One Piece of Song Dynasty

Gao Ping took a breath and said: "The master wants to kidnap Emperor Maode."

Li Xin nodded and said: "Yes, don't worry. Now that the Jin army is approaching the border and an emperor is missing, the court has no time to investigate. Besides, Taishi Cai is not a favorite of the current officials. Maybe the current officials will still be there in the future." I'm going to do the surgery with Grand Master Cai."

Gao Ping cupped his fists and said, "Yes, my master, I understand."

Bai Shizhong and Zhang Bangchang believed that the Jin army was coming fiercely and had a clear goal, which was to come to the capital. However, our army in the capital was insufficient to defend the city. King Qin's army did not know when it would come, so the emperor stayed in the city for a long time. It was not safe, so they urged Song Qinzong to leave the city to avoid the war, and go to Xiangyang in the south or Luoyang in the west. They wanted to imitate Tang Xuanzong's strategy of avoiding trouble in Sichuan during the "Anshi Rebellion", avoid the enemy's sharp edges, plan for the long term, and avoid staying in the capital to prevent unexpected events.

However, Song Qinzong himself had many concerns about whether to defend the city or leave the city, worrying about gains and losses. He thought that he should go out of the city to Xiangyang or Luoyang. There would be no reliable people to rely on, he would be afraid of changes on the way, and he would have to bear the infamy of abandoning his clan and the people of the capital. By staying in the capital, he would have many available ministers around him, and the imperial authority could be maintained. However, he was afraid that the capital would fall and the country would fall into his own hands.

Song Qinzong had a very cowardly character. After thinking about it, two contradictory thoughts troubled him until late at night, and he did not make a final decision.

On the morning of the fifth day of the first lunar month, Emperor Qinzong of the Song Dynasty and the prime minister and ministers in charge were in the Yanhe Hall to discuss the plan to stay or leave. Bai Shizhong and Zhang Bangchang insisted that the emperor should leave the city quickly and go to Xiangyang or Dengzhou.

Wu Min strongly objected. He asked: "How can we abandon the millions of living beings in the capital?"

Song Qinzong also asked: "What should we do about the Zongshe?"

Bai Shizhong replied: "Recruit heroes to defeat the enemy. Since Yizu established his capital in Bianjing two hundred years ago, the strength of gold and soup and the benefits of weapons and armor are undisputed. He is also banned from traveling to Yuntun, and is known as brave." However, in recent years, externally Tong Guan has fallen, and internally Gao Qiu has not recruited and stabbed new soldiers, resulting in a lack of military and political repair. The imperial army in the capital is clearly unequal in strength and weakness compared to King Qin's army. If we rely on the imperial army to defend the city, There is a risk of something unexpected happening.”

At that time, Li Gang was serving in the Xuanhe Hall. He heard that the emperor was discussing with the governors about moving south to Xiangyang or Dengzhou, so he said to Zhu Xiaozhuang, who knew Dongshanghemenshi: "I have urgent official business and want to discuss it with the governors. Please report to the Emperor."

Zhu Xiaozhuang said: "In the old days, there were no officials who did not retire but asked to see the emperor."

Li Gang said anxiously: "When did this happen? We are still using the old rules."

Zhu Xiaozhuang immediately reported to Song Qinzong, who asked Li Gang to enter the palace and stand behind the ruling minister.

As soon as Li Gang entered the Yanhe Hall, he began to read: "I heard on the road just now that the governors wanted to ask your majesty to leave the city to avoid the enemy. If this is true, then the clan is in danger. And the emperor has passed the clan to your majesty. How can I leave now?" Song Qinzong remained silent.

Prime Minister Bai Shizhong asked: "How can we defend the capital?"

Li Gang replied: "Is there any city in the world that is as strong as the capital city? Moreover, the capital city is where the ancestral temple, the government, hundreds of officials and the people are located. If you abandon the capital city, where else can you go? If you can lead the soldiers, comfort the people's hearts, and stick to it." , is there anything that cannot be observed?”

As soon as Li Gang finished speaking, Chen Liangbi, the chamberlain who led the capital office, came out of the inner hall and began to play: "The construction of the oars in the capital city is less than one or two hundred. In the Fanjiagang area in the east of the city, the Hao River is narrow and difficult to protect. May your Majesty Discuss it in detail.”

Song Qinzong looked at Li Gang and said, "You can go with Cai Mao and Liang Bi to conduct an on-the-spot investigation. I am waiting for you here."

Li Gang then rode to the east wall of the new city with Cai Mao and Chen Liangbi, inspected the situation of the city, and then returned to Yanhe Hall. Song Qinzong asked: "How is the situation?"

Cai Mao replied: "I think it cannot be defended."

Li Gang said: "The city wall is strong and tall, but the oars are indeed not repaired. However, the Hao River can be defended without the oars. However, in the Fanjiagang area, because it is forbidden to dig, the Hao River is indeed shallow. However, if we use elite soldiers If you use the strong crossbow to occupy it, you’ll be safe.”

Song Qinzong looked at the ministers and asked: "What should we do now?" The ministers were all silent.

Li Gang said: "Today's plan is nothing more than to strengthen the army and horses, raise the voice to go to war, consolidate the hearts of the people, and stand firm to wait for King Qin's army."

Song Qinzong asked: "Who can be the coach?"

Li Gang replied: "The imperial court usually maintains ministers with high titles and generous salaries, just to use them in times of trouble. Although Bai Shizhong, Li Bangyan and others are scholars and may not know the military, they use their titles as prime ministers to control and govern." It is the duty of a soldier to resist the enemy's attack."

Bai Shizhong was furious and said sternly: "Li Gang, you can lead the troops to fight?"

Li Gang replied loudly: "If your majesty does not regard me as mediocre and cowardly, and orders me to govern the army, I am willing to die to do so. It's just that I am a lowly official, and I may not be able to subdue the soldiers."

Song Qinzong asked: "What official vacancies are there in the current government?"

Zhao Ye replied: "Shang Shu You Chengyu Wen Cuizhong followed Dao Lord Dongxing and left, so Shangshu You Cheng is missing."

Song Qinzong immediately decided: "Appoint Li Gang as Minister Youcheng."

Li Gang cupped his fists and said, "I am preparing to thank you, but I haven't changed into my official uniform, so I can't go out and perform my duties."

Emperor Qinzong of the Song Dynasty then gave him official robes, belts and wats in person. Li Gang immediately changed into his official uniform and thanked him, saying, "Because the times are difficult, I dare not refuse."

It was already lunch time. Emperor Qinzong of the Song Dynasty returned to the palace for a meal, and asked the ministers to eat in the verandah outside the gate of Chongzheng Hall, because the discussion would continue after the meal, and the decision to stay or leave had not yet been made.

After lunch, Song Qinzong summoned the ministers to the Funing Hall to discuss countermeasures. Bai Shizhong still insisted on asking the emperor to leave the city. He suggested that Li Gang should be left behind in Tokyo to guard the capital, with Li Zhe as his deputy.

Li Gang insisted that the emperor should not leave the city. He said: "When Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty learned that Tongguan had been lost, he immediately came to Shu. The ancestral temple and court were destroyed by the enemy and could only be restored after many years. Fan Zuyu believed that his fault was that he could not hold on to wait for King Qin's army. . Now that Your Majesty has ascended to the throne, he is admired both at home and abroad. Soldiers from all directions are gathering day by day. The enemy cavalry will not be able to stay for long. If you leave the capital and leave, you will be like a dragon escaping from the abyss. If your chariots start in the morning and the capital is in chaos in the evening, although your ministers and others will stay behind. , How can it be used to supplement the ancestral temple and the state, and it will become a ruins? I hope your majesty will think about it."

Li Gang's words moved Song Qinzong. He felt that his words were reasonable, but he hesitated about whether to leave the city. At this time, the chamberlain Wang Xiaojie reminded him: "The palace and the Duke have already set off, how can your majesty stay here?"

Song Qinzong suddenly changed his face, left the throne, and cried: "Please don't be stubborn anymore. I will personally go to Shaanxi to raise troops to restore the capital. We must not stay here."lv