Chapter 371 Zeng Gongliang
"Your Majesty, I can go and persuade Envoy Li."
Han Zhang said that with Li Jin's support, he could suppress the opposition.
It was he who was confident in persuading Li Jin to support sending troops.
But he didn't expect that Zhao Xing would have the idea of replacing the Privy Councilor.
The Privy Councilor is equivalent to the Prime Minister, and changing the Privy Councilor will inevitably cause shock in the court.
What's more, it's still at such a critical time.
"No need!" Zhao Xing waved his hand and said: "Li Aiqing is also old. He had submitted a letter to resign before, but I suppressed it. Does the Grand Prime Minister have any suitable candidates to recommend?"
Although he had scruples and could not forcefully send troops, he had no reason to ask for a minister.
Although Han Zhang said that he went to persuade, in Zhao Xu's view, this was no different from him going to Li Jin to ask for help.
He has never touched officials above the third rank, and these officials really treat him as a soft persimmon.
Seeing that Zhao Xing had made up his mind, Han Zhang was silent for a while and said: "Vice Minister Zeng Gongliang can serve as Privy Council envoy."
"I remember that Zeng Aiqing participated in the compilation of "Martial Arts General Essentials", right?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Wu Jing Zong Yao" is a comprehensive military book advocated by the imperial court.
"That's right!" Han Zhang replied.
"Since Zeng Aiqing participated in the compilation of military books, he must be proficient in military affairs, which is appropriate. But I remember that he was also opposed to sending troops just now." Zhao Xing frowned.
"Your Majesty, Mingzhong's opposition to sending troops does not mean that he does not agree with sending troops."
Han Zhang smiled bitterly and said: "I feel that the Hehuang land is of great strategic significance, but I also feel that this is not a good opportunity to send troops."
Han Zhang's words may seem contradictory, but the meaning is actually very simple.
At this time, the Song Dynasty was building the Great Wall and there were internal rebellions, so it was not suitable to send troops.
Zeng Gongliang opposed it, not because he opposed it, but because it was inappropriate to send troops.
"Master, please ask Zeng Aiqing to come see me." Zhao Xing said.
"Yes!" Han Zhang bowed and said, "I retire!"
"Sanshui, have someone summon Li Jin, the Privy Council envoy, to come over." Zhao Xing ordered.
"Yes!" Sanshui responded and retreated.
Zhao Xing pondered for a while and continued to review.
After about a cup of tea, Sanshui reported: "Your Majesty, Mr. Li has arrived, and Vice Minister Zeng has also arrived."
"It is said that Zeng Gongliang came in and asked Li Jin to wait in the side hall. Tell him that I want to ask him why his eldest grandson has been staying in his hometown in recent years." Zhao Xing said.
Sanshui was confused when he heard it, but he didn't ask any more questions, responded and stepped back.
Li Jin and Zeng Gongliang were waiting outside. Both of them looked dull and did not communicate with each other.
Sanshui came out, bowed, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty asked Mr. Zeng to go in first, Mr. Zeng please!"
Zeng Gongliang nodded slightly in return and walked into the hall.
"Master Li, please go to the side hall to rest for a while." Sanshui looked at Li Jin and said with a smile.
"Excuse me, father-in-law!" Li Jin said with a smile.
"Master Li, you're welcome, please come this way!"
Sanshui led Li Jin to the side hall with a smile and said, "There are people waiting outside the hall. If you need anything, Master Li, just give me instructions."
"Excuse me, father-in-law. My father-in-law is busy serving His Majesty, so you don't need to worry about me." Li Jin said.
"Then our family will leave first."
"Father-in-law, please!"
Sanshui smiled and saluted, and when he turned around and was about to leave, he stopped again and said, "By the way, His Majesty asked our family to ask Mr. Li why your eldest grandson has been staying in his hometown!" Li Jin's face changed after hearing this. , said: "Excuse me, father-in-law, please come back..."
"Your Majesty only asked us to ask. Mr. Li will see your Majesty later and reply to him himself."
Sanshui interrupted Li Jin, bowed again, and left with a smile.
Li Jin watched Sanshui leave and sat down in despair.
Suddenly summoned, Li Jin was thinking about Zhao Xing's purpose of summoning him on the way here.
He felt that Zhao Xing wanted to get his support and sent troops to Hehuang.
He had already thought of several reasons for rejection, but Zhao Xing suddenly asked someone why his eldest grandson had stayed in his hometown in recent years, which made him feel a haze.
Li Jin had few heirs and only had two sons.
Fortunately, both sons grew up safely and did not die in infancy.
However, the two sons had many wives and concubines. Only the eldest son had a son, and the rest were granddaughters.
Therefore, Li Jin doted on his grandson, which caused his grandson to become a playboy when he grew up.
Bullying of men and domination of women is not uncommon.
Given his status, even if his grandson is a bit naughty, it won't be a big deal.
After Zhao Xing took charge of Kaifeng Mansion, Li Jin was worried that his grandson would fall into Zhao Xing's hands, so he sent him back to his hometown.
Li Jin's grandson bullies men and dominates women in Bianjingdu, which can be imagined in his hometown.
However, Li Jin's hometown is far away from Bianjing, and it is considered to be far away from the emperor.
Given his status, local officials would not only ignore it but also cover it up, so he was not worried.
But Zhao Xing's sudden inquiry made him a little uneasy.
Li Jin took a deep breath. If Zhao Xing really knew what his grandson had done, then he would have no choice but to agree to Zhao Xing.
…………
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty!" Zeng Gongliang saluted.
"No courtesy, please sit down!" Zhao Xing waved his hand.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Zeng Gongliang bowed to thank him, waited for the chamberlain to bring a soft stool, and sat down.
"Zeng Aiqing participated in the compilation of "Martial Classics General Essentials", so he should have done some research on military tactics, right?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Your Majesty, I like to read some military books in my spare time, not to mention research." Zeng Gongliang said.
"Ai Qing is being modest. I have also read the "Martial Classics General Essentials" and the compilation is very good. It can be seen that Ai Qing still has a lot of insights into the art of war."
Zhao Xing smiled and said: "Is the land of Hehuang where Zeng Ai Qingjue was important to the Song Dynasty?"
"Although I know some military tactics, I can only talk about it on paper. Since your Majesty is asking, I will tell you my humble opinion!"
Zeng Gongliang pondered for a while and said: "I have some understanding of the territory map, but I didn't pay much attention to the Hehuang land. I heard what your majesty said before, and I have considered it carefully. The Hehuang land is indeed of great strategic significance. .”
"But now that the national treasury is empty and there are internal and external troubles, it is really not the time to send troops."
"Since Zeng Aiqing knows how to deploy troops, he should know that opportunities must not be missed. If by the time the Song Dynasty's soldiers and horses are strong and the food and grass are sufficient, the civil strife in Liao has been put down, does Aiqing think there is still a chance?" Zhao Xing asked rhetorically.
"I understand what your Majesty said, but I feel that the Hehuang land is not absolutely necessary, so there is no need to take such a big risk!
Your Majesty, has you ever considered that once the Song Dynasty sends troops and Xixia is attracted to send troops, the war will not end in a short time.
Moreover, the rebellion in Jiangzhou and other places has not yet been put down at this time, and the outcome is still unknown. Once it is delayed for a long time, how can the court afford to mobilize troops on multiple fronts? "Zeng Gongliang said.
Zhao Xing fell silent upon hearing this. What Zeng Gongliang said might indeed exist.
But time is not waiting for me. Once I miss this opportunity, I may not get another chance in the future.
"I said before that I will solve the problem of food and grass, and there is no need for money and food from the treasury, and no additional taxes will be given to the people. Does Aiqing think we can send troops?" Zhao Xing asked.
(End of chapter)