One Piece of Song Dynasty

Song Huizong continued to ask: "What is the military expenditure situation?"

Wang Fu replied proudly: "Your Majesty, please rest assured. Since the establishment of the Economic and Fufang Office, more than million yuan has been collected from all over the country. As military expenses for the Northern Expedition, I have been firmly in control and will definitely use the funds." It is dedicated and has special account books. In addition, each government in Hebei also has a certain amount of war reserve. Your Majesty does not need to worry about the expenses."

Song Huizong nodded and said: "Well, then, is there any news from Youzhou City?"

Wang Fu replied: "There is news that since the death of Li Chuwen and his son, the Han officials in Youzhou have been panicked. Now, rumors are spreading in Youzhou City that Concubine Xiao De and Xiao Qian, the king of the Fourth Army, plan to further purge the Han officials. . Your Majesty, there will be a lot of excitement in Youzhou City next time."

At present, the situation in Youzhou City is indeed as Wang Fu said. People are talking everywhere, saying that Concubine Xiao De is about to give an order to let Xiao Qian kill all the Han officials. The Han officials are all in danger and are looking for their own. way out.

All kinds of news are like the wind, blowing from Youzhou to Zhuozhou and Yizhou. Gao Feng, the governor of Yizhou, was a Han official in his fifties, and his family of dozens of people, old and young, lived in Yizhou city. After hearing these rumors, he felt restless and anxious. He heard that the Northern Expeditionary Army of the Song Dynasty had assembled and might march north to attack Yanjing in the near future. He thought, why not take the opportunity to sacrifice the city of Yizhou and break away from the Liao Dynasty in order to protect himself? But would his people accept it? Who would he send to establish contact with the Song Dynasty?

Yizhou is located southwest of Yanjing, about two hundred miles away. It goes to the west with high mountains and lofty mountains, and to the east looks at the vast plains, which are named after a Yi River. During the Warring States Period, Prince Dan of Yan sent the warrior Jing Kenan to assassinate the King of Qin, and they said goodbye by the Yishui River here. The wind rustles and the water becomes cold. This famous poem comes from this.

Gao Feng decided to discuss it with Tongshou Wang Tai. After a conversation, the two coincided. Wang Tie is also a Han official, and his family also lives in Yizhou. He is also worried about his future.

Gao Feng saw that Wang Tai also supported the return to the south, so he made up his mind and said: "I heard that the Song Dynasty army is about to go north. We should immediately send people to Xiongzhou, contact the Xuanfu envoy Tong Guan, and declare to him the intention of returning to the south. Wait for the Song Dynasty When the army came north to Yizhou, we killed all the Khitans in the city, united inside and outside, and dedicated the city to the Song Dynasty. What do you think?"

Wang Tie nodded and said: "I completely agree. However, who should be sent to Xiongzhou? This matter must be done secretly, and this person must be very reliable."

Gao Feng paced back and forth. He felt that he really couldn't find anyone trustworthy around him.

Wang Tie said: "I have a monk friend named Mingzan, and I think he can do the job. A monk going in and out of the city will not attract attention or arouse suspicion. Furthermore, I have a life-and-death relationship with him, so I can trust him." "

Gao Feng asked: "You are talking about the old monk from Jingjue Temple"

Wang Tie nodded and said, "That's him. Five years ago, he committed a crime at Yanjing Minzhong Temple, and I rescued him."

Gao Feng said: "Well, without further ado, you go to Taining Mountain early tomorrow morning and invite Master Mingzan."

Early that morning, Wang Tai came to Jingjue Temple in Taining Mountain to find Master Mingzan and quietly explained to him the purpose of his visit. Mingzan understood the righteousness well and was in favor of joining the Song Dynasty. He agreed and was willing to go to Xiongzhou to convey the news to Tong Guan, the Xuanfu envoy of the Song Dynasty.

On September th, Mingzan secretly came to Xiongzhou.

On this day, Tong Guanzheng and staff officer Yu Wenxuzhong were discussing matters in the Xuanfu Department. The guard suddenly came in and reported that there was a monk outside the door who asked to see Tong Xuanfu by name, saying that he had something important to tell him. Tong Guan felt a little strange. He had never had much contact with monks and Taoists. What kind of monk is this? He wants to ask for an audience by name. Is there really something important?

Tong Guan said: "Invite him to the West Flower Hall and meet him soon."

After the guard exited, Yu Wenxuzhong stood up and said, "I'd better go and see him first to see what his purpose is before we talk." Tong Guan nodded in agreement.

Yu Wenxuzhong came to the West Flower Hall and said to Mingzan: "Privy Privy Tong is busy with official duties now and can't spare time. He specially sent his subordinate Yu Wenxuzhong to come to receive him. I don't know where the master came from and what important matters he has to tell you here."

Mingzan smiled and said, "The old monk's name is Mingzan. He came from Yizhou and became a monk at Jingjue Temple in Taining Mountain. I have been entrusted by someone to tell you something important. I came here to see the envoy Tongxuan."

Yu Wenxuzhong said: "That's it. Master, please wait for a moment. I will inform Privy Tong right away."

Yu Wenxuzhong immediately reported Mingzan's situation to Tong Guan, and soon Tong Guan came to the West Flower Hall and said loudly: "I'm sorry, I'm late for something, please forgive me. I heard that the master has come from How is it going to be when you come from Yizhou?"

Mingzan stood up, clasped his palms together, and bowed slightly: "Mingzan paid homage to Tong Xuanfu. Today, the Han people in Yizhou are looking forward to it day and night, waiting for the arrival of the heavenly soldiers, and have been waiting for a year. Gao Feng, the governor of Yizhou, and King Tongshou Tai specially sent me here to report to Envoy Tong Xuanfu that they were willing to dedicate the city of Yizhou and return to the Song Dynasty. I came here specifically for this purpose and asked Envoy Tong Xuanfu to agree on a time for dispatching troops. When the army arrives in Yizhou, They are willing to lead the army to kill the Khitans in the city, cooperate with the inside and outside, and dedicate the city to its homeland."

Tong Guan had long heard that Yizhou and Zhuozhou were showing signs of surrendering to the Song Dynasty. When he heard Wang Xie say this, he was even more happy and said: "Gao Jishi and Wang Tongshou can obey the people's hearts, understand the general situation, and raise the banner of righteousness. I welcome them." , I now want to know how many soldiers and horses there are in Yizhou."

Mingzan replied: "There are currently five thousand troops, and they are all willing to obey Master Tong's command."

Tong Guan nodded and said: "Well, please ask the master to return to Yizhou immediately and tell Gao Jishi and Wang Tongshou that on the th of this month, our army will arrive at Yizhou City, and then ask him to open the door and dedicate the city. After that, I will I will definitely report it to the imperial court and reward according to my merits, and I will never break my promise."

Mingzan replied: "Yes, Sir Xuanfu, I will go back and inform Gao Jishi and Wang Tongshou to prepare for the arrival of the army."

On September , Xuanfu Division sent a message to Liu Guangshi of the West Route Army, ordering him to immediately raise his troops and march towards Yizhou. Tong Guan wrote a memorial all night to report this happy event to Song Huizong.

Song Huizong was very excited when he learned about it. He asked Liang Shicheng to find a map of Yanshan. He quickly found Yizhou on the map and gently drew a small circle.

At this time, Wang Fu came to report to Song Huizong that the Jin envoys planned to return to the country immediately and asked for credentials.

Song Huizong said: "I promised them to write the letter of credence myself and asked them to come to Chongzheng Hall tomorrow. I still have something to say to them."

The next day Wu Xie and Gao Qingyi walked into the Chongzheng Hall and knelt down and said: "It has been more than four months since I left our emperor in May this year and went to your dynasty as an envoy. Now, your dynasty still abides by the maritime alliance and has no If there is a change, I should return to my country immediately and report to the Emperor, so as not to worry about it. I would like to thank the Emperor for the generous reward, and thank you for the warm reception."