Chapter 0263 Back to Beijing (warmly celebrate the 70th anniversary of the motherland!)
Wang Zeng's words were concise and to the point, but Kou Ji could hear murderous intent in them.
The dismantling of the Xiang Army is tantamount to a reform.
The scope of the reform is not large, but it affects a wide range of people and areas.
It will directly and indirectly affect the interests of many people.
Wu Xun is just one of them.
When the Xiang army is abolished at any time, it is not just some money in Wu Xun's pocket that is abolished, but also tens of thousands of officials.
Among these officials, there are children of the Wu Xun family and many civil servants.
Now it is just Wu Xun who is making a fuss. When the decree to abolish the Xiang Army is implemented, some civil servants will follow suit.
For them, the imperial government's dismissal of the Xiang army is not taking away their wealth, but destroying their jobs. They will only make the trouble worse.
Therefore, the issue of the dismantling of the Xiang Army is not a matter of the imperial court casually implementing a decree. It involves many aspects and cannot be solved by a few decrees.
For example, after the dismantling of the Xiang Army, the resettlement of nearly millions of soldiers and civilians is a bigger problem.
Although the imperial court had seized a lot of territory from Xixia, as Kou Zhun continued to fill it with people, the newly occupied territory had been carved up.
It is impossible to resettle the disbanded Xiang army and their families.
After years of occupation, the land in various places basically has owners. No one is willing to give up the land in their hands to supply the disbanded Xiang army.
Therefore, if the imperial court rashly disbands the Xiang army before it has a proper way to deal with these problems, it will only cause huge troubles to the imperial court and will not bring much benefit to the imperial court.
Therefore, Kou Ji is not optimistic about the idea and approach of the imperial court to abolish the Xiang army.
"Now is not the time to dismantle the Xiang Army..."
Kou Ji sat opposite Wang Zeng and said sincerely.
Wang Zeng looked at Kou Ji with a surprised look on his face, "I thought you would be the biggest help in dismantling the Xiang Army, but I didn't expect you would object?"
Kou Ji said calmly: "The purpose of what we do is to make the Song Dynasty better, not to make the Song Dynasty a mess."
Wang Zeng was stunned for a moment, then nodded slowly and said: "The problem of the Xiang Army has a wide range of implications. It is far from comparable to the previous punishment department. If it is not handled well, it will indeed cause a civil uprising."
After a pause, Wang Zeng continued: "But since problems have arisen, we must find ways to solve them. We cannot let them accumulate from generation to generation and eventually turn small troubles into big troubles."
Kou Ji bowed his hand to Wang Zeng and said, "Your Majesty is so righteous..."
Wang Zeng was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then laughed and scolded: "Don't give me a high hat, tell me what you think."
Kou Ji spread his hands and said, "What ideas can I have? I don't have any ideas."
Wang Zeng glared at Kou Ji. He didn't believe that Kou Ji had no idea about this.
Judging from what Kou Ji did when he entered Bianjing City, he must have had some ideas about dismantling the Xiang Army, otherwise he would never bring the problems that occurred in the Baosa Army to the court.
But Kou Ji didn't intend to say it clearly, and Wang Zeng couldn't press him.
In this way, Kou Ji sat in Wang Zeng's carriage and wandered towards Bianjing City.
Because they walked slowly along the way, by the time they returned to Bianjing City, they had already entered May.
After entering the territory of Kaifeng, Wang Zeng drove Kou Ji out of the carriage and asked Kou Ji to walk like a prisoner.
Wang Zeng also confiscated the donkey he was riding on.
When the group was ten miles away from Bianjing City, they saw Kou Zhun, and Zhao Zhen led the civil and military officials of the court to greet them on the roadside.
Gao Chugong, Cao Wei, Zhe Weizhong, and Zhong Shiheng exerted the majesty that the Song Dynasty deserved on the border.
Kou Zhun also fulfilled his promise and took Zhao Zhen to meet him ten miles outside the city.
When Kou Ji and his entourage arrived in front of Zhao Zhen, those who dismounted from their horses, those who dismounted from their carriages, and finally gathered in front of Zhao Zhen, everyone saluted.
Cao Wei led his soldiers, knelt down on one knee in front of Zhao Zhen, and shouted: "Your Majesty, Cao Wei, was ordered to go north to resist the Liao people's invasion from the south. Now that the Liao people have retreated, they have re-established an alliance with the Song Dynasty.
I have led my troops back to the court and have come here to deliver my orders."
In two years, Zhao Zhen grew a lot taller, and under the training of Kou Zhun and Liu E, he also looked like an emperor.
Facing Cao Wei's order, he calmly waved his hand, and a eunuch immediately stepped forward and took the military talisman from Cao Wei's hand.
Then Zhao Zhen stepped forward again, helped Cao Wei up, and said seriously: "Ai Qing, you have fought day and night for our Song Dynasty and made great contributions. Thank you for your hard work, Ai Qing."
"Xuanzhao..."
After Zhao Zhen helped Cao Wei up, he gave instructions to the eunuch behind him.
The eunuch came forward with a volume of edict in his hands and said loudly: "Cao Wei accepts the order!"
Cao Wei knelt down on one knee again, and the eunuch began to read the imperial edict.
After a long list of gorgeous words, the main content appeared.
"Cao Wei of the Jin Dynasty is the Taibao, and I admire this..."
The title of a first-grade Taibao fell firmly on Cao Wei.
But the role of the Taibao is basically the same as that of Grand Master Kou Zhun.
It is an honor, a status, and a high salary, but it has no real power.
Cao Wei's authority to command the troops was completely removed.
If he hadn't retained his status as Minister of War, he would have had no choice but to go home and wait for death.
After Cao Wei thanked him for the reward.
Zhao Zhen said to the officers and soldiers of the Forbidden Army: "I will give you each a reward. You will go back to your camp. Someone will deliver your reward to the camp later."
After the Forbidden Army officers thanked Zhao Zhen for his kindness, they returned to the military camp outside the city under the leadership of the various Forbidden Army generals.
Only three thousand people with great merits were left. They followed Cao Wei and Zhao Zhen into the capital and were welcomed by the people.
After the soldiers saluted.
Xiang Minzhong took Wang Zeng, Kou Ji and others and came forward to salute.
Zhao Zhen's eyes lingered on Kou Ji for a moment. After looking at the black lines on Kou Ji's neck and hands, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
However, he did not shout out any intimate words on the spot, but simply said, "I understand..."
When Zhao Zhen came out today, he was greeted by the soldiers on the expedition, not the envoys.
So no more time will be spent on Xiang Minzhong and his team.
The soldiers are the protagonists today.
After accepting everyone's worship, Zhao Zhen got on the carriage, invited Kou Zhun, and Cao Wei got on the carriage together, and then slowly drove to Bianjing City under the protection of hundreds of officials and soldiers.
When we were less than three miles away from Bianjing City, we ran into people lined up to welcome us.
The Song Dynasty fought two fierce battles in Xixia and Liao Dynasties, showing its majesty and momentum, sweeping away years of decline.
The people were really happy.
So they donated all the things they were reluctant to eat and wear to the soldiers who entered the city.
There are people who offer wine, people who offer meat, people who stuff eggs, people who pass purses, you name it.
There were even businessmen who asked the men to carry the burdens and toasted to the soldiers one by one.
Almost everyone who followed the team gained something.
Even Xiang Minzhong and Wang Zeng also gained something.
Only Kou Ji didn't.
After the people presented their gifts and saw the shackles painted on Kou Ji's body, they decisively stayed away from him.
If today was not a happy day, someone would probably spit at him.
Kou Ji looked depressed and wanted to strangle Xiang Minzhong and Wang Zeng to death.
The group of people entered Bianjing City along the Royal Street and were enthusiastically welcomed by the people in Bianjing City.
Familiar faces also appeared in the welcoming queue.
When two familiar figures appeared in front of Kou Ji, Kou Ji almost died of embarrassment.
"Why are you doing this? Others don't know, but I know that in terms of contribution to this trip, few people can compare with you."
Xiang Yan held a bowl of wine and handed it to Kou Ji, smiling.
Kou Ji held the wine and said awkwardly: "I always feel that this scene is a bit embarrassing and shouldn't be seen."
Xiang Yan smiled brightly, "But I still saw it..."
"Forehead……"
"But I know what kind of person you are..."
"..."
"Ahem, my throat is a bit dry too..."
Xiang Minzhong came up to me at some point and pinched his throat, looking like I was very thirsty.
Kou Ji and Xiang Yan's faces froze.
"I'll do it too..."
Wang Zeng also came up to join in the fun.
Kou Ji's face darkened.
He saluted Yan Luoluo generously and said, "I've met my grandfather, I've met Uncle Wang..."
Xiang Minzhong hummed and said: "Girl, I am your grandfather. If you don't offer wine to your grandfather, how can you give it to an outsider?"
Wang Zeng just smiled and nodded, looking at Kou Ji and Xiang Yan, and the smile on his face became even stronger.
When Xiang Yan heard Xiang Minzhong's words, she just looked at him with a smile and said nothing.
It seems to be telling Xiang Minzhong, I just turned my elbow outward, what can you do?
Seeing this, Xiang Minzhong's face darkened, and he glared at Kou Ji and said, "Boy, there is a poem that says... life is like..."
"You drink!"
Without saying a word, Kou Ji stuffed the wine bowl in his hand into Xiang Minzhong and blocked his mouth.
Xiang Minzhong held the wine bowl and raised his eyebrows at Xiang Yan proudly.
Xiang Yanze glanced at Xiang Minzhong and Kou Ji suspiciously.
"That's enough for you two, you are about to enter the palace."
Wang Zeng reminded me.
Xiang Minzhong quickly drank down the wine in his hand, put the empty bowl into Xiang Yan's hand, and pulled Kou Ji to chase Zhao Zhen's dragon frame.
The group of people drove all the way into Yidemen.
Zhao Zhen got off the carriage and led all the officials to have a banquet in the palace.
Food and wine have been prepared in the palace for a long time, specially for Cao Wei to receive the wind and wash away the dust.
Entered the Daqing Hall.
Zhao Zhen first asked someone to take Cao Wei and others down to wash up, and then the banquet started after they had washed up.
Since it was not a formal court meeting, Liu E also appeared in the Daqing Hall.
She had a smile on her face, which looked very bright, but no matter how you looked at it, it felt fake.
Zhao Zhen sat high on the dragon throne, raised his glass and said: "This battle, which has lasted for nearly two years, has finally come to an end.
Our Song Dynasty not only did not lose, but also gained new ground.
We all rely on you all to work together.
I would like to toast all of you dear ones."
The officials didn't dare to shout, and then they took the wine glasses and drank with Zhao Zhen.
Afterwards, Zhao Zhen started to talk a little bit.
Officials would occasionally listen.
Zhao Zhen would occasionally pause, ask Kou Zhun for advice, and then continue talking.
Kou Ji saw some differences in Zhao Zhen.
In the past, Zhao Zhen was just a yes man in the court, and he basically listened to the Grand Master or Liu E.
Today, Zhao Zhen seems to have a little say in the court, although he is still unable to make major decisions.
But many scenes were spoken by him.
Kou Zhun and Liu E did not interrupt.
What does this mean?
This shows that during the period when Kou Ji left, Kou Zhun was trying to let Zhao Zhen establish prestige in the court and slowly return the imperial power to Zhao Zhen.
Compared with historical data, Zhao Zhen was still at the mercy of Liu E in his twenties, the current Zhao Zhen is very different.
After Zhao Zhen finished speaking at the scene and awarded awards to those soldiers who had made great contributions, his eyes fell on Xiang Minzhong and his party.
"Xiang Aiqing, is everything going well on this mission to Liao?"
Zhao Zhen asked.
Although everyone already knows the result, you still have to ask.
Xiang Minzhong cupped his hands and said: "Although there were some twists and turns when we returned to the official family, everything went smoothly. It just messed up the official marriage."
Zhao Zhen said with a smile: "I didn't have one marriage, but I asked the Song Dynasty to hand over 100,000 pieces of silk cloth to the Liao Kingdom. I would rather have more such marriages, and then all of them."
Xiang Minzhong cupped his hands and said, "It's fine if the officials don't blame the old minister."
Zhao Zhen shook his head and said: "How could I blame Aiqing? Not only is Aiqing innocent, but she has meritorious service. As for the reward..."
Having said this, Zhao Zhen paused and looked at Kou Zhun.
Kou Zhun slowly said: "Master Jia..."
Zhao Zhen nodded in agreement.
Then he asked Wang Zeng again and gave Wang Zeng a false title. Then his eyes fell on Kou Ji who was standing in a corner of the hall.
Zhao Zhen said with a smile: "Why doesn't Xiao Kou Aiqing take a seat?"
Kou Ji cupped his hands and said, "I don't dare to sit down when I'm waiting for sin."
Zhao Zhen knew his advisor asked: "Xiao Kou Aiqing is guilty? What crime did he commit?"
The Minister of Punishment said: "Return to the official's house, guilty of murder."
"snort!"
Before Zhao Zhen could speak, Wang Zeng snorted coldly.
"The Ministry of Punishment has convicted a fifth-rank official. Have you asked me? Could it be that I, the Minister of Punishment, are just a decoration?"
Wang Zeng's words were a bit harsh, and the Minister of Punishment was so frightened that he trembled a little.
The Minister of Punishment turned around and cupped his hands to Wang Zeng and said: "Wang Shangshu, it is obvious to all that Kou Ji killed someone.
The lower official has already submitted the document to Dali Temple, and it has been reviewed and confirmed by Dali Temple."
Wang Zeng sneered: "Without my approval, how can you count the documents you sent to Dali Temple?"
The look on the face of the Minister of Punishment froze and he whispered: "You are far away in Liao Kingdom. You haven't come back. I can't just ignore this matter, right?"
"But I'm back now. Shouldn't this case be left to me before I make a decision?"
"But Dali Temple..."
"Are you teaching me how to do things?"
"I don't dare, my subordinates."
"snort!"
Wang Zeng's words convinced the Minister of Punishment, and the Minister of Punishment stopped talking.
But that doesn't mean the matter has been dismissed hastily.
Wang Qinruo snorted: "Wang Zeng, are you planning to protect Kou Ji?
He killed hundreds of people, and his methods were so cruel that it was heinous.
And every piece of evidence is conclusive.
If you speak out to support him now, you are clearly shielding him."