When Zhao Zhen finished speaking, the civil and military officials in the court were dumbfounded.
It was quiet in Chui Gong Hall.
Everyone's eyes fell on Lu Yijian.
They all knew how difficult it was for Lu Yijian to raise 1.4 million troops for Zhao Zhen.
Now that Zhao Zhen has opened his mouth, another one million troops have been added.
Lu Yijian may have to die.
And then add another million?
What did Lu Yijian use to raise funds?
Millions upon millions, how many millions are there?
Lu Yijian's face turned blue in an instant, he was breathing heavily in his nostrils, and the beard at the corner of his mouth was shaking up and down.
He felt like a big stone was pressing on his heart instantly, making him breathless.
When Lu Gongzhu saw Lu Yijian's face, he felt very uncomfortable. He felt that Zhao Zhen was forcing others to do something difficult.
"Officials, the imperial court has already recruited two million soldiers and horses. If we recruit more..."
Mr. Lu spoke in a somewhat stiff tone.
Zhao Zhen narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Mr. Lu.
"shut up!"
Lu Yijian suddenly shouted in a low voice, interrupting Mr. Lu's words.
Everyone in Chui Gong Hall was shocked.
The same is true for Lu Gong's work.
Lu Yijian looked at Lu Gongzhu with a gloomy face, and shouted in a deep voice: "The government wants to recruit another million soldiers and horses, and the government has its own considerations. What right do you, a little servant, have to criticize the government's decision? "
"father!"
Mr. Lu shouted anxiously.
Lu Yijian shouted again: "Shut up, there are no fathers and sons in the court, only upper and lower officials. Call me Lu Xiang, or my official name."
Duke Lu gritted his teeth and said in a trembling voice: "Prime Minister Lu, our Song Dynasty has more than three million soldiers and horses, including the newly recruited troops.
Raising another million would mean more than four million soldiers and horses, which the imperial court simply could not afford.
Besides, our Song Dynasty is now in peace all over the world, with more than 4 million troops and horses, and there is nowhere to use it."
It seems that Lu Gongzhu said this to Lu Yijian, but in fact he said it to Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhen squinted his eyes and stared at the father and son without saying anything.
Cai Qi, the newly appointed counselor and political officer, hesitated for a moment, then went out to report: "In the official family, I think what Lu Gong said is reasonable. The number of troops in the imperial court has exceeded three million, which has been several times higher than before.
The amount of money spent every year reaches tens of millions, which has reached three-fifths of my income in the Song Dynasty.
Recruiting another million soldiers and horses would cost more than two-thirds of my Song Dynasty annual revenue.
By that time, after spending all the money collected during the Song Dynasty on our troops and horses, there will be very little left.
I am afraid that even the salaries of all officials in the government and the public will not be paid.
At present, our Song Dynasty is peaceful all over the world, and we have no rivals within the four wild areas.
The imperial court no longer needs to recruit large numbers of soldiers and horses.
Therefore, I sincerely ask the officials to think twice."
With an important person like Cai Qi taking the lead, other civil servants came out one after another to petition.
"I sincerely ask the officials to think twice!"
"I second the proposal!"
"I second the proposal!"
"..."
Zhao Zhen quietly watched the civil servants leave work one after another. It was not until the last person left work that Zhao Zhen slowly spoke, "The reason why I decided to add another million yuan was naturally my consideration. As for whether I can afford it, I know it well."
"For officials, when it comes to recruiting soldiers, it's not something that the officials have in mind. They have to have money in the treasury."
Cai Qi was worthy of being a royal censor. After Zhao Zhen's words came to light, he decisively spoke out.
Zhao Zhen didn't talk nonsense to Cai Qi. He ordered Chen Lin beside him, "Go and bring the secret notes from Jiaozhi."
Chen Lin agreed and ordered people to get Jiaozhi's secret memorial.
Not long after, a little Huangmen appeared in the Chui Gong Hall holding a secret memorial.
Zhao Zhen did not ask Xiaohuangmen to present the secret memorial, but asked Xiaohuangmen to hand the secret memorial to Cai Qi.
Cai Qi was not polite. He took the secret memorial from Xiaohuangmen and read it carefully.
Half a quarter of an hour later, Cai Qi raised his head amid the curious eyes of civil and military officials in the court, and looked at Zhao Zhen with a strange look on his face.
Zhao Zhen asked Cai Qi very calmly, "What does Aiqing think of Jiaozhi?"
Cai Qi said categorically: "Jiaozhi is my land of the Song Dynasty."
When the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty heard this, they became even more curious.
Zhao Zhen nodded with satisfaction, "Then I recruit one million soldiers and horses to prepare for war. Aiqing, what do you think is wrong?"
Cai Qi said decisively: "One million is not enough, so let's recruit another million."
As soon as these words came out.
The whole court was in an uproar, both civil and military.
Lu Gongzhu and Lu Yijian's people all stared at Cai Qi angrily.
They think Cai Qi is a traitor.
They finally pushed Cai Qi to the position of participating in political affairs, and they still expected Cai Qi to speak for Lu Yijian.
But Cai Qi only said a few words to Lu Yijian, read a secret report, and immediately rebelled.
The reaction of the military ministers was completely different from that of the civil servants. When the military ministers heard that there was going to be a battle, they were all gearing up and wanted to go to the battlefield with their troops now.
Immediately all the feudal princes passed away.
The current Song Dynasty can soon be crowned king.
Who doesn’t want to occupy a territory and become a prince?
Zhao Zhen, amidst the different expressions of civil and military officials throughout the dynasty, said with a faint smile: "Did you all hear this?"
The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty looked at me and I looked at you without saying anything.
Only Wang Zeng slowly left the office and asked: "Guan family, I want to know what is in the secret memorial?"
Zhao Zhen did not hide anything, and smiled calmly: "It's nothing. The people I sent to Jiaozhi told me that the rice in Jiaozhi is harvested three times a year, and in some places it is harvested four times a year.
Although the taste is not as good as the rice that is harvested twice a year in Jiangnan and other places, it is enough to satisfy your hunger.
My people have calculated that if one hundred thousand people work hard and intensively, the food produced can feed about six times the number of people, or even more.
I calculate that as long as the three million people work hard and cultivate intensively, we, the Song Dynasty, should no longer have to worry about food."
Three crops a year?
Four crops a year?
Crazy?
Is there any place like this in the world?
When our army in the Song Dynasty was at its sharpest, this kind of place did not belong to our country in the Song Dynasty?
The civil and military officials in the court immediately exploded, and everyone started talking among themselves.
The whispers spread throughout Chui Gong Hall.
Only Wang Zeng stared at Zhao Zhen in astonishment and asked: "Is what the official said true?"
Zhao Zhen laughed out loud and said, "I don't have to fool you with this kind of thing, right?"
Wang Zeng hurriedly said: "I just find it a bit unbelievable."
Zhao Zhen said with emotion: "When I first learned about this matter, I thought it was incredible, so I sent people to investigate three times.
The results obtained are consistent.
So I have to believe it.”
Wang Zeng said solemnly: "Even so, then Jiaozhi should belong to me, the Song Dynasty."
After Wang Zeng said this, the minister of Honglu Temple murmured in a low voice: "When the Song Dynasty conquered the Liao Dynasty, Jiaozhi sent troops to help us. Raising troops rashly will damage the reputation of the Song Dynasty. "
Wang Zeng said unceremoniously: "We, the Song Dynasty, have incorporated Jiaozhi into the land of kings. It is an honor for Jiaozhi."
When the minister of Honglu Temple heard such gangster logic, he smiled bitterly and did not dare to speak again.
Wang Zeng stared at Zhao Zhen and asked eagerly: "Guan, when will we raise troops? Who will be in charge? Ordinary people may not be able to take Jiaozhi for a while. I recommend Kou Ji as the commander, Di Qing, Yang Wenguang as the left and right vanguard, and Wang De
Used as general food supervisor.
If it is not enough, Zhu Neng and Zhong Shiheng can be temporarily recruited back to the capital."
Wang Zeng knew that the grain production in Jiaozhi seemed to be coming out, and he was worried.
If such a treasure land falls into the hands of the Song Dynasty as soon as possible, the people of the Song Dynasty will benefit from it as soon as possible.
Wang Zeng doesn't care about the rest.
Wang Zeng didn't care at all about such nonsense as being disrespectful, damaging to reputation, and having no excuse for sending troops.
Those nonsense words were used by the Song Dynasty to deceive itself and others when it was weak.
Now that the Song Dynasty is stronger than ever, and its military is sharper than ever, what etiquette, reputation, and excuses are there to talk about?
Big fists mean everything.
Etiquette, reputation, and excuses can all be punched out with fists.
Seeing that Wang Zeng was so anxious, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but laugh and said: "Wang Aiqing, don't be anxious, this matter needs to be settled slowly..."
Wang Zeng shouted loudly: "Guan Jia, our Song Dynasty has many soldiers and horses, small and small Jiaozhi, there is no need to take care of them."
Zhao Zhen said quietly: "We have soldiers and horses in the Song Dynasty, but the soldiers and horses have to be stationed on all sides to guard the Liao land. Now that the Liao land has just been leveled, there are crimes everywhere in the Liao land, and the soldiers and horses need to be suppressed.
If we can't solve the hidden dangers in the Liao region, how can you tell me to send troops to conquer Jiaozhi with confidence and boldness?
What if someone in Liao rebels just after I dispatch my troops?
When the fire breaks out in the backyard, I'm afraid I won't be able to save it."
Wang Zeng was about to speak.
Cai Qi was the first to shout: "Guan Jia, our Song Dynasty was able to cope with the invasion from the three parties of Heihan, Qingtang, and Liao with ease.
It is even easier to deal with the rebels in Jiaozhi and some Liao areas."
Zhao Zhen said with emotion: "Although I say so, I have banned all generals who are good at fighting. It is certainly feasible to call them back and use them.
But dear friends, you should understand that it is easier to invite God than to send Him away.
If they stay in Bianjing City and refuse to leave, they may ask me to grant them additional fiefdoms.
Then it would be difficult for me to deal with it.
And now every general who remains in our Song Dynasty has a heavy responsibility on his shoulders.
It cannot be mobilized easily.
Dear friends, you should understand my difficulties.
If I could send troops now, I wouldn't have to recruit troops all the time."
After Zhao Zhen finished speaking, Wang Zeng and Cai Qi frowned and stood there in deep thought.
Zhao Zhen’s words can be summed up in two points.
Liao was uneasy and he did not dare to send troops.
To stabilize the Liao region, a large number of soldiers and horses were needed to guard it.
The crux of the problem lies in recruiting soldiers.
After Wang Zeng thought about it, he said in a deep voice: "Didn't the official family recruit two million before..."
Before Wang Zeng could finish his words, Zhao Zhen interrupted him, "How can two million be enough? There are tens of millions of criminal records in Liao. Liao is even more vast, with two million people scattered all over Liao."
, is also a drop in the bucket.
You have worked with Zhang Zhibai for many years. You can write to Zhang Zhibai to see if two million people are enough for the land of Liao."
Wang Zeng gritted his teeth and said, "Then raise money!"
After a pause, Wang Zeng added, "If one million is not enough, then raise another million."
The population of the Song Dynasty was tens of millions.
In order to completely solve the food crisis.
For the sake of food and clothing for future generations.
Recruiting three million soldiers and horses is nothing.
Zhao Zhen nodded slowly, "So we have to rely on Lu Aiqing for this matter."
The eyes of all the civil and military officials in the court instantly fell on Lu Yijian.
Lu Yijian was like an outsider just now, not to mention how miserable he felt.
Now that he has become the focus of the Chui Gong Hall, he feels even more sad.
Zhao Zhen threw out a Jiaozhi, instantly pulling those who were neutral in the court and those who were friendly to Kou Ji into his camp.
Two of the three chief ministers of Zhengshitang have firmly supported Zhao Zhen in continuing to recruit troops. Even if he resists again, it will be useless.
Although the authority of those two people is not as good as his.
But when two people speak together, they are always stronger than him.
Lu Yijian is almost certain that before the Song Dynasty conquered Jiaozhi, Wang Zeng and Cai Qi would firmly side with Zhao Zhen.
There is a folk saying that food is the most important thing for the people.
Food meant everything to the people of the Song Dynasty.
Officials like Wang Zeng and Cai Qi who care about the people will never miss the opportunity of a large granary.
Principled people like Cai Qi, in order for the Song Dynasty to obtain the large granary of Jiaozhi, they still brainlessly supported Zhao Zhen in recruiting millions of soldiers, let alone others.
Lu Yijian felt her heart go cold for a moment.
He felt that Zhao Zhen was forcing him to leave the center.
Under the gaze of the civil and military officials of the court, Lu Yijian walked to the imperial steps with heavy steps, saluted Zhao Zhen solemnly, and said in a deep voice: "Guan family, the imperial court has recruited two million soldiers before. The recruitment period was difficult, and the officials passed through various places
You should be able to understand the documents submitted in the report.
I also spent a lot of effort to recruit 1.4 million soldiers and horses.
I can't raise another million, but I can't do it.
I also believe that no one in the government or the public can do it."
Zhao Zhen raised his eyebrows when he heard this.
When the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty heard this, they had different expressions.
Zhao Zhen and the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty knew what Lu Yijian meant by this.
Lu Yijian was telling Zhao Zhen that no one in the government or the public could recruit one million soldiers.
If Zhao Zhen wanted Kou Ji to take over his position, Kou Ji would have to recruit one million troops.
If the recruitment is incomplete, it is not because Lu Yijian is incompetent, but because Zhao Zhen deliberately made things difficult and suppressed him.
Wang Zeng heard the deep meaning in Lu Yijian's words and couldn't help but said: "I can try one or two..."
Lu Yijian looked at Wang Zeng.
Sharp eyes.
He seemed to be asking Wang Zeng why he wanted to protect Kou Ji.
Wang Zeng ignored Lu Yijian's gaze.
He knew why he protected Kou Ji.
Kou Ji's methods of doing things may have been a little more drastic, but there were many things in the Song Dynasty that Kou Ji could not accomplish without Kou Ji.
Kou Jiruo was disgraced because of recruiting troops and was replaced by Lu Yijian.
Then all the previous plans of Zhao Zhen and Kou Ji will probably disappear.
Wang Zeng was unwilling to see this happen.
Zhao Zhen was not angry because of Lu Yijian's extreme words, nor did he agree to Wang Zeng's request to give it a try.
Zhao Zhen said with a smile: "Since Lu Aiqing thinks no one can do it, then I will find someone to try. If this person can do it, Lu Aiqing will probably lose some face."
Lu Yijian gritted his teeth and said: "If there is really someone who can accomplish such a great thing for me in the Song Dynasty, it doesn't matter if I lose some face."
Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "In that case, I will announce his entry into the court tomorrow."
Lu Yijian said solemnly: "Why worry about tomorrow? Isn't it good today? The official family invites him to the palace, so that the ministers can learn from him how to be an official and learn how to run errands for the court."
After saying this, Lu Yijian bowed deeply and said, "Please give me your permission..."
When Zhao Zhen heard this, the smile on his face faded, and he lightly ordered Chen Lin beside him: "Since Lu Aiqing insists on asking for advice, Chen Lin, please go and make a trip."
Zhao Zhen didn't say who he was going to summon.
Chen Lin already knew it.
Chen Lin agreed and hurriedly left the Chui Gong Hall.
In the Chui Gong Hall, Zhao Zhen sat on the chair without saying a word, while the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty stood in the hall without saying a word.
The scene was very strange.
Chen Lin left the Chui Gong Palace, went to the Royal Horse Prison and picked out a good horse. After getting on the horse's back, she went straight out of the palace.
Not long after, he appeared outside the Bamboo Garden.
In the bamboo courtyard.
Kou Ji and Zhao Run are dividing the spoils.
A thick stack of handouts was placed in front of the two of them. Kou Ji picked up one and placed it in front of Zhao Run.
"One piece for you... one piece for me... one piece for me... one piece for you... one piece for me... one piece for me... one piece for you..."
Zhao Run looked at the Jiaozi who were much thicker than him gradually piling up in front of Kou Ji, curled his lips and said: "Sir, what do you think? Do you think the student is a childish naughty boy who is ignorant, or do you think the student is too stupid?
?”
After Kou Ji finished dividing the jiaozi, he raised his hand and took the jiaozi in front of him into his arms, and said with a smile: "You don't know how expensive firewood and rice are because you are not a family man.
Sir, all my property has been moved away by that guy Kou Tianci.
Now I just live with this little money.
Naturally, take as much as you can.
Besides, you were able to earn so much money because I discovered that my calligraphy was more valuable than my grandfather's calligraphy, so I asked you to sell my calligraphy.
I wrote the words, I made the payment, and I discovered the big business.
You just ran a leg, and you can get so much, which is already pretty good."
Zhao Run pinched the jiaozi in front of him and said with a sad face: "If I hadn't come forward, who would have believed that those words were authentic?"
Kou Ji asked back: "If you don't come forward, those words will not be authentic?"
Zhao Run was speechless.
Kou Ji put away his words and continued: "After all, you are the prince of a great country, and your family has a great business, so don't be so stingy.
Sir, I don’t even have a salary now, so I live on this little money.
Just think of yourself as Mr. Filial Piety, okay?
We, the Song Dynasty, advocate filial piety, and if your filial piety to your husband spreads, you will have a good reputation."
Zhao Run rolled his eyes and said: "Sir, can you first put away the Dongzhu that God sent back for you to enjoy, and the wild ginseng to replenish your body, and then say this?"
Kou Ji waited for a moment.
"I'm his father, shouldn't I be filial to him? On the contrary, it's you. I've been your husband for so long. Not to mention being filial, you didn't even give me a penny for repair.
Now I have to find a way to collect it myself.
Is it easy for me?”
When Zhao Run heard this, he knew that he was in the wrong, so he could only smile bitterly and said: "It's the student's fault..."
Kou Ji curled his lips and said in a neutral tone: "You are a man who knows no blessings despite being blessed. If I can accept your filial piety, sir, it is because I think highly of you.
I won’t accept it from anyone else.
You go out and ask around, if I, Kou Ji, accept the filial piety, the people who come to me on my own initiative can be queued outside Kaifeng Mansion from here."
Zhao Run couldn't refute this.
Kou Ji has never received a penny in bribes since he became an official.
There are so many people who want to give Kou Ji bribes or try to get on Kou Ji's side.
As long as Kou Ji lets out a little bit of information, there will definitely be an endless stream of people coming to offer bribes, too many to count.
After Kou Ji made Zhao Run speechless, he took a piece of calligraphy from his desk and sent it to Zhao Run, "This piece of calligraphy is worth one hundred thousand guan. If you don't have 100,000 guan, it won't be sold. Do you understand?"
"
Zhao Run nodded and solemnly put away Kou Ji's words.
Although Kou Ji always likes to take advantage when dividing the spoils.
But there was indeed a lot given to him.
After all, whether it is Kou Ji's calligraphy or Kou Zhun's calligraphy, it can be sold for a big price.
Therefore, even if his share is small, it is still a huge amount of money.
Zhao Run took the letter, saluted Kou Ji, and hurriedly left the Zhuyuan study room.
After Zhao Run left, Kou Ji threw the notes on the desk without giving them a second glance.
He sighed slightly, "It's really difficult to be a teacher. Not only do you have to teach knowledge, but you also have to control the students' financial situation to prevent them from going out to learn bad things.
I have already searched a lot. I will talk to Yan'er later and ask her to talk to Empress Cao when she enters the palace so that she can search again."
Kou Ji made up his mind and prepared to go find Xiang Yan.
As soon as I left the study, I bumped into the door of the Bamboo Garden.
Behind Menzi followed Chen Lin.
Since Chen Lin came here following an oral instruction, she was considered to be carrying an imperial edict, so she could get started without having to pass it on.
When Chen Lin saw Kou Ji, she straightened her back and said loudly with her unique high-pitched voice: "The official issued an order to summon Kou Ji to the palace to see him."
"The grass-roots Kou Ji received the decree..."
Kou Ji slightly bowed his hands in a formal gesture, then straightened up and stared at Chen Lin suspiciously, "Why did the official suddenly summon me to the palace?"
Chen Lin said calmly: "The officials asked you to enter the palace to take charge of the recruitment of soldiers."
Kou Ji frowned slightly and said thoughtfully: "Isn't Lu Yijian in charge of the recruitment of soldiers? Hasn't he already recruited all the soldiers and horses that the officials want?
Did something happen in the middle?"
Chen Lin shook her head and said: "The previous recruitment was hosted by Lu Yijian. Today, the officials in the court made an impromptu decision to recruit another one million soldiers."
Kou Ji said in confusion: "Why did the officials suddenly make such a decision? The imperial court has already recruited two million soldiers and horses. It will be much more difficult to recruit another million soldiers and horses than before.
Officials should be aware of the difficulties involved."
Chen Lin sighed and said: "The official family was also forced to do that by Lu Yijian. This morning, Lu Yijian brought his disciples and old friends to the official family and asked the official family to move Cai Qi to participate in political affairs. He also asked the official family to move him.
Han Yang was the Minister of Hubu, and Lu Gongzhu was the Minister of Hubu.
He is blatantly promoting his own people, forming a party, increasing his strength, and preventing you from entering the court. Naturally, the officials will not like it.
Since Lu Yijian dares to do this, the officials will dare to force him to go down."
Kou Ji frowned and said thoughtfully: "Cai Qi shouldn't form a party with Lu Yijian, right? This man is a man of upright character and cannot be attached to any prince or minister."