Fenghou

Wang smiled and said: "This seems to be more vicious than Huang Yougong's article!"

"Of course, Huang Yougong's article is false, but mine is true, and it was published by their own "Beijing News", so everyone will naturally believe in it even more. Once this understanding takes root in their hearts , when Chen Qing publicizes his magnificence again, everyone will think he is hypocritical, and the poison will be produced unconsciously."

Mrs. Wang praised her husband a few words, then took a sip of tea and reminded: "I want to remind my husband, today is the fourth day of March, and tomorrow the court will discuss the Western Army's attack on the Central Plains. Are you ready?"

Qin Hui waved his hand, "Tomorrow's court meeting will be changed to a small court meeting. After all, Chen Qing hasn't sent troops yet, so it's meaningless to discuss it now. The officials mainly ask about Zhang Jun's situation. It can be regarded as Zhang Jun's work report meeting!"

……

Yujie is a road extending northward from Da Nei. It is about three miles long. There are no houses and shops on both sides of Yujie. Basically, it is the entrance hall of various states stationed in Lin'an. In addition, Jin Guofu is also on the east of Yujie. The largest mansion.

On the west side of Yujie Street, there is the second largest mansion. On the sign is the Xuanfu envoy of Sichuan and Shanxi in Lin'an Jinzhao Hall. It still has a second name, and everyone calls it Yongwang Hall.

At this time, in the inner hall of King Yong's Hall, Wei Yanzong clasped his fists in salute and said: "Report to Special Envoy Hu, You Zhongwen did enter Qin Hui's Mansion, stayed for less than half an hour, then came out, and then returned to the newspaper office in a bullock cart."

"Have you found out about You Zhongwen's background?"

"It's almost time to report back to the special envoy. He is from Yingtian Mansion. He fled from Huaibei to the south last summer. He has no family members. He is currently living in a single courtyard of the newspaper office. He and the owner Yue Chen are classmates in the school. It's very profound, he should have come to An'an after receiving Yue Chen's letter."

Hu Yun was very annoyed that Qin Hui actually overthrew the "Beijing News" from within. If Wang Mu hadn't reminded himself at noon that he didn't know anything about it, the good "Beijing News" would have become Qin Hui's tool to smear King Yong. How could he tell Yong? Wang confessed?

"Where's Cheng Jinshen, the political moderator, did you torture him?"

"Cheng Jinshen is a soft-boned person. Once threatened, he recruited everything. He confessed You Zhongwen's old background. He is a local. He was originally the chief writer of the literature edition. He hugged You Zhongwen's thigh, according to his account. , Chief writer Hou Liang’s son was broken by a leg, and then Hou Liang succumbed, and in all likelihood, You Zhongwen paid someone to do it.”

"So he will probably find someone to attack Wang Mu."

"Exactly, as long as Wang Mu is injured and stays at home, You Zhongwen can do whatever he wants."

Hu Yun nodded, "I see, you go! Protect Wang Mu and wait for my news."

Wei Yanzong saluted and left. Hu Yun couldn't attack You Zhongwen right away. He had to discuss it with Zheng Tongquan. After all, Zheng Tongquan was the owner of "Beijing News", so he couldn't bypass him.

Chapter 956

The next morning, in the side hall of the Daqing Hall, the emperor Zhao Gou held a small court meeting, which was attended by Xiangguo and important officials. Compared with the grand court meeting, the small court meeting was more pragmatic and focused on solving problems.

And the Great Court is more of a retreat, a mere formality, nothing can be settled at the Great Court Meeting, and the things announced at the Great Court Meeting have actually been settled long ago, just let the ministers witness.

Zhang Jun just rushed back from Luzhou yesterday. On the one hand, he was doing his annual report, and on the other hand, he came to ask for money, grain and supplies.

As soon as he entered the main hall, Zhang Jun grabbed Liu Qiren, the military supervisor, "Liu Supervisor, this time I came back to ask you for something?"

Liu Qiren was taken aback, and quickly waved his hands and said, "Don't look for me, I only sent you [-] ships of military supplies last year, the Xuan Fu envoy should ask for money and food! That's your real purpose."

Zhang Jun laughed dryly and said, "I also need money, food, and supplies. The supplies you gave me last year didn't include firearms. Am I right?"

"Didn't you say that the court's firearms are all rubbish and useless?"

"The firearms of the imperial court are indeed rubbish. The iron fire mines of the western army have come out. You wood fire mines are still not sure. It's not rubbish, but I want firearms for training. I got information that Jinbing has equipped a large number of gunpowder barrels. , which are full of poisonous nails, my soldiers don't know how to defend against it, so I need a lot of firearms for training."

"I remember you still have more than 5 firearms in your inventory! Are you running out so quickly?" Liu Qiren asked suspiciously.

"What do you think, I have an army of nearly 20, and the training will be exhausted, and the [-] firearms will be used up after a few rounds of training. Give me another [-] firearms."

Liu Qiren shook his head like a rattle, "No, there are only 10,000 firearms in the warehouse, and [-]+ catties of gunpowder."

"Give it all to me, and I will find a craftsman to make the powder keg."

Liu Qiren still shook his head, "I can't give you all of it, I have to leave some for other troops, half of it at most."

"Half is fine. The army training is waiting for urgent use. You will send a boat to the dock in Dangtu County tomorrow, and my men will receive it there."

"Tomorrow? So what are you in a hurry for?"

"How can you not be in a hurry, when the golden soldiers call, you will be in a hurry."

At this time, a guard shouted, "Your Majesty is here!"

Zhang Jun quickly got up and returned to his seat, not forgetting to turn around and add, "It's agreed, the delivery will be made tomorrow!"

Liu Qiren looked at his back and cursed in a low voice, "The one who wants things the hardest, the one who fights and escapes the fastest, I'm pissed off!"

……

Emperor Zhao Gou sat down on the dragon couch, and everyone stood up and saluted, "See Your Majesty!"

Zhao Gou took a look and asked Qin Hui, "Mr. Qin, are you all here yet?"

"Report to Your Majesty, they are all here!"

Zhao Gou waved his hands and said with a smile: "My dear friends, please sit down!"

Everyone sat down one after another, Zhao Gou said slowly: "Today I will mainly discuss with you dear friends about Chen Qing's dispatch of troops to the Central Plains. Another year, but the imperial court always let them down, and I am deeply sorry, but the golden soldiers are like wolves, and it is not easy for us to resist the southern invasion of the golden soldiers, not because we don’t want to go north, but because we are powerless.”

Zhao Gou made an opening remark, and finally gave a statement based on lack of strength. The next step is to use all the ministers to fully explain the emperor's heart and strength.

As the right minister, Qin Hui stood up without hesitation and said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to apologize. In fact, we have already marched to the north several times. Wang Heng even led his army to the outskirts of Bianliang. How can we say that we did not go to the north, regardless of the lives of the people in the Central Plains?

However, Chen Qing had never set foot in the Central Plains, and when he went out for the first time, he publicized them as the savior of the people in the Central Plains. So what are our previous expeditions?This is not fair, Your Majesty, we dispatched troops in a low-key manner to save the common people, and Chen Qing started to publicize before dispatching troops. He is actually trying to gain fame, which is disgusting. "

Immediately afterwards, Prime Minister Zhu Shengfei also got up and said: "Mr. Qin is right. We don't need to pay attention to the other party's propaganda. Whether we can recover the Central Plains depends on the final result. The Central Plains is not an empty house. You can occupy it as you want."

As expected of a prime minister, a lot of reasons have been found out for no reason. Qin Hui doesn't care about the result, but only looks at the process, emphasizing the court's attitude towards regaining the Central Plains. It can be said that he has been defeated repeatedly, and the court's attitude is better than Chen Qing .

Zhu Shengfei, on the other hand, did not talk about the process, but only about the results. You, Chen Qing, have not even written a word about recovering the Central Plains, so what are you bragging about here?

Zhao Gou was quite satisfied with the two explanations. He glanced at Zhang Jun and said, "General Zhang, you have been confronting Jin Bing for a long time, and you know the situation of Jin Bing well. Do you think Chen Qing has the ability to regain the Central Plains? Tell me about your situation." view."

Zhang Jun quickly bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I don't know Chen Qing's strength, but I know the strength of Wanyan Wushu very well. He has a total of 25 troops in the Central Plains. If the 15 troops in Hebei are counted, Jin Guo actually has 40 troops on the Central Plains-Hebei line. Chen Qing's total strength may not be comparable to Jin Bing.

Second, Wanyan Wushu has [-] special troops, [-] kidnapped horses and [-] iron stupas. This is the most powerful cavalry, which can basically sweep everything. That's because they didn't have the opportunity to take advantage of the cavalry. Now the Central Plains is a plain area, which is where the Jurchen cavalry can give full play to their advantages. To be honest, the humble officials are not optimistic about this Chen Qingdong expedition. "

Zhao Gou nodded, "It seems that we still have to ask the general about military matters. Although I don't want Chen Qing to fail, I don't want to see him be so arrogant and rampant, stepping on the shoulders of the court to show his righteousness, without the court exhausting all supplies. Fighting Jin Bing and constantly weakening Jin Bing's strength, how can he have the opportunity now? We don't need to pay too much attention, it is more important to do our own things well, envoy Zhang Xuanfu, take this opportunity today to briefly report on last year The situation of the Huaixi Army!"

"The lowly position complies with the order. Last year, the Huaixi army fought 23 times with the Jin soldiers and the puppet Qi army on both sides of the Huaihe River. Among them, they won [-] times and lost [-] times. They killed more than [-] enemies, and we suffered [-] casualties. For the rest of us, it should be said that we have the upper hand and firmly guard the front line of the Huaihe River."

Xu Xiantu secretly scolded Zhang Jun for being shameless. Zhang Jun's own army retreated southward to the Yangtze River. It was Yue Fei's army who crossed the border to attack the Jin soldiers. Was he the one who guarded the front line of the Huaihe River?

But the emperor loved to listen, so Zhao Gou waved his hand excitedly, "Please continue to talk, envoy Xuanfu!"

……

At night, the romantic You Zhongwen came out of a brothel, and his gait was a little staggered due to his drunkenness. When he saw a bullock cart parked opposite him, he beckoned, and the bullock cart turned around and came slowly, stopping in front of him. Down.

You Zhongwen boarded the car and muttered, "Go to the "Beijing News" office!"

He leaned on the soft cushion, closed his eyes and rested, the bullock cart shook slightly, and he fell asleep unconsciously.

After an unknown amount of time, You Zhongwen woke up suddenly. He was horrified to find that he was held down by two strong men. He was about to ask questions when a ball of rags was stuffed into his mouth, making him 'Woo!Woo! 'Can't make a sound.

Immediately there was darkness in front of his eyes, a cloth bag covered his head, and soon his hands and feet were tied up, and he curled up on the ground, unable to move like a boiled prawn.

You Zhongwen yelled and struggled desperately. Suddenly, someone kicked his waist hard, and the pain was so painful that he dared not move.

"Sleep honestly, we will send you back to your hometown!"

Someone whispered something in his ear, and You Zhongwen suddenly fainted from fright. He understood that going back to his hometown was going to the underworld.

More than ten days later, when You Zhongwen regained his freedom, he found himself outside Yingtian City. He really returned to his hometown, but the thousands of coins he saved through hard work are still in Lin'an!

After waiting for ten days, Qin Hui still couldn't wait for his article, so he sent someone to question You Zhongwen, only to learn that You Zhongwen had gone back to his hometown to visit his relatives. Dare to retaliate, since Chen Qing knew the details of his son Lin Yifei, he didn't dare to use tricks against Chen Qing's people again.

Even if he wants to use it, he must be encouraging others to do it.

Chapter 957 Backstage

The court discussion was just the emperor Zhao Gou spreading a message to the ministers. He was very concerned about Chen Qing's dispatch of troops to the Central Plains, and hoped that someone could give him advice and solve problems.

Trying to figure out the holy will is a must for every courtier. In just half a month, hundreds of courtiers wrote letters to the emperor, explaining their countermeasures. Even Yue Fei, who was far away in Xiangyang, also wrote to the emperor, suggesting that while the Jin soldiers were in Luobian, Taking advantage of the opportunity to fight against the Western Army, he sent troops to the east and occupied most of the eastern state capitals.

Yue Fei's letter was ignored by the emperor Zhao Gou. The armistice agreement is here. He is the emperor of the Great Song Dynasty. How could he go back on his word and tear up the agreement?

However, Zhao Gou was quite tempted by the letter written by the censor Zhong Cheng Wan Qixi, "The elite soldiers of the Western Army are all in the Central Plains, and Chen Qing has no time to look south. ? '

Zhao Gou immediately summoned Qin Hui and Zhu Shengfei, the left and right ministers, and Xu Xiantu, the privy envoy, to discuss.

Wan Qixi is Qin Hui's confidant, how could Qin Hui not know this letter?

He knew the emperor Zhao Gou very well, he was strict with the inside but feared the outside, he was servile to the Jin soldiers, but he was cruel and merciless to the Song people, if he didn't move, he wouldn't call the three of them to come to discuss.

"Your Majesty, why bother, just find a suitable excuse to send troops. Even if people in the world understand, they have nothing to say."

Zhao Gou nodded, "I understand what Qin Xianggong means, the key is that this excuse is hard to come by."

Qin Hui smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, you can repay him in his own way. How did they find an excuse to enter Jingnan South Road?"

"Qin Xianggong is talking about suppressing bandits?"

Qin Hui nodded, "Suppressing bandits is indeed a good excuse. It can be used anytime and anywhere. If necessary, you can even send an army to pretend to be bandits and occupy the mountain as king."

Next to him, Zhu Shengfei said, "Your Majesty, I think it's a good excuse to attack private salt dealers."

The suggestions of both of them are good, Zhao Gou nodded, then glanced at Xu Xiantu again, "What does Xu Aiqing mean?"

Xu Xiantu said indifferently: "Jingnan South Road is originally the territory of the imperial court. You don't need to find any excuses, just send troops there. If there is a conflict between the two sides, then simply drive the Sichuan-Shaanxi Army out of Jinghu South Road. You don't need to make any messy excuses. , not airy at all, making people laugh."

Qin Hui and Zhu Shengfei's faces froze, and Zhao Gou clapped his hands and laughed, "It's a good one to send troops directly. I wonder who Xu Aiqing recommends to lead the troops to South Jingnan Road?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I have recommended Li Gang as the envoy of the two routes of Jinghu, and Yue Fei as the deputy envoy and commander of the capital. They will send troops from Xiangyang to the south. However, there is no rush to send troops now, depending on the situation in the Central Plains."

Zhao Gou walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, nodded and said, "I'm sure, I'll announce Li Gang and Yue Fei to the pilgrimage immediately!"

Qin Hui and Zhu Shengfei resigned, and Xu Xiantu was left behind.

Emperor Zhao Gou stood in front of the window, and after a while, he asked lightly, "I heard that Xu Aiqing and Zheng Tongquan have a close relationship, is that true?"

Xu Xiantu was startled, is the emperor going to attack Zheng Tongquan?

He hurriedly bowed and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, in the third year of Shaoxing, my father was seriously ill. Thanks to Uncle Zheng Guo, who sent a millennium-old ginseng in his collection in time, it saved my father's life. I will repay my kindness." , have always had a good relationship with him."

"It's that simple?"

"There are still some business contacts."

Zhao Gou nodded, and said again: "I just found out that Zheng Tongquan actually has [-]% of the "Beijing News". His relationship with Chen Qing is extraordinary!"

Xu Xiantu bowed and said: "Your Majesty, there are actually quite a few people who have a close relationship with Chen Qing, like Zhang Jun, Li Gang, Zhao Ding, not to mention Lu Yihao, and even Wei Chen has been a marriage seeker for him, Chen Qing and Zheng Ping There is brotherhood, Zheng Tongquan can be said to be Chen Qing's elder, and it is normal to have a good personal relationship, but I believe that Zheng Tongquan is just a businessman, not a court official, as long as he does not harm the interests of the court, there is nothing wrong with his personal relationship with Chen Qing."

Zhao Gou sneered twice and said: "Did he really not harm the interests of the court? He has [-]% of the members of the "Beijing News". Also, don't think that I don't know the source of the hundreds of large ships that Chen Qingdong came to."

"Your Majesty, the "Beijing News" is a newspaper approved by His Majesty. It has been registered in the Ministry of Rites and the Admonition Court. Although it promotes Chen Qing too much, the newspaper has never criticized the imperial court. Just to take care of the life of the newspaper staff, he cannot interfere with the reports of the "Beijing News", and Chen Qing will not allow anyone to interfere with the content of the newspaper. Everyone knows this well. As for the matter of the ship, I specifically asked Zheng Tongquan .”

"How did he say?"

"He said that the ship is not owned by him. It is a business firm jointly established by Chen Qing and Zheng Ping, and it is only listed under the property of the Zheng family."

"But after all, he still covered Chen Qing. I have been humiliated by a hundred sea ships. Shouldn't this debt be settled with him?"

Xu Xiantu sighed and said, "Your Majesty hasn't broken up with Chen Qing yet. Chen Qing is still a minister of the Song Dynasty. It is normal for Chen Qing to have power in Lin'an. Your Majesty can also send people to Jingzhao to run newspapers or do business, and Chen Qing will not interfere. , if His Majesty wants to take action against Zheng Tongquan, it will be tantamount to breaking the skin with Chen Qing, and the consequences that will follow, has Qin Xianggong told His Majesty?"

Zhao Gou sneered and said, "If you kill a mere businessman, your face will be torn apart. Is he really so childish?"

"Your Majesty, I know Chen Qing very well. Your Majesty wants to seize the Jing South Road. I have no objection, because I know that Chen Qing will not fight for the territory and the court. But Zheng Tongquan is different. He is Chen Qing's elder. , Chen Qing has no parents or brothers, killing Zheng Tongquan is like killing his father, he will definitely break with Da Song completely, please think twice, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Gou said for a long time: "Forget it, the court's finances are difficult, but Zheng Tongquan is as rich as an enemy. If he is asked to donate a little money to the court, I will let him go this time."

Qin Hui persuaded Zhao Gou to kill Zheng Tongquan on the pretext of collaborating with the enemy, and seize all the wealth of the Zheng family in order to enrich the treasury. Zhao Gou was also quite tempted, but Xu Xiantu's words made him hesitate again, especially the consequences of tearing his face with Chen Qing. He really can't bear it.

But let it go, Zhao Gou is not reconciled, so let Zheng Tongquan pay a sum of money to atone for his crime!

Xu Xiantu also knew that reporting to the office was a trivial matter, but the key was that the emperor was worried about those hundreds of large ships. With the emperor's disposition of vengeance, he would never let the Zheng family go. Sooner or later, he would attack the Zheng family. , I am afraid it will be difficult to pass this level.

Xu Xiantu nodded, "Humble job, go and persuade him to do his best for the court!"

……

Zheng Tongquan has been busy with newspaper matters these days, and the deputy director You Zhongwen was forcibly expelled. This is also Zheng Tongquan's intercession, otherwise You Zhongwen would really return to his hometown.

Under Zheng Tongwen's interference, the position of the newspaper was restored to the position before the adjustment. The duplicitous Cheng Jinshen was fired. Zheng Tongquan simply picked a capable manager from the Zhengjia Commercial Bank as the deputy director. Anyway, it doesn't involve content, just print and distribute. The manager is equally competent and loyal.

Wang Mu continues to serve as editor, but he can no longer keep a low profile. Everyone in the newspaper knows that he is the supervisor of the newspaper. His real power is even higher than that of the editor. This editor can.

After finishing his work on the newspaper, Zheng Tongquan was just about to leave for Mingzhou overnight, when Xu Xiantu's family sent a greeting card. Xu Xiantu would come to visit him tonight, so Zheng Tongquan had to change his plan and set off tomorrow morning.

As soon as night fell, Xu Xiantu's carriage arrived at the Zheng Mansion under the escort of dozens of warriors. Zheng Tongquan personally greeted Xu Xiantu's arrival in front of the mansion.

Zheng Tongquan was still Uncle Zheng Guo last year, but this year there are not many people who call him Uncle Zheng Guo. The reason is that the Empress Dowager Zheng died of illness at the end of last year.

Fortunately, Zheng Tongquan still has some backstage backgrounds in Lin'an, Xu Xiantu is one, and the Qian family is also one, but Zheng Tongquan himself does not realize that his real background is Chen Qing, and even the emperor Zhao Gou dare not touch him.

Xu Xiantu and the Zheng family are bound together by a thousand-year-old ginseng. In the many profitable industries of the Zheng family, Xu Xiantu and the Qian family each have about [-]% of their members. It is this community of interests that maintains the security of the Zheng family. He dared to move them, but if the emperor wanted to move the Zheng family, then Xu Xiantu and the Qian family would not be able to keep them.

The two exchanged greetings in front of the door, and Zheng Tongquan invited Xu Xiantu to the guest hall.