi County of Kaifeng Prefecture to the auxiliary prefecture and named it Dongfu, with Zhengzhou as the west auxiliary and Chanzhou as the northern auxiliary.
There are 20,000 soldiers in the state garrison. These are elite soldiers drawn from all states in the world and from the imperial army.
Among them, 10,000 people were evacuated from Xihe Road, and 10,000 people were evacuated from other Shaanxi military envoy roads.
Each unit commands five hundred people, with one commander and one supervisor. The commander is selected from military generals, and the supervisor is selected from among Taipei students or martial arts students.
The commander-in-chief and the supervisor-commander are of the same rank. The commander-in-chief is in charge of combat and has the final power to make military decisions; the supervisor-commander is responsible for supervision. Although the supervisor-commander is appointed as a Taipei student, he follows the rank of military minister. If he achieves military exploits, he can exchange military qualifications for military service.
Capital.
In the past, it needed to be discussed over and over again, but now decisions are made 'hastily', and the ministers decide as quickly as possible.
Zhang Yue said: "In the future, whether it is to destroy Dangxiang or to conquer Youyan in the north, we must have a strong army. How can we rely solely on the Western Army to do it?"
"These three auxiliary troops will be the main force in the future Western Expedition and Northern Expedition."
At this point, Zhang Yue patted Chen Guan on the shoulder and said, "I've paved the road, and it's up to you to do it from now on!"
In the cold wind, Chen Guan blushed with shame and said: "The student has misunderstood the teacher's meaning."
