The emperors of the Song Dynasty, as well as the civil servants of the Song Dynasty, treated military officials far more than simply emphasizing civility and restraining military force.
They don't care about the warrior's body and bones, and sometimes even watch him die.
They have always adhered to the concept that as long as they can't use it to death, they will use it to death.
Cao Wei is an example.
Cao Wei had been guarding the border for many years and became ill due to overwork. He repeatedly requested to return to Beijing to recuperate, but the court refused.
If Kou Ji's appearance hadn't changed Cao Wei's fate, Cao Wei would have died in office.
According to historical records, Cao Wei died in the eighth year of Tiansheng's reign, and Cao Wei was unable to go into battle due to illness as early as the fourth year of Tiansheng's reign. However, during this period, the imperial court still sent Cao Wei to various places to sit in the army.
In fact, Cao Wei was not the only military official who died in office during the Song Dynasty.
Zhe Weizhong's father, Zhe Yuqing, had to take his son Zhe Weichang with him in order to resist the invasion of Xixia people in the first year of Zhidao. He fell ill and went to war, and died in the army.
After Zhe Weizhong's father, Zhe Yuqing, died, his second son, Zhe Weichang, was in charge of state affairs. During the Dazhong Xiangfu period, Linzhou was in emergency and had to fall ill and rush to help. He died on the march.
Yang Wenguang, seventy-five years old, traveled to the frontier of Dingzhou and died of illness in office.
Countless military officials such as Zhe Yang died on the march and died in office.
Therefore, even though Zhe Wei Zhong was ill, he continued to lead troops on expeditions. This was nothing new in the Song Dynasty, and no one would particularly care.
The court will not let you rest just because you are sick.
Zhao Zhen learned that Zhe Weizhong was in fear of his life, and the remorse and regret on his face could not be concealed.
Kou Ji said in a deep voice: "It is not the official's fault that Zhe Wei Zhong's life is in danger, but that the thieves have sinister intentions and used a poisonous plan. I am going to the northwest. If I can save Zhe Wei Zhong's life, I will naturally be obliged to do so. If it is too late, I will not hesitate to do so."
Save his life, and I will definitely recover this blood debt from the thief."
Zhao Zhen nodded slowly and sighed: "I actually really want to go to the northwest and see those soldiers who fought bloody battles for us in the Song Dynasty. But the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty will not let me go out.
Even before I leave this palace, I have to get nods from the civil and military officials of the court.
I can't go to the northwest, so I have to ask my fourth brother to help me make a trip to the northwest.
There are some things I can't say in front of others, but I can say them to my fourth brother in private."
Kou Ji stared at Zhao Zhen and made a listening gesture.
Zhao Zhen said in a deep voice: "Fourth brother is going to the northwest. Help me ask the Zhe family if they are willing to move to Bianjing City. If you are willing, there will be no shortage of alchemy books, iron scrolls, and high-ranking officials.
.
The Zhe family has been in the northwest for many years, and they have already given enough blood to me, the Song Dynasty.
They should move to Bianjing City and enjoy peace and happiness.
I cannot guarantee whether they will be able to retire with the country, but I can guarantee that the family will be rich and honorable for three generations, and their heirs will be prosperous."
Zhao Zhen made a big promise, a real big promise.
With his status, he can make any big promise.
But whether it can be fulfilled is hard to say.
But the promise he made to the Zhe family was obviously something he could fulfill.
Kou Ji bowed his hand to Zhao Zhen and said solemnly: "I will bring the official's words to the Zhe family."
Zhao Zhen pondered for a moment, sighed, and said: "If the Zhe family doesn't want to, then forget it... Once Zhe Weizhong dies, the Zhe family will be left with a group of orphans and widows.
I am not willing to bully a group of orphans and widows, nor am I willing to force the family to take advantage of the fact that only a group of old, weak, women and children are left in the family."
Kou Ji was stunned for a moment and said in a deep voice: "If the Zhe family is not willing to move the whole family to Bianjing City, then let them continue to stay in Fuzhou. However, the Great Wall border defenses on the Yinzhou and Linzhou lines can no longer be controlled by the Zhe family.
Got it under control.
This matter is related to the safety of the imperial court and cannot be controlled by one family.
Zhe Weizhong's life was in danger, and no one in the Zhe family could take his place, so there was a loophole in the northwest border defense.
If this happens once, it's enough to wake us up."
Zhao Zhen thought for a while and said: "Fourth brother is going to the northwest. The military and political power in the northwest are all under the control of fourth brother. Whatever the fourth brother wants to do, just do it. I don't care about the process, only the result."
Kou Ji cupped his hands and said, "I will definitely live up to the high expectations of the officials."
Zhao Zhen seemed to have remembered something and spoke again: "There is one more thing I need to tell Fourth Brother. Before Wang Yunsheng went to the northwest, I once told Wang Yunsheng that once Zhe Weizhong was unable to take charge of the military affairs in the northwest, he would let Zhe Wei
Zhe Jixuan, Zhe Zhong's eldest son, took charge of Sizhou affairs and helped Zhe Weizhong handle the military affairs in the northwest."
When Kou Ji heard this, his expression was very wonderful.
Kou Ji stared at Zhao Zhen in disbelief and said, "Did the officials send someone to investigate Zhe Jixuan before appointing him?"
Zhao Zhen stared at Kou Ji and said: "I have investigated him and know that he is flamboyant and domineering. But if I don't appoint him, who can I appoint? It is impossible for the Zhe family army to obey the imperial court's orders. Among the four sons of Zhe Wei Zhong, only
He has reached the age where he can serve as an official.
If I don't appoint him, whether Zhe Weizhong is lying on the bed or in fear of his life, the entire Zhe family and the entire Zhe family army will be left unchecked.
I don't expect him to be like his grandfather and father, who can help me guard the Song Dynasty.
I only hope that his existence can restrain the entire Zhe family and the entire Zhe family army."
Kou Ji said in a deep voice: "I'm just afraid that he will overestimate his abilities and cause some trouble."
Zhao Zhen sighed and said: "When you get into trouble, you get into trouble. It's better than having the whole Zhe family and the Zhe family army run into chaos without anyone to control them. To the court, the Zhe family and the Zhe family army are under control.
It is a big help to the Northwest.
The Zhejia and the Zhejia army without supervision are like a piece of loose sand, a piece of fragrant meat that can be slaughtered by others.
Everyone who saw it wanted to take a bite.
The northwest needs stability now.
I have no choice."
Zhao Zhen can be regarded as a general among the dwarfs. Even though he knew that Zhe Jixuan was in trouble, he still pushed Zhe Jixuan to ascend to the throne.
The purpose was to let Zhe Jixuan restrain the Zhe family and the Zhe family army so that they would not cause chaos to the court at the critical moment.
Kou Ji thought about it and found that Zhao Zhen did the same thing in the history books.
When the Zhe family was leaderless, he pushed Zhe Jixuan to take over and maintain stability in the northwest.
Even though Zhe Jixuan was causing trouble in the northwest, he pretended not to see it.
When Zhe Jimin grew up and was able to take on major responsibilities, he immediately dismissed Zhe Jixuan from his post.
Kou Ji suddenly discovered that waste also has uses.
At least it can help buy time at critical moments.
After Kou Ji understood Zhao Zhen's thoughts, he said to Zhao Zhen: "I want to ask the official to transfer someone."
Zhao Zhen was slightly stunned when he heard this, and said in a deep voice: "I know who the fourth brother wants to dispatch. The fourth brother just accompanies the Yang Zhe family to go north. The person the fourth brother wants will arrive in the northwest on time when the fourth brother arrives in the northwest.
"
Kou Ji nodded slowly and saluted Zhao Zhen again, "Then I will go back and prepare first."
Zhao Zhen did not try to persuade Kou Ji to stay, but when Kou Ji was leaving, he said to Kou Ji: "I won't send fourth brother off. When fourth brother goes north, I will send Liu Heng with Qingtang's troops and horses, and
The Imperial City Department’s personnel will accompany you.”
"The soldiers and horses of Qingtang?"
Kou Ji looked stunned.
Zhao Zhen said with a complex expression: "The king of Qingtang, Jiao Luo, knew that our Song Dynasty was going to deal with the Liao people. To show his sincerity, he sent 10,000 Qingtang soldiers and horses to our Song Dynasty."
Kou Ji pondered and said: "The king of Qingtang sent troops to help me in the Song Dynasty. This is a good thing. It seems that the officials are a little ungrateful."
Zhao Zhen gritted his teeth and said helplessly: "There are only 10,000 strong men, and there is nothing left. How do you want me to appreciate you?"
Kou Ji was stunned and slightly stared, "Ten thousand strong men?!"
Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "Ten thousand strong men without weapons, armor, or horses."
Kou Ji opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
The King of Qingtang's affairs were handled in a somewhat unethical manner.
It was said that soldiers and horses were sent to help the Song Dynasty, but they only gave people, not weapons or horses.
What kind of troops are those?
For people to see?
Don’t you plan to let Da Song use it?
Seeing that Kou Ji was speechless, Zhao Zhen continued: "The king of Qingtang, Jiao Siluo, said in the letter that Qingtang is in a poor place, and it is considered a great achievement of the Song Dynasty to be able to scrape together more than 10,000 people to help me.
It took a lot of effort. They can't afford to equip these ten thousand people."
But when the war broke out between the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom, they made it clear and firmly stood on the side of the Song Dynasty, and even sent people to help.
No matter how many lies others say, the Song Dynasty can only accept this kindness.
It's like your neighbor, when you were having a big dinner and you were short of food, he brought you a plate of dumplings, but he didn't give you chopsticks.
Can you blame others for being troublesome, or can you blame others for not giving you chopsticks, or can you ask them to take the dumplings back?
There is nothing you can do but accept this gesture as a favor.
Kou Ji curled his lips and said: "What Jiao Siluo means is that if we want to use more than 10,000 people, we have to equip them with military equipment. If they don't want to use it, just throw it aside?"
Zhao Zhen nodded slowly and said: "The left and right are just some soldiers and armors, and I, the Song Dynasty, have plenty of them. As long as they can help me, the Song Dynasty, and let them take advantage for once, what's the problem?"
Zhao Zhen, who has always been stingy, acted so generously for the first time.
Even Kou Ji, who was born in the year of Pixiu, did not refute Zhao Zhen's words.
They gave you the lives of more than 10,000 people and took advantage of a few of your soldiers. What can you blame them for?
The lives of more than 10,000 people are much more important than that little piece of armor.
Kou Ji pondered for a moment and asked: "Not only did Jiao Siluo not give the 10,000 soldiers armor, but he also didn't send generals to lead the troops?"
Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "That's right... When Qingtang handed people over to the Song Dynasty, he said that the Song Dynasty has a vast land and rich resources, and the number of people who can lead the troops is as great as a cow's hair. There is no shortage of people to lead the troops."
I heard that Liu Heng once led Qingtang's troops in Qingtang and has experience in this field, so I asked Liu Heng to command them."
Kou Ji said dryly: "I'm afraid it will be difficult for Liu Heng to gain the trust of officials in the future."
Zhao Zhen smiled bitterly, "I know that Fourth Brother and Liu Heng have a close relationship, and Fourth Brother does not need to talk to me about Liu Heng. I am not a narrow-minded person, and I will not alienate Liu Heng just because he led troops in Qingtang.
"
Kou Ji gave a dry laugh, said nothing more, bowed his hands, and exited the palace.
After riding the carriage all the way back to the house, I started to greet the people at the house to prepare things.
Kou Ji never likes to do things that are uncertain. Since he agreed to go to the northwest, he must find a way to calm down all the troubles in the northwest. He must prepare everything he can and bring all the people he can bring.
.
After working for most of the day, with the help of hundreds of people in the house, and the help of tens of thousands of people in the equipment and steel forging workshops, Kou Ji prepared many things.
After the things were loaded onto the cart, the number of carriages and horses was much greater than the number of carriages and horses that Kou Ji had sent to the Western Regions before.
There are far more manpower responsible for escorting people than those who went to the Western Regions before.
The Kou Mansion was short of manpower, so Kou Ji transferred a group of manpower from the steel forging workshop.
The workers in the steel forging workshop were hired by Kou Ji.
They all regarded themselves as servants of the Kou government, so Kou Ji transferred them. They did not complain at all, and even rushed to go to the northwest.
Why are they so enthusiastic when they know that going to the northwest may put their lives in danger?
That's because the servants of the Kou Mansion who went to the Western Regions have now become rich.
Although they are still servants of the Kou Mansion, doing all kinds of dirty work in the Kou Mansion, after they leave the Kou Mansion, they become big landowners and wealthy households.
The richest man was the head guard of the Kou Mansion.
I made a stupid trip to the Western Regions, and after I came back, I bought more than a thousand acres of land and seven or eight shops, which made the people in Ruian Town envious.
Now everyone in Ruian Town knows that if you go out with Kou Ji, you will become a landlord and a wealthy household when you come back.
As for the possibility of death if they go to the northwest, they don't care at all.
If they could exchange their own death for hundreds of acres of land and a few shops for their family, they would die resolutely.
In this age where everyone has to work hard to survive, many people will sacrifice their lives without hesitation if they can use their own death to gain wealth for their family.
After Kou Ji had prepared everything, he ordered the leader of the patrolling horse guards, his head guard, to control the convoy.
He returned to the courtyard by himself and entered the bedroom.
Xiang Yan was sitting in the room with Kou Tianci in her arms, with a slightly sad look on her face.
Seeing Kou Ji enter the room, Xiang Yan said softly: "My husband is going on an expedition again?"
Kou Ji walked towards her and said with a smile: "What do you mean we are going to war again? I am not a military official, so I don't need to fight on the battlefield. Words like going to war are not applicable to me."
Kou Ji walked to Xiang Yan and took Kou Tianci from Xiang Yan.
Kou Tianci stared at Kou Ji with his round eyes, a blank look on his face.
Kou Ji pinched his little face and said dotingly: "Call me daddy!"
"Why?!"
Kou Tianci moved his little mouth and shouted.
Kou Ji's face turned dark instantly.
Xiang Yan was amused, and the worry and sadness in her heart also dissipated a lot.
"You have taught a good son."
Said something to Yanxiao.
Kou Tianci, this kid, has already learned to take advantage before he reaches the age of understanding.
Ever since Kou Ji taught him to call him daddy for the first time and he said "Hey", every time Kou Ji taught him to call him daddy, he didn't yell, but agreed.