ps: I will continue to fill in the missing chapters tomorrow, and tonight I will have to elaborate on the dispute between King Su and the court officials about the struggle for interests.
Today's celebration banquet at the Jiying Palace, well, actually there is nothing much to describe. It is just a meal as usual for the meritorious men who helped repel the Chu army this time.
The real drama lies in the wrangling between the military and the court over the next few days over the division of post-war benefits.
Oh, the military mentioned here is actually just a concept. It refers to the six garrison battalions such as Junshui Camp, Dangshan Camp, and Fenxingsai, including the Yanling Army, Shangshui Army, and Yanshui Army newly established by Zhao Hongrun after the war.
.
It's just a general term.
In Zhao Hongrun's original idea, he only planned to hand over about 50% to 60% of the post-war profits to the imperial household department, and the remaining 40% or so, he would use 99% of it to subsidize Dredging Camp, Dangshan Camp, Fen
The military expenditures for six armies of different sizes, including Xingsai, Yanling Army, Shangshui Army and Yanshui Army, include the reconstruction projects of several important cities such as Shangshui, Changping and Yanling.
However, the sudden visit of the princes and princes of the Ji family, represented by Prince Yuanyang Zhao Chengxiu to Daliang, and the reminder from his second uncle Zhao Yuanyan made Zhao Hongrun realize that the huge amount of supplies he had shipped from Chu State was now very important.
Maybe he is being coveted and watched.
However, Zhao Hongrun was not worried about this, because during the celebration banquet, he had a tacit understanding with General Sima An of Dangshan camp and General Xu Yin of Fenxing fortress through his eyes.
It is not difficult to guess that the two generals returned to Daliang day and night not only to attend the celebration banquet, but also believed that Bailiba, the general of Junshuiying, had already conveyed Zhao Hongrun's intention to them through letters. Therefore,
For the sake of military expenses, these two generals had to go back to Daliang in person, whether to express their gratitude to Zhao Hongrun or to secretly support him, lest the imperial court take away the funds that should belong to their military.
Hmm. Although the military is just a concept, it is undeniable that generals such as Bailiba, Sima An, Xu Yin, etc. who lead troops stationed abroad all year round do not actually have a tacit relationship with the imperial military department and the household department.
Think about it. Generals like Bailiba, Sima An, Xu Yin, etc., they wish to expand their army ten times, wish to replace their military equipment every six months, and wish to have sufficient military pay, but in the imperial court, the Ministry of War every two years
A replacement of military equipment can be said to be a blessing, and the Ministry of Revenue has proposed to reduce military expenditures every year. Therefore, it would be strange if there were no conflicts between the military and the court.
It has to be said that sometimes, even if we are all people who care about the country, conflicts will inevitably arise due to different positions and different views.
But at this point, Zhao Hongrun obviously supports the military. After all, in his view, no matter what expenditures are cut, military expenditures cannot be cut. After all, this is related to the survival of the entire Wei Dynasty.
Regardless of the fact that Xiong Tuo, a Lord of Yangcheng, was defeated now, the problem is that Chu State was hardly affected by the defeat of Lord Xiong Tuo of Yangcheng. In the final analysis, Chu State was still afraid of Qi State and King Qi.
Just chew it.
Not to mention that in the north of the Wei Dynasty, there is South Korea, which is eyeing the Shangdang, Hanoi and even the entire Wei State. At present, cutting the military expenditure of the Wei Dynasty is simply suicidal.
Mencius said, "To convince others with force is not to convince others with heart. It is also because of failure of strength."
In a word, I want to convince others with my virtue.
However, in Zhao Hongrun's view, the sage's remarks were too idealistic. After all, not everyone in the world speaks with reason. The Wei State repeatedly explained to the Chu State that the Chu State envoys were attacked. But the King of Chu
Xiong Xu still ordered to declare war on Wei, trying to use fists and force to coerce Wei to surrender to Chu.
In this case, reasoning alone will not work.
Therefore, Zhao Hongrun has always believed that if his country Wei wants to gain a certain say in diplomatic communication with its neighbors, the premise is that his country Wei must be strong enough. Even if the national power is not strong, at least the army must remain strong. Only in this way, like Chu
Only when a powerful country like South Korea cannot kill their Wei State in a short time will they restrain their desire for war and sit down to negotiate with their Wei State calmly.
Otherwise, just like the battle half a year ago, when the two armies of Chu attacked Wei, how could the Wei people use reason to retreat?
Because of this, Zhao Hongrun not only straightened up the Yanling Army and transformed it from a guard army into a regular army, but also added Shangshui and Yanshui armies. After all, the sixth battalion alone only had a total of 80,000 regular troops.
It is not enough to cope with the worst situation that Zhao Hongrun envisioned: Chu and Han Hezong.
However, he also understood that neither the Ministry of War nor the Ministry of Household Affairs in the imperial court would easily admit these three newly established armies. After all, this meant that the imperial court would spend more military expenses and military salaries every year.
All in all, today's celebration banquet is just a formality. The real drama lies in the dispute with the six ministries of the imperial court in the next two days. Fortunately, Zhao Hongrun has a big card in his hand. For example, at this moment, he is closely guarded by more than 5,000 Junshui camps.
That batch of Chu country specialties piled up in Xiangfu County.
However, what surprised Zhao Hongrun was that his second brother Yong Wang Hongyu, who came to congratulate him during the banquet, mentioned something to him that he did not want to do.
Well, to be precise, it's not that it has nothing to do with him, Zhao Hongrun, but he's just not interested in it.
"...A few days later, I heard that my father intended to set up an altar to worship heaven. Brother Yu felt that there should be no one more suitable to host the ceremony than Hongrun you."
Sacrifice to heaven?
Zhao Hongrun was stunned when he heard this. After all, he really didn't know the matter: "Why?"
"What else can be done?" Yong Wang Hongyu smiled and said in a low voice: "For the sake of my victory in the Wei Dynasty... Is Hongrun interested?"
Zhao Hongrun glanced at this second brother who could not see through his thoughts suspiciously. He always felt that he was planning something. He thought for a while and said: "Whether you are interested or not is not a matter of interest. The question is... this kind of ceremony to worship the heaven, isn't it?"
Is it always presided over by my father?"
Hearing this, Yongwang Hongyu had an unreadable expression on his face. He said calmly: "It was like this in previous years, but you also know that my father has finally reached the age of half a century. If he has to work on the entire ceremony of worshiping the heavens, I'm afraid the dragon body will not be able to survive."
An, therefore, my father should choose one of my brothers to assist him in hosting the heaven-sacrifice ceremony... Is Hongrun interested?"
Zhao Hongrun glanced at the second brother with a strange expression. Because in his opinion, apart from the superstitious color, the greatest effect of this kind of ceremony to worship the heaven is nothing more than to calm people's hearts. Well, by the way, it also rose in the hearts of the people of Wei near Daliang.
It's just a matter of prestige, to put it bluntly, it's just a political show.
As for this kind of errand that is not derived from actual benefits, Zhao Hongrun has little time to deal with it. After all, he has a lot of things to be busy with. For example, wrangling with the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War, and contemplating the reorganization of Shangshui, Yanling, and Changping Counties. Construction etc.
He planned to take advantage of the power of victory to reorganize Yingchuan South County, at least consolidate the defenses along the border between Chu and Wei, and strengthen the four armies of Fenxing Fortress, Yanling Army, Yanshui Army, and Shangshui Army. The garrison was connected in a line to avoid repeating the mistake of Yangcheng Lord Xiong Tuo who invaded the hinterland of the Wei Dynasty a while ago. There was no spare time to pay attention to any political show.
"Second brother's kindness is appreciated. I'm afraid of trouble. Let's forget about it." After saying that, Zhao Hongrun looked at Yong Wang Hongyu for a few times and asked tentatively: "Second brother, are you interested?"
It’s no wonder that Zhao Hongrun thinks this way. After all, Yong Wang Hongyu is going to compete with the East Palace Prince Hongli for the position of crown prince. Even if he is bound to get more support from the government and the public, if he can help their father support the ceremony of worshiping heaven, I believe it will be beneficial to him. The help is quite huge.
If this is the case, considering that he gets along well with this second brother, Zhao Hongrun would help him and make a recommendation to their father on his behalf. It is not a big deal.
But to Zhao Hongrun's surprise, when King Yong Hongyu learned that Zhao Hongrun was not interested in this matter, a smile appeared on his face, and he immediately laughed at himself: "How can you be so virtuous, stupid brother? How can you be qualified to help your father?" Host the ceremony."
After that, he toasted Zhao Hongrun with a toast, then turned and returned to his seat.
What does this... mean?
Zhao Hongrun was completely confused.
He did not expect that not long after Yong Wang Hongyu, the Prince Hongli of the East Palace, whom he had never met before, would also come to Zhao Hongrun's table with a wine bottle and sit down to chat with him.
"This time, Hongrun, you have repelled the Chu army and promoted the prestige of our great Wei state. I have nothing to give you as a brother, except for a song composed by my staff member Luo Yao, "King Su's Army Formation Song for Defeating Chu Yangcheng"..."
As soon as he finished speaking, a generous and solemn military music gradually sounded during the banquet, as if there was a faint sound of fighting and iron horses.
"..." Zhao Hongrun silently looked at the group of court musicians in military uniforms in the center of the hall, dancing to the sound of music like gold and iron horses. Although he looked very awkward, he had to admit that looking at the music and the music of those musicians With Le Nu's actions, I believe that the Prince of the East Palace has put in a lot of effort this time.
In order to win over me, His Royal Highness the Prince of the East Palace has taken great pains...
Zhao Hongrun smiled faintly in his heart. To be honest, there shouldn't be any conflicts between him and Hongli, the crown prince of the East Palace. After all, they were in their own completely unrelated circles at first and had almost no intersection, except for that time when they met by Yong Wang Hongyu by chance.
"By the way, Hongrun, in two days, my father intends to set up an altar to worship heaven and pray to heaven for this great victory... Brother Wei feels that since you are the biggest contributor to the defeat of the Chu army, you should be the one to do it. It’s only right to assist my father in hosting the heaven-sacrifice ceremony.”
Hey, it’s true that showing courtesy for nothing is a traitor or a thief...
Zhao Hongrun took a look at the expression of the Crown Prince and found that his eyes seemed a little anxious when he said those words, and secretly shook his head.
"My younger brother is not interested in this, His Highness the Crown Prince, don't be surprised."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Hongrun was suddenly startled and glanced at Yong Wang Hongyu calmly.
Only then did he realize that the second brother was communicating in a low voice with Xiang Wang Hongjing in a seat far away.
…
Before Zhao Hongrun came back to his senses, after hearing Zhao Hongrun's words, Hongli, the crown prince of the East Palace, showed a look of joy in anticipation, and immediately boasted about Zhao Hongrun's achievements.
Leave feeling satisfied.
Looking at the back of the Prince of the East Palace, Zhao Hongrun glanced at Yong Wang Hongyu again, but saw that Yong Wang Hongyu had ended his low conversation with Xiang Wang Hongjing, smiled and raised his wine bottle to give him a toast.
I see... Are you planning to attack the East Palace on the day of the Heaven Festival?
Zhao Hongrun suddenly realized, and then realized that his second brother Yong Wang Hongyu had deliberately mentioned the matter of offering sacrifices to heaven just now in the name of congratulations. He was not really asking him whether Zhao Hongrun intended to host the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, but he wanted to communicate with him out of the same position.
Just give me a signal.
But what does this have to do with me?
Muttering in his heart, Zhao Hongrun also raised the wine bottle in his hand and gave the second emperor brother a drink from a distance. (To be continued.)