Fenghou

But what Chen Qing was worried about was whether the Son of Heaven would be overwhelmed by the war and would start the northern expedition to Shandong Road.

If the imperial court really decides to make a northern expedition to Shandong Road, then the first battle will be Haizhou, which will conflict with its own plan.

He must pay attention to this matter and closely observe the actions of the court. Chen Qing immediately wrote a pigeon letter, ordering Niu Gao to send it to Lin'an with a flying pigeon.

Two days later, Chen Qing's army left Taiyuan City and continued southward, marching toward Guanzhong in mighty fashion.

……

Lin'an is still immersed in the joy of the Huaihe River victory. This year's Shangyuan Lantern Festival also has a lot of related content. For example, each child holds a victory lantern in their hands, and the words "Triumph and Victory" are written on the lantern.

The celebratory lanterns were lit everywhere, vendors were hawking Desheng cakes, and the palace was full of joy and victory celebrations.

Under the background of the atmosphere of celebration between the government and the people, the emperor Zhao Gou inevitably became a little swollen.

Not only did he change the year name to Shaoding, but he also had the idea of ​​competing with Chen Qing. Of course, he didn't want to break out a war with Chen Qing, but to compete with Chen Qing. If Chen Qing can do it, he can do it himself. do it.

Chen Qing took back Henan Road, so why couldn't he take back Shandong Road?

This seed of competition was quietly planted in Zhao Gou's heart when he got the battle report last year, and it began to grow crazily in his heart in the past two months.

Beginning this year, Zhao Gou increased the salaries for the soldiers. He also learned from the Western Army and paid the soldiers’ salaries in the form of land in their hometowns, but he was not as generous as the Western Army soldiers. Well, the cheapest land costs five guan ren per mu, and the monthly salary of soldiers in the Western Army is actually seven guan ren, which is much higher than that of ordinary people, so ordinary people are willing to serve as soldiers.

It looks like a lot, but it’s actually not much. Twelve acres a year, and ten years as a soldier earns only 120 acres. Soldiers in the Western Army usually have ten years of service. Most of the soldiers of the Western Army have two to three hundred acres of land after they leave the army. Even if they are not small landlords, they can be regarded as rich peasants.

But Zhao Gou was relatively stingy. He only paid the soldiers their usual salary every month, and only gave them one-third of the land every month. It took three years as a soldier to earn ten mu of land.

But it's pretty good compared to before.

Since December last year, the grain harvest situation in various places has been gradually collected in Lin'an. Zhao Gou is very concerned about it. He wants to go north again, and grain is the most important thing.

The first thousand and 170 chapters nine military inquiries

Qin Hui hurried into the imperial study room, bowed and saluted, "See Your Majesty!"

Zhao Gou knocked on the imperial case, a little dissatisfied: "Why haven't the taxes and grain production of Huzhou been sent yet? Today is the middle of the first month, when will it be sent?"

Qin Hui hurriedly reported: "Last year, the county officials in Huzhou changed. They need to familiarize themselves with the situation. I reminded you last time. It is estimated that there will be a report in the next two days. But please rest assured, the weather in Huzhou was good last year, and the harvest should be better than the previous year. Happy last year."

Zhao Gou's face softened a little, and he said to Qin Hui: "Tomorrow Liu Dutong will give a report on his duties, Qin Xiangguo should also participate!"

"Does Your Majesty need to ask my humble minister?"

Zhao Gou shook his head, "Tomorrow is the Privy Council's report, and the head of the Privy Council will ask questions. Qin Xiangguo just listen and understand."

Qin Hui felt as uncomfortable as swallowing a fly. Of course he would participate in tomorrow's job report. It was not a good thing for the official to remind him at this time. In fact, he was told in advance not to talk too much, and there was no room for him to ask questions.

Uncomfortable in his heart, Qin Hui still respectfully said: "My minister obeys the order!"

Zhao Gou remembered something, and said again: "In addition, the captured Mr. Wan, I want to use him to exchange benefits. How about exchanging Haizhou?"

"Your Majesty, you can give it a try! Send Wei Liangchen, the Minister of Rituals, to Jinan Mansion to negotiate with Wanyan Wushu. The minister thought that the Wanyan Digu we captured was a nobleman of the Jin Kingdom, and Wanyan Wushu should agree to exchange. In addition, Wei Chen suggested to prepare another backup plan, if the other party refuses to cede the land, then it would be good to exchange [-] war horses."

"War horses can!"

Zhao Gou said happily: "I heard that the Western Army is planting pastures by the river to raise sheep and cattle to develop animal husbandry. We have more rivers, so we can use the riverbanks to plant pastures, so we don't need to use cultivated land to plant grass and raise horses." .”

"Wei Chen understands, and will arrange it as soon as possible!"

Qin Hui bowed and retreated, Zhao Gou was in a good mood, and wrote down the four characters of "Victory without End".

……

In the morning of the next day, Liu Kai, the former commander of the military capital, gave his duty report in the side hall of Ziwei Hall.

More than 20 senior officials attended the debriefing.

This report is slightly different from the previous reports of other generals. This time, the emperor Zhao Gou proposed it on his own initiative. He was eager to learn about the situation of Jinbing on Shandong Road because of his expanding ambitions for the Northern Expedition.

The debriefing was presided over by the Privy Council, and Xu Xiantu asked questions as the prefect. Of course, the questions he wanted to ask were military affairs that the emperor was very concerned about.

Emperor Zhao Gou entered the hall and sat down, and everyone saluted together, "See Your Majesty!"

Zhao Gou waved his hand and smiled at Liu Qi: "Today's debriefing is mainly to ask about some military information, so Liu Dutong needn't be too nervous."

Liu Kai bowed and said, "The humble official will try his best to answer!"

Zhao Gou nodded and said to Xu Xiantu, "Let's get started!"

Xu Xiantu coughed and said slowly: "This time, the [-] troops you wiped out were all Jurchen cavalry. This is the content of your military newspaper, but a minister wrote that the ones you wiped out were not the real Jurchen cavalry. Is this rumor true? reality?"

The person who wrote the letter was Liu Ziyu. When everyone was celebrating the victory, he wrote a letter pointing out that encircling and annihilating [-] Jurchen cavalry with [-] troops is not something to boast about.

But why is this Jurchen army not that Jurchen army?Liu Ziyu was vague and did not say the reason.

But Liu Kai knew it well, and he also thought of a good answer to this question.

Liu Kai said calmly: "Report to Your Majesty, to Xu Xianggong, to all ministers, after the new emperor ascended the throne, the Kingdom of Jin has carried out many reforms. One of the reforms is to expand the scope of the Jurchens. The Bohai people, Shiwei people, Mohe people, Goryeo people, Khitan people, Xi people and other Donghu people who lived in the Kingdom of Jin were collectively called Jurchens.

In fact, after more than ten years of long-term war with us in the Song Dynasty, there are not many real Jurchens, with a population of less than one million. The most elite 20 Jurchens are in Liaodong, which is the Jin Emperor's guards, and there are 30 more The Jurchen army is distributed on Yanshan Road, Hebei Road, and Shandong Road. The 20 Jurchen army is the real Jurchen army, and the other [-] Jurchen army is the Donghu army, but it is also called the Jurchen army.

At present, most of the Jurchen troops on Shandong Road and Hebei Road are Donghu troops. Of the 3 Jurchen troops in Wanyan Wushu's hands, only 7 are real Jurchen troops, and the other [-] are Donghu troops.

The real [-] Jurchen cavalry are directly led by Wanyan Wushu, they focus on defense and will not attack at will, so the [-] Jurchen cavalry we wiped out are one of the [-] Donghu troops. "

Liu Kai’s data comes from Wanyan Dinaigu’s confession, which is confidential. Except for the emperor, the prime minister, senior officials of the Privy Council and a few generals, no one else knows. Liu Kai’s speaking today has made everyone gain insight. It turns out that the Jurchen army is also divided into two categories.

Xu Xiantu glanced at Emperor Zhao Gou, and Zhao Gou waved his hand to indicate approval. He knew the answers, but he wanted to know the military situation that he didn't know.

Xu Xiantu smiled and said: "I've settled this question, and my second question is the current situation of the troops of all parties in the south of Shandong Road? General Liu should know!"

Zhao Gou's spirit lifted, this was the question he wanted to know.

Liu Kai thought for a while and said: "At present, there are a large number of garrisons in the three parties. We have 5000 troops deployed in Suzhou, Chuzhou and Pizhou. Among them, Pizhou is divided into two by the New Yellow River. The western Pizhou is controlled by us, and the eastern Pizhou belongs to the Kingdom of Jin. , while the west of Xuzhou above Pizhou is controlled by the Western Army, and Pengcheng County is the Yellow River Water Army Station of the Western Army. There are [-] garrisons, all of whom are water troops. [-] signed troops, stationed in Haizhou and the east of Xuzhou, led by Li Cheng, the governor of the capital."

"The Western Army only has [-] troops?" Zhao Gou couldn't help asking.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Western Army has more than 5000 troops. This is just a navy army. As far as I know, the Western Army's garrison on Henan Road has about 10 troops, which is roughly the same as ours."

"If I want to attack Shandong Road in the north, where should I start?"

Liu Qi was a little embarrassed. This is an important military secret. How could it be revealed on such an occasion? There are too many people and it will be spread.

He had no choice but to say vaguely: "Reporting to Your Majesty, there are too many clues that need to be dealt with, and it is difficult for me to explain it in one word!"

Zhao Gou also realized that he couldn't say it here, but he was eager to know, so he waved his hand impatiently, "This is the end of the job report, retreat!"

……

In the imperial study room, Liu Kai bowed and said: "If your majesty wants to march north, I suggest that you not rush, take it step by step, and first seize the eastern part of Haizhou, Pizhou and Xuzhou. We have a foothold and use Haizhou as our foundation. , take the sea route to supplement logistics, food and grass materials, and after stabilizing the logistics foundation, continue to expand northward, capture three or four states, and then consolidate and carry out encroaching northward expansion."

"Then how many troops should I send?" Zhao Gou asked again.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, if His Majesty wants to seize Shandong Road, he must cast at least 30 troops."

"30 troops!"

Zhao Gou was stunned for a while, how could it be possible to cast so many troops?

The first thousand and 180 chapters assessment

Liu Kai saw that the emperor was hesitant, and said anxiously: "Your Majesty, there are also more than 30 Jin soldiers on Shandong Road, 30 signing troops, 40 Jurchen Donghu troops, and [-] Jurchen Tiefutu. The humble official said that at least [-] is enough." The limit is reached, even [-] troops are not enough, I am afraid that [-] troops will be needed in the end, Your Majesty, I am not exaggerating!"

The emperor Zhao Gou didn't speak for a long time, 30 troops, 40 troops, he has less than 50 troops in total, if he can take Shandong Road, it's okay, if he can't, or even the whole army is wiped out, then his court can still be preserved ?The risk is too great.

Although Zhao Gou was impulsive, he was not stupid. He knew what was more important than what was more important. For the sake of looking good, destroying his own country would not be worth the candle.

At this time, Xu Xiantu said next to him: "Your Majesty, what Liu Dutong said about an army of 40 to [-] is actually referring to a full-scale attack. It is indeed inappropriate for the army to press up and confront the Jin soldiers, but the minister thinks it is feasible to use [-]. The army, first seize Haizhou, Xuzhou, and the eastern part of Pizhou, and then look at the situation after it stabilizes. If the situation is unfavorable, take a defensive position, or even retreat. If there is a fierce battle between the Jin army and the Western army, we can completely fight each other. The fisherman reaps the rewards and expands northward silently, but with only [-] troops, I believe that if we adopt a prudent encroachment strategy, even if we can’t take down the entire Shandong Road, we can at least take [-]% of it.”

Zhao Gou looked at Liu Kai again, and Liu Kai nodded, "If it's a cannibalization strategy and you don't want to seize the whole of Shandong, then a hundred thousand troops is about the same. The Western Army took advantage of the opportunity to enter, and Wanyan Wushu is also a slap in the face!"

Zhao Gou also calmed down at this time, without the previous impulse, he pondered for a moment and said: "Let me think about it carefully!"

……

In Changfeng Teahouse, Hu Yun saw Wang Mu again, and Hu Yun said with a smile: "I have something to do today, please make up your mind as an aide!"

"Speak! I'm listening."

"A few days ago, I received a pigeon letter from Taiyuan from His Highness, asking me to pay close attention to the trend of the imperial court's Northern Expedition. I also said when the imperial court will start the Northern Expedition again. As a result, Liu Kai held a work report meeting this morning, talking about the Northern Expedition. , Your Highness has the foresight."

Wang Mu smiled slightly and said, "Your Highness must think differently from us, but why are you in trouble?"

Hu Yun sighed and said, "I don't know what His Royal Highness's intention in sending me is? To let me sabotage the Northern Expedition of the Song Army, or to tell him the progress of the Northern Expedition of the Song Army at any time, so I come to ask you for advice."

"What did the pigeon letter say?"

"Be sure to be vigilant about the imperial court's Northern Expedition! This is the sentence, which uses vigilance instead of concern, so I am a little confused. After all, vigilance has the meaning of intervention!"

Wang Mu thought for a while and said, "Your Highness is very measured. He won't let you do things that you can't do. I think it's too difficult for you to stop the Northern Expedition of the Song Army. Your Highness won't think so."

Hu Yun smiled wryly and said, "If I go to Xu Xiantu and ask him to persuade the emperor to give up the Northern Expedition, he can still do it. It's actually not very difficult."

Wang Mu pondered for a moment and said: "If you are asked to find Xu Xiantu, His Highness will definitely say that a volume of pigeon letters can contain more than [-] characters, and His Highness can definitely say a few more words, and won't use words that you don't understand. I think what he means by vigilance is to let you use resources to collect accurate information, and attention means to understand the general situation from legal channels, so the vigilance requirements are more detailed, allowing you to do things, but not to stop, it should be to collect intelligence .”

Hu Yun nodded, "I'm a fan of the authorities, and I really didn't think about the problem from the perspective of collecting intelligence. I know what to do."

Wang Mu smiled again: "In addition, I want to remind you that Han Shizhong built military ships in Zhenjiang Mansion and trained the navy. According to the news from the newspaper, they also have [-] large merchant ships of Wanshi. If the Song army attacks Haizhou , will definitely go to sea, you have to consider the possibility of sending troops by water when you inquire about intelligence."

"I understand, try not to use Xu Xiantu's line this time, and see if we can get information from other channels."

……

When Chen Qing arrived in Jingzhao, he wanted to handle the transfer of property with Zhao Kai, and he wanted to spend [-] yuan to supplement the Datong government office.

Chen Qing asked Wu Duo to lead his own soldiers to take Yao Mei back to the mansion first.

Yao Mei is really nervous, what if the princess doesn't like her?Will he send himself back to Datong Mansion?

Wu Duo saw Yao Mei's nervousness, so he smiled and comforted him: "Miss Xiaomei, don't be nervous, the prince has already written to the princess, the princess is kind-hearted and gentle, she will not make things difficult for you!"

Wu Duo's consolation reassured Yao Mei a little, and after a short while, the carriage arrived at the palace, and Aunt Wen waited here with two women. Wu Duo introduced to Yao Mei, "This is Aunt Wen, the steward of the inner palace."

Yao Mei hurriedly saluted obediently, Aunt Wen smiled and said: "Princess Wang asked me to bring Miss Yao in, please follow me!"

Yao Mei carried her small bag and followed Aunt Wen into the inner house in a buggy. When she entered the garden, she was amazed. She had never seen such a large garden. There was a mountain and a lake. There are small islands and attics, and there are large grasslands and woods in the distance.

Aunt Wen saw Yao Mei's eyes filled with amazement, so she smiled and said: "This was originally the emperor's palace, with an area of ​​about [-] acres. The lake water took up [-] acres, but there were not many houses, only about [-] acres. After the spring, everyone will move to the island to live, the main consideration is safety, the Fengqi Pavilion on the island is very large, there are surrounding buildings and yards, and there are two to three hundred rooms alone."

Yao Mei nodded slightly, at this time her beautiful eyes lit up, and there was a doe with several fawns on the snow beside her.

Aunt Wen laughed and said: "They are the treasures of the little princess. They live in the woods. No one in the house cares about them, so they come here."

"There is snow on the ground, can they find no fodder?"

Aunt Wen smiled slightly and said, "Someone feeds them specially, so I don't need them to look for food."

At this time, the carriage stopped in front of a large building complex, surrounded by walls, like a single house, estimated to have as many as several hundred rooms.

Yao Mei got out of the carriage, followed Mrs. Wen into the door, and went all the way to the back hall. When she walked up the hall, she saw a noble lady sitting in the middle, surrounded by a large group of maids and servants, and several young women sitting on both sides. All of them are full of jewels, probably the other concubines of King Yong.

Aunt Wen smiled and said, "Princess, she is here!"

It turned out that the one sitting in the middle was the concubine, Yao Mei hurriedly stepped forward to give a blessing, "Xiaomei sees the concubine!"

Lu Xiu looked Yao Mei up and down, and nodded secretly, saying that Datong Mansion produces beauties, and it really deserves its reputation. This little girl is very beautiful, especially with big eyes, black and white.

When Lu Xiu received her husband's letter, she was very surprised. She knew that her husband would never look for women outside. This was the first time, which showed that this little lady had something special in order to be favored by her husband.

Lu Xiu didn't hate Yao Mei, on the contrary, she was very grateful to Yao Mei in her heart. Her husband fell ill in Datong Mansion, if it wasn't for the little lady who devoted herself to serving her for five days and five nights, her husband would not have recovered so quickly.

But the palace has its rules, Yao Mei is not an ordinary maid, but her husband's personal maid, so she has to meet the conditions of personal maid.

Lu Xiu waved and smiled, "Miss Xiaomei, come here!"

Yao Mei stepped forward timidly, Lu Xiu pointed to a middle-aged woman beside her and said with a smile: "This is Dr. Liu from our house, let her check your pulse, don't be nervous, this is the doctor from our house Everyone has to go through the rules."

Dr. Liu looked Yao Mei up and down carefully, especially her eyebrows and eyes, and pointed at the small table beside him expressionlessly, "Put your right arm on the table!"

Yao Mei obediently put her right arm on the table. Doctor Liu took her pulse, made a careful diagnosis, and nodded to Princess Lu Xiu. Zhao Qiaoyun and others beside her understood what Doctor Liu meant, "It's a virgin!" '

Lu Xiu suddenly smiled. She was able to stay close to her husband for more than a month, and came back in a carriage all the way. She can still maintain her virginity. She is a qualified personal maid.

Lu Xiu told her maid: "Chunxi, take Xiaomei to her room, settle down first, and meet me in my room later."

Yao Mei also heaved a long sigh of relief, she knew that she had passed the princess assessment.

The first thousand and 180 chapters explain

An hour later, Yao Mei was taken to the living room of the princess. Yao Mei had already freshened up and changed into a new dress. It was a fine linen dress her mother bought for her. It was already very good in Datong, but in the palace, only Only the cook and the servants of the outer house wear such dresses.

Lu Xiu's attitude is completely different from just now. This is her husband's favorite personal maid, and it is impossible for Lu Xiu to send her back to Datong. As long as she and her husband have not had that kind of relationship, then Lu Xiu will recognize her up.