bookrandom Chapter 1242: Difficult Things to Do
Chapter 1242: Difficult Things to Do
Chapter 1242: Difficult Things to Do
The officialdom of the Song Dynasty was often famous for brothers, uncles and nephews serving in the same officialdom, such as the brothers Cai Bian and Cai Jing, as well as Su Shi and Su Zhe.
They are all popular figures in Prime Minister Zhang’s residence.
But there is also an invisible relationship, such as Li Qingchen and Han Zhongyan.
At first glance, the two seemed distant, but Li Qingchen was Han Qi's nephew-in-law, so they were actually very close.
Li Qingchen was on good terms with Han Zhongyan, but he was not from Zhang Yue's faction. Although Zhang Yue tried to recruit Li Qingchen after he became prime minister, he was rejected.
Li Qingchen has his own ideas. Zhang Yue has no shortage of capable people under his command, such as Cai Bian, Huang Lu, Xu Jiang, Su Song and so on, but Wang Gui is different.
He may not be valued by Zhang Yue, but he can know his limits with Wang Gui, and the other party also relies on him to balance Zhang Yue's power.
Therefore, when Li Qingchen was in power, both Wang Gui and Zhang Yue kept a distance from him that was neither too close nor too far.
This time, Li Qingchen got the job of chief examiner of the provincial examination. For a scholar, this was almost the highest honor and something he longed for all his life.
Li Qingchen has been thinking about the exam questions these days.
Examination questions were the weather vane of the imperial court. In the past, people often used the meaning of scriptures to implicitly express political ideas and convey the thoughts or thoughts of the top leaders or themselves.
Therefore, Li Qingchen spent a lot of effort to come up with an appropriate test question that would not cause controversy.
Li Qingchen came from a clean family. Although he relied on the help of Han Qi, Han Jiang and Wang Gui in his official career, he was a graduate of both the imperial examination and the special examination. There was no need for him to gain anything through such political speculation.
Li Qingchen studied the classics at home and pondered over some good test questions, intending to select real talents for the country. At the same time, he ordered his family to pack up their clothes and bedding and prepare for what to do after locking up the courtyard.
But that night Han Zhongyan suddenly came to visit.
Li Qingchen was a little surprised and displeased when he heard that Han Zhongyan was coming.
Although his appointment as the chief examiner of the provincial examination had not been announced, it was already decided by the Secretariat. Although Wang Gui did not care about the major affairs of the court, he was in a fierce competition with Zhang Yue for matters such as the imperial examination and the selection of officials.
He was worried that Han Zhongyan would ask him to help Zhang Yue's family. As far as he knew, Zhang Yue's son Zhang Cheng had taken part in this provincial examination. Although he was not the chief examiner of the provincial examination, he could make the final decision on the quota and allocation.
But Li Qingchen changed his mind and thought, Mr. Zhang is such a great man, how could he do such a thing?
But if Han Zhongyan really proposed it, he couldn't refuse it. He still had to give the prime minister face.
Li Qingchen met Han Zhongyan with trepidation. Han Zhongyan, on the other hand, had a serious look on his face. He sat down and looked at Li Qingchen's house and said, "You still live here. Although it is closer to the court, it is too simple. I'm afraid it can't even block a gust of west wind."
"My poor sister has to suffer with you."
Li Qingchen was born in a poor family. He has been an official for 30 years and is now a Hanlin scholar. He still lives a simple life.
Li Qingchen smiled and said, "It's not that I don't want to move to another house, I'm just used to this place, it's very convenient."
Han Zhongyan said solemnly: "I have been assigned to deliver a letter to Khitan. I will tell you."
"what?"
Li Qingchen was surprised and said, "Song and Liao are about to go to war. If you go to deliver the letter at this time, I'm afraid..."
Li Qingchen really didn't understand why the court let Han Zhongyan, a playboy, do this job.
Han Zhongyan said self-deprecatingly: "I guess it's because my father has a great reputation in the Liao Kingdom, I don't think the Liao Lord would dare to kill me!"
Li Qingchen was shocked when he heard this. He was right. I heard that every time the Khitan envoys came to the court, they would ask Han Qi how he was doing and how he was doing. That was a special respect. During the reign of Emperor Shenzong, Han Qi was stationed in Beijing (Daming Prefecture). He also wanted to borrow the other side's reputation to prevent the Liao Kingdom from acting rashly.
Now let Han Qi's son Han Zhongyan go as an envoy to the Liao Kingdom.
Li Qingchen wondered, as far as he knew, shouldn't they find a minister who is eloquent and flexible when they are sent to Liao this time? At least they can delay the Liao's arrogant request for the Song Dynasty to return Liangzhou.
It is obvious that Han Zhongyan is not qualified for such a task.
Li Qingchen said: "When Han Gong was stationed in Daming Prefecture, he eased the situation of the four barbarians and hid the poems of Taizong and Renzong's hunting in the lining of Banrui Hall."
"The Liao Kingdom must have known about this incident and respected Lord Han."
Han Zhongyan immediately lost his temper and said, "Hasn't what I said been clear enough? The Prime Minister didn't mean what you said! He...he told me so himself."
Li Qingchen was so shocked that he almost spilled the tea in his hand. He asked in shock, "Does the Prime Minister really want to disregard the eighty years of peace between the two families?"
Han Zhongyan said: "Don't you know? The imperial court has already imitated the three prefectures of the Han Dynasty and set up auxiliary prefectures in the capital area, each stationing tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, and intends to use the soldiers as a city to fight a decisive battle with the Liao Kingdom in the capital area!"
"If we don't fight, what's the point?"
Li Qingchen was in an uncertain mood. Although he opposed Zhang Yue's provocation against the Liao Kingdom, he felt that Zhang Yue was just bluffing and trying to gain more bargaining chips.
No matter what, the Song Dynasty would not ignore the Dangxiang and go to war with the Liao Kingdom.
This is like being attacked from two sides, a big taboo in military strategy!
Li Qingchen said: "Master Pu, this is unacceptable. You and I are both from Hebei and we feel the pain deeply! Song and Liao have been peaceful for 80 years. Once the war spreads, the people of our hometown will suffer... It will be like the Anshi Rebellion again..."
"How can you and I bear this!"
At this point, Li Qingchen felt so heartbroken that his words choked.
Han Zhongyan said: "Yes, I know that."
Li Qingchen asked, "Do you think Prime Minister Zhang is unwilling to step down as Prime Minister in two years?"
Han Zhongyan said: "Mr. Zhang is devoted to the world and vows to settle the great affairs of Liao and Song, so that he can retire after achieving success and establish an immortal name!"
"I am worried that once the war breaks out, it will last for several years or even decades. There is no reason to retire after achieving success."
Li Qingchen said: "You can't risk the lives of the people of Song Dynasty and Zhang Sancheng for his own selfish achievements. Master Pu, you should think twice!"
Han Zhongyan cursed and said, "How could I not know? After Sanlang became the prime minister, I have no idea what he is thinking. Yuan Chang and Yuan Du are ambitious, and Zi Zhan and Zi You are undisciplined. An Zhong and I are really worried about him."
"But Sanlang and I have been friends for decades. I have no choice but to help him to the end. I am talking to you today to make an explanation. You must not reveal this to anyone. I will go to Liao in two days!"
"If anything unexpected happens during my mission, you will be the one taking care of the Han family from now on. I'm leaving!"
After Han Zhongyan stood up, Li Qingchen gritted his teeth and chased after him, saying, "Master Pu, we have known each other for many years. I am not an unrighteous person, and I will definitely support you in this matter."
Han Zhongyan nodded and walked out of the door. It was freezing cold, the horses outside were breathing out white air, and the people on the road were all wearing their sleeves.
"Take care, Master Pu!"
Li Qingchen chased to the door and bowed deeply to Han Zhongyan, then watched Han Zhongyan go away and disappear into the night of Bianjing.
……
The spring chill in Bianjing has not yet dissipated.
Zhang Yue was watching fish in the courtyard wearing thick clothes.
East Asian international politics is different from that of Europe. European international politics is based on the theory of balance of power, while East Asian politics is based on the tributary system.
However, the rise of the Liao Dynasty replaced the original ecological niche of China.
In the original tribute system, China was the central player, but the Liao Dynasty replaced it. Although the Song Dynasty did not pay tribute to the Liao Dynasty, it had to pay tribute to the Liao Dynasty. Previously, Goryeo, Jurchen, and Tangut also changed their roles from the Song Dynasty to the Liao Dynasty.
So the current situation is between tribute and balance of power.
However, the balance of power is not deliberately achieved but often occurs passively.
When one country's power grows, it disrupts the existing balance of power.
At this time, Chen Guan went inside and reported to Zhang Yue: "Prime Minister, the border has received a letter from the Dangxiang people, not only asking for the return of Liangzhou, but also asking us to withdraw from Lanzhou and other places."
Zhang Yue said: "It makes sense. The Liao Kingdom's intention to intervene in Liangzhou is clear, and the Tanguts are also becoming more and more tough."
Chen Guan said: "Before the Liao Kingdom made a statement, the Tanguts were planning to abandon their country name and accept the title of King of Xiping from the imperial court. But now they have all changed their minds, which is really despicable."
Zhang Yue said: "Tomorrow we will tell the Tangut envoy at Dutingxi Post that since he has added one more rule, we will also add one more rule, requiring his king to call himself Zhao in the state letter, and no longer use Li."
"And the Song Dynasty has been established for 200 years, but it still uses the surname Li. What's the meaning of this?"
Chen Guan was silent for a moment and then said, "Prime Minister, once you say this, there is no turning back even with the Dangxiang."
Zhang Yue looked at Chen Guan and asked, "Do you think so too?"
Chen Guan said: "I thought that the teacher's plans were always stable and cautious. Why did you take such a huge risk this time?"
"Once we go to war with the Liao Kingdom, regardless of victory or defeat, everyone in the government and the public will blame you, Master."
Zhang Yue took a handful of bait to feed the fish and said to Chen Guan, "Yingzhong, nothing in the world is so smooth."
"As for the Tangut and Khitan, we should take the long road, enter the narrow gate, and cultivate the lean land. We should not take the short road, enter the big gate, or cultivate the fertile land!"
“I must do both easy things and difficult things. I must do easy things to change things and I must do difficult things to change myself.”
Chen Guan suddenly realized, "The student seems to understand."
Zhang Yue said: "We often say 'born in adversity, die in comfort' is the truth. Take the two things at hand for example, the establishment of auxiliary prefectures near the capital, and the establishment of a dual command of the auxiliary prefecture troops by imperial students as the commander-in-chief together with the military generals."
"You said that without the heavy pressure from the Liao Kingdom, these things would not have been accomplished without ten years of hard work."
Chen Guan thought that it was true. The court's plan to set up three auxiliary states in the capital had been approved by the two prefectures. The court promoted Xiangyi County of Kaifeng Prefecture to an auxiliary state named Dongfu, Zhengzhou to Xifu, and Chanzhou to Beifu. Each auxiliary state would have 20,000 soldiers stationed there. These were all elite soldiers drawn from all prefectures and routes and the imperial army.
Among them, 10,000 people were drawn from Xihe Road, and 10,000 people were also drawn from the other military governorates in Shaanxi.
Each unit commanded 500 men, with one commander and one supervisor. The commander was selected from among the military generals, and the supervisor was selected from among the students of the Imperial Academy or the military students.
The commander-in-chief and the supervisory commander-in-chief are of equal rank. The commander-in-chief is in charge of combat and has the final military decision-making power, while the supervisory commander is responsible for supervision. Although the supervisory commander-in-chief is a student of the Imperial Academy, he follows the military rank system. If he has made military achievements, his military rank can be exchanged for civil rank.
In the past, it would have required repeated discussions, but now decisions are made in a hurry and the ministers reach an agreement very quickly.
Zhang Yue said: "In the future, whether we want to destroy the Tanguts or conquer Youyan in the north, we need a strong army. How can we rely solely on the Western Army?"
"These three auxiliary troops will be the main force for the future expeditions to the west and north."
At this point, Zhang Yue patted Chen Guan on the shoulder and said, "I've paved the way, and it's up to you guys to do the work from now on!"
In the cold wind, Chen Guan blushed with shame and said, "The student misunderstood what the teacher meant."
(End of this chapter)