Chapter 0806 Liu Heng's situation, Zhao Zhen's thoughts
Wang Zeng stared at Kou Ji and asked this question with a worried look on his face.
Before Kou Ji could speak, Wang Zeng added, "If we lose and let others ruin our country, then we will be sinners through the ages. I...I...even if I die, I will not be able to rest in peace."
Wang once talked about three old men in a row, which shows how uneasy he felt.
Zhang Zhibai solemnly said: "I will sacrifice my family for my country!"
Lu Yijian gritted his teeth and said, "Even if I die, I will not be someone else's minister."
Li Zhaoliang said solemnly: "My entire Li family can die in battle."
Zhao Zhen said very calmly: "I will kill everyone in the palace, and then lead the Royal Forest Guards to make the final push."
When Kou Ji faced Zhao Zhen, Wang Zeng, Lu Yijian, Zhang Zhibai, and Li Zhaoliang, he took a deep breath and solemnly said: "If we lose this battle, I know what the consequences will be.
I can't promise you that I will definitely win.
But I can assure you that we will not lose."
Lu Yijian hesitated, "The worst is a draw?"
Kou Ji narrowed his eyes and said, "The worst-case scenario is to cripple one of them."
Lu Yijian and the other two looked at each other without saying anything.
Zhao Zhen said categorically: "Then let's fight! If we win this battle, the achievements of our monarchs and ministers will be unmatched. If we lose, I will accompany you all and become sinners for the ages."
"Here!"
Lu Yijian and others all saluted and agreed.
Zhao Zhen continued: "Now the Black Khan Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom have just begun to attack the Xizhou Uighurs. What we have to do is to send people there to help the Xizhou Uighurs to delay as much as possible.
The longer it is delayed, the better it will be for us, the Song Dynasty.
Before starting a war, Fourth Brother needs to complete the armament replacement of our Song Dynasty troops and horses as soon as possible, and secretly dispatch troops and horses to make some arrangements.
We also accelerated the pace of road reform and government system as much as possible.
Lu Aiqing, Wang Aiqing, and Zhang Aiqing, the three of you can start choosing candidates for prefects and supervisors from other prefectures in the world.
Once Fan Zhongyan achieved results in Shaanxi Prefecture, he immediately promoted road reform and government system nationwide.
Traveling to Dali, Xingqingfu and other places.
In order to prevent us during the Great War in the Song Dynasty, the local people would cause trouble behind our backs.
Dali, Xingqing Prefecture and other places will continue to be under military control within five to ten years."
Kou Ji, Lu Yijian, Wang Zeng, and Zhang Zhibai all bowed and agreed.
Zhao Zhen then ordered Li Zhaoliang: "You lead the local troops and obey the orders of the Privy Council for the time being."
Li Zhaoliang bowed.
Zhao Zhen let out a sigh of relief, "It will be very difficult for us in the next few days. I hope you can always accompany me on this journey."
"It will definitely live up to the high expectations of the officials."
Kou Ji and others agreed in unison.
Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "In order to avoid causing unnecessary panic, this matter is only known to a few of us for the time being and must not be disclosed to the outside world."
"I obey the order!"
"..."
The matter has been discussed.
Kou Ji and others left Zishi Hall.
Zhao Zhen stood in front of the table with the map and suddenly asked Chen Lin, "How is my Japanese general doing?"
Chen Lin bowed her waist and reported in a low voice: "The entire territory of the Japanese Kingdom has been completely controlled by Liu Heng. Now Liu Heng is digging silver mountains in the Japanese Kingdom in accordance with the official's instructions.
Yinshan was discovered not long ago, and the amount of silver mines excavated is not very large.
Liu Heng reported that by the end of the year, we should be able to transport a sum of silver ingots to Dengzhou."
Zhao Zhen curled his lips and said: "It has been almost four years since I sent him to Japan. It took four years to find Yinshan, and he has fulfilled my great trust."
Chen Lin smiled bitterly, "Before Liu Heng went to Japan, Yinshan was just a word from the mouth of Privy Kou, and no one could take it seriously. So the official gave Liu Heng only three thousand troops.
After Liu Heng led 3,000 troops to the Japanese country, he searched hard for half a year but could not find Yinshan.
In the end, it took three years to pacify the Japanese state.
He brought all the people of the Japanese country under his command, and with the help of the Japanese people, Yinshan was known.
For this reason, Liu Heng almost lost his life.
The servant feels that Liu Heng is risking his life to serve the officials."
Zhao Zhen glared at Chen Lin, "I don't know if he tried his best? Do you want to talk more?"
Chen Lin smiled dryly and said: "If you say anything more, the past is in the past. Liu Heng is still worthy of the official's trust, and the official should treat him well."
Zhao Zhen said dissatisfied: "If I don't treat him well, do you think his son can live happily in the Kou Mansion?"
Chen Lin laughed and said, "That's because Privy Kou is protecting you."
Zhao Zhen snorted and said, "That's also due to my grace."
Chen Lin hurriedly said: "What the officials say makes sense."
Zhao Zhen sighed and said: "Although I hate Liu Congmei very much, I have never resented Liu Heng at all. When I first dealt with Liu Heng, I was also afraid that he would be resentful and seek revenge on me because I killed people in the Liu family.
Now he is working secretly for me outside without any complaints.
I saw his loyalty.
You ask your men to go to the Japanese country and give him orders.
Let him temporarily give up the excavation of Yinshan, let me reorganize his troops in Japan, and wait for the opportunity.
I will secretly send some people to help him later.
Wait until the war breaks out between our Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom, and wait until Emperor Yelu Longxu of Liao personally leads an army to arrive at the border of our Song Dynasty.
Let him lead his men and horses along the coast and poke Emperor Yelu Longxu of Liao in the eye.
When I, the Song Dynasty, defeat the troops of the Liao Kingdom, I will call him back to the capital, pardon all his crimes, and restore his title."
The corner of Chen Lin's mouth twitched and she said nothing.
Zhao Zhen glanced at Chen Lin and said, "What? You think what I say is ugly."
Chen Lin smiled bitterly and said: "Vulgar words should not be uttered by officials."
Zhao Zhen said nonchalantly: "I think it's very pleasant to say vulgar language."
After hearing this, Chen Lin did not give any more advice, but asked: "What if Emperor Yelu Longxu of the Liao Dynasty doesn't personally lead his troops to the border of the Song Dynasty?"
Zhao Zhen laughed and said, "If he doesn't lead the troops here in person, his name won't be Yelu Longxu. Besides, there are so many troops on the border. If he doesn't keep an eye on them in person, how can he rest assured?"
Chen Lin heard the voice of Zhao Zhen's words, "The officials are not worried either?"
Zhao Zhen nodded without hesitation, "Fourth Brother, I am relieved, but others are not. Once Liao, Heihan, and Qingtang attack our Song Dynasty together, they will attack our Song Dynasty from the east and west."
Then the fourth brother will definitely come forward to take charge.
I should be on the other side.
Based on my understanding of Fourth Brother, he should go to the place with the largest number of enemy soldiers.
Western Xinjiang, where Qingtang and Black Khan are located, is undoubtedly the place with the largest number of troops.
Then the fourth brother will definitely go to Xijiang to take charge.
Of course I should go to Eastern Xinjiang.
I have already visited the border of Song and Liao in person. With the temperament of Emperor Yelu Longxu of Liao, will he allow me to wander around the border of Song and Liao alone?"
Chen Lin nodded slowly and said: "In the past, when the military affairs of the Song Dynasty were targeted at us, even if the officials did not come in person, Emperor Yelu Longxu of Liao would come in person. This time when officials come in person, Emperor Yelu Longxu of Liao will definitely not sit on it.
Jingcheng Qian is watching."
Zhao Zhen said with a smile: "So, when I went to the border of Song and Liao, Emperor Yelu Longxu of Liao would definitely come. As long as he led the army of Liao to the border of Song and Liao, the rear of Liao would be empty.
When Liu Heng leads his army along the coast, he will surely march straight in."
Speaking of this, Zhao Zhen said seriously: "I just thought that Liu Heng could lead his army to stab the Liao Emperor Yelu Longxu in the ass, so I started a war with Liao, Heihan, and Qingtang without any courtesy.
"
"The officials are wise..."
Chen Lin praised.
Zhao Zhen said disdainfully: "What a wise guy... It's because my fourth brother changed my Song Dynasty and gave me the strength to challenge Liao, Heihan, and Qingtang that I did this."
"Why……"
Zhao Zhen sighed and whispered: "If the Song Dynasty in the past was faced with such a crisis, who would dare to speak of war? Who would speak of war? What the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty must be talking about must be asking for peace, and what they are discussing must be how much money to donate.
, can calm the disaster of war.
But how can the human heart be satisfied?
Once the enemy gains the upper hand, if he doesn't press forward step by step, he won't leave you any room to breathe.
Kou Zhun forced my father to go to the battlefield and defeated the Liao Kingdom, so there should be no peace talks.
Even if the situation is stronger than others, we must pay tribute and negotiate for peace.
Later, after the commander returns to the court, he should also work hard to govern and strengthen his troops in order to avenge his previous humiliation.
But after Kou Zhun returned to the court, he was immediately criticized by the traitor Wang Qinruo and was dismissed from his position.
Later, Wang Qinruo, Ding Wei, Lin Te and other treacherous ministers took control of the government.
Not only did they fail to make every effort to govern and build up their troops in order to avenge their previous humiliation.
Instead, he encouraged his father to seek immortality and worship in the east and west.
The country was so huge that it was devastated.
Now that I think about it carefully, Wang Qinruo, Ding Wei, Lin Te and others have caused great harm to the country. Not only should they die, they should also be cut into pieces by a thousand swords."
Chen Lin smiled bitterly and said: "They are dead, why should officials compete with dead people?"
Zhao Zhen said quietly: "I am not competing with them, I just feel that the fourth brother has silently done a lot for our Song Dynasty. I have never discovered the intention of what the fourth brother did before I ascended the throne.
Now when I think about it carefully, I realize that my fourth brother has been quietly contributing to my country a long time ago.
Back then, my fourth brother told me to let me be the Taiping Emperor, and he helped me handle everything.
I was young at the time and believed it.
I am very glad that I was young enough to trust my fourth brother and was willing to leave everything to him.
If the fourth brother said this to me now, I would definitely suspect that he had ulterior motives."
Speaking of this, Zhao Zhen sighed and said: "He has done so much for me, but I can't give him anything."
Chen Lin hesitated and said: "The official family gave him glory and wealth, and gave him an official title."
Zhao Zhen glanced at Chen Lin, "Are you telling me a joke? Almost all the money in my private treasury was obtained by his planning. He went out to rob more than half of the money in the treasury.
There is also the incredibly wealthy Yizijiaozipu, which he also founded.
It was he who gave everyone in the Song Dynasty wealth and honor.
It wasn't me who gave him wealth.
As for the high-ranking official Houjue, based on his achievements, he would be able to occupy a high position even if he were an emperor."
When Chen Lin heard this, she didn't know what to say.
After being silent for a long time, Chen Lin suddenly said: "Are the officials worried that if Privy Kou makes merit again, the officials will not be able to reward him?"
Zhao Zhen glanced sideways at Chen Lin and said calmly: "What's not to reward? We don't allow living kings with different surnames in the Song Dynasty, but we can have them outside the Song Dynasty."
Chen Lin stared at Zhao Zhen blankly.
Zhao Zhen said frankly: "My Song Dynasty has successively captured the five states of Hexi, Xixia, Dali, and Yanyun. After winning the war with Liao, Heihan, and Qingtang this time, my Song Dynasty will definitely occupy Liao, Heihan, and Qingtang."
Qingtang and other areas have many territories.
The fourth brother played a piece of chess in Jiaozhi territory.
Later, after Jiaozhi was beaten to pieces, I, the Song Dynasty, could send troops and horses to clean up the mess.
By then, it is very likely that Jiaozhi will also belong to the Song Dynasty.
By then our territory of the Song Dynasty will most likely be expanded three times.
I am already very tiring in governing the Song Dynasty today.
When my territory of the Song Dynasty triples, I'm afraid I won't be able to manage it anymore.
At that time, I will not be able to govern parts of the territory west of Kucha, as well as parts of overseas territory such as the Japanese state.
The imperial court was also beyond its reach.
Setting up a Protectorate or something like that may not last long.
The establishment of the Duhufu in the former Tang Dynasty is an example.
Instead of supporting local forces to take charge, I would rather enfeoff those places to my own people.
Once local forces take charge and become powerful, they will inevitably fight back.
Their own people are different. They need to rely on the power of the imperial court to help them stabilize their place.
The imperial court also needed to rely on them to stabilize its borders.
If they complement each other, they will surely survive for a long time.
Even if the descendants of later generations were ineffective, the people of the Song Dynasty would be filled with resentment and chaos.
There will also be countless Han soldiers and horses coming from far away borders to Bianjing City to support King Qin."
Chen Lin's eyes widened in horror, "The official family wants to divide the feudal lords?!"
Zhao Zhen smiled bitterly and said: "What can we do if we don't distinguish? Once the territory is conquered, we can't give it back to outsiders, right? Take the Japanese country as an example. Liu Heng took over the entire Japanese country. I would like to send people to govern it.
But if you ask the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, how many people are willing to go to Japan?
Even if someone is willing to go, it does not mean that I can govern the Japanese country like I govern other places in the Song Dynasty.
It takes a long time to go back and forth from Bianjing City to Japan.
When my decree arrives in Japan, I may not know whether the people in charge of Japan will obey it or not.
If the people I sent were to establish themselves in Japan, seal off the sea and control Japan's external mouthpiece, I might not know about it for the rest of my life.
In this case, I might as well seal off Japan.
After all, by sealing the Japanese country away, I not only appeased the heroes, but also gained money, and did not have to worry about the trivial matters of the Japanese country. What he did in the Japanese country was of no importance to me.
But if I send someone to govern the Japanese country, I will have to worry about the local government affairs of the Japanese country all the time. If someone makes me independent, then my face will be completely lost.
More importantly, once our Song Dynasty defeats Liao, Heihan, and Qingtang this time, a large number of untitled heroes will emerge.
If I don't reward them generously, they will definitely cause trouble.
I have rewarded them generously, and soon they will become new military honors and relatives of the new emperor.
When I am alive, I can still suppress them.
If I die, who can suppress them?
When the time comes, whether they rebel or whether their old ways sprout and become a new scourge to the Song Dynasty, I will not be able to control them.
Therefore, the benefits obtained by entrusting those outsiders to them are far greater than holding those outsiders in their hands."
After listening to what Zhao Zhen said, Chen Lin felt dizzy and didn't know what to say.
Zhao Zhen sighed and said no more.
For Zhao Zhen, he cherished every territory acquired by the Song Dynasty.
Because every piece of territory acquired in his hands is a symbol of his achievements and a precious legacy that he can leave to his descendants.
If he had no other choice, he would not be willing to enfeoff the feudal lords.
But when manpower was limited, and in ancient times when communications were underdeveloped, it was extremely difficult to govern a very large territory.
This is also the reason why many emperors, after seizing many territories, were willing to support local forces to govern them rather than send people to govern them.
A territory that is too large will sometimes not only not become the national strength of a country, but may also become a burden to the country.
In addition, when a dynasty enters a period of decline, it will quickly lose control of those places that cannot be taken into consideration.
It will also cause a lot of tragedies.
Kou Ji once told Zhao Zhen the allusion of "a lonely city thousands of miles away, filled with white-haired soldiers".
Zhao Zhen decided to enfeoff the princes only after carefully studying that part of history.
When the Tang Dynasty was at its peak, it had a vast territory and thousands of miles of land, and could cover every territory to some extent.
But after the Tang Dynasty entered a period of decline, those territories that were out of reach of Chang'an became a paradise for enemies.
This created the heroic tragedy of "a lonely city thousands of miles away, filled with white-haired soldiers".
If the Tang Dynasty had enfeoffed them at the very beginning and gave them to capable ministers and generals who were capable and meritorious.
Maybe it will be a different scene.
Perhaps the feudal princes would not survive in the fief for a long time.
But at least under their governance, the local people will gradually become Chinese.
After the Tang Dynasty lost its control over various fiefdoms, it did not need to rely on some old soldiers to guard it, and it was impossible to be isolated and helpless.
Once the enemy invades, the local Chinese people will inevitably join them to defend the territory.
Other surrounding feudal princes will also lead their troops to help.
More importantly, when there was a rebellion in the Tang Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty could also use the name of righteousness to ask the princes from all over the country to lead troops and horses to Beijing to defeat King Qin.
Therefore, enfeoffing those territories that are beyond the reach of the whip is far better than swallowing them whole.
It was only after Zhao Zhen weighed the pros and cons and learned from the history of the rise and fall of dynasties throughout the ages that he thought of enfeoffing the land of Huawai.
As for the risk of counterattacking the Song Dynasty after those princes who were enfeoffed became powerful in Huawai, Zhao Zhen was actually not too worried.
Because the land that was entrusted to the princes must be dozens or even a hundred times smaller than that of the Song Dynasty.
Most of the local people are also outsiders.
When the princes arrived in a foreign land, it would take decades of hard work just to educate the local people.
It will take decades to expand the territory again.
If you want to have the strength to counterattack the Song Dynasty, you have to wait at least a hundred years, or even hundreds of years later.
As for a hundred years, or even hundreds of years from now.
Did the Song Dynasty have the strength to withstand the counterattack of the princes?
Zhao Zhen didn't care at all.
Because he knows that there is no point in caring.
By enfeoffing the princes, he left to his descendants a country that was dozens or hundreds of times larger than the princes.
By enfeoffing the princes, he left his descendants a peaceful country where they would not have to worry about invasion by foreign enemies for a hundred years.
He enfeoffed the princes in those bitter and cold places, leaving to his descendants an unbelievably rich country and country.
If the descendants cannot keep it, they will lose their temper.
It can be said that what he left to his descendants was an unprecedented peace and tranquility.
If the descendants really cannot hold on, they can only blame their own descendants for their ineffectiveness, and they cannot blame others at all.
Chen Lin didn't know what Zhao Zhen was thinking. When he saw Zhao Zhen sighing and not speaking, he thought Zhao Zhen was in a bad mood, so he whispered: "Officials... forgive me for being presumptuous... are you thinking too much?
"
Zhao Zhen slowly came back to his senses and looked at Chen Lin.
Chen Lin said with a bitter face: "Even if you want to divide the princes, you have to wait until you defeat the Liao Kingdom, Heihan, and Qingtang. What you should think about most now is how to deal with the Liao Kingdom, Heihan, and Qingtang."
Three parties attack our country, the Song Dynasty."
Zhao Zhen glared at Chen Lin fiercely, "You old man, you are becoming more and more unruly in front of me."
Chen Lin hurriedly said: "This slave deserves to die..."
Zhao Zhen snorted coldly and said: "I still have a lot to say. For example, if I divide the princes into feudal princes, I will have the princes help me guard the border, and I don't need to worry about foreign invasion and so on.
Now that I've been disturbed by you, I'm not in the mood to talk anymore."
Chen Lin quickly added: "This slave deserves death!"
Zhao Zhen said displeasedly: "You deserve to die for your crime. But now that I am in my employment, I will not punish you with death penalty. However, death penalty can be avoided, but living crime cannot be escaped. I will punish you by living a few more years, and you will always be here."
I am at your side waiting for you.
When I return to heaven, you will die."
Chen Lin was startled and said hurriedly: "The official family will live for a hundred or even a thousand years. The slaves will not live that long. The officials should allow the slaves to die first."
Zhao Zhen waved his hand impatiently, "Okay... It's unlucky to say anything about death."
"My slave obeys the order."
"Why……"
Zhao Zhen sighed and said, "I won't be used to having others serve me without you."
Chen Lin burst into tears all of a sudden.
Before Chen Lin could speak, another person burst into tears and burst into Zishi Hall.
"Woooooooooo..."
Zhao Run wiped away his tears and burst into Zishi Hall with a crying voice, and threw himself into Zhao Zhen's arms.
Chen Lin quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, quickly stepped forward and shouted: "Oh, little ancestor, that slave didn't serve you well."
Zhao Zhen looked at Zhao Run crying in his arms and frowned slightly.
"What does it look like to be crying?"
Zhao Zhen's displeased voice reached Zhao Run's ears, and Zhao Run stopped crying a little.
"Father...father..."
Zhao Run raised his head and stared at Zhao Zhen pitifully.
Zhao Zhen asked in a deep voice: "I told you that you are still young and I can tolerate your tears. But when you grow up, you are not allowed to cry anymore."
Zhao Run still stared at Zhao Zhen pitifully.
Zhao Zhen sighed in his heart and spoke a little softer, "Let me tell you, crying is of no use. Not only will it not solve any problems, it will also be seen as weak and easy to bully.
You cannot be weak or easy to bully.
Got it?"
Zhao Run hesitated for a moment and nodded stiffly.
Seeing this, Zhao Zhen asked in a gentle tone: "Tell me, what's wrong?"
Zhao Run choked up and said: "No one is with me..."
Zhao Zhen was stunned for a moment.
Zhao Run choked with sobs for a long time before he explained clearly, "They don't play with me or pay attention to me."