Chapter 408 A Thunderous Thunder
The Song Dynasty wanted Shen Congxing's sister to participate in the draft, not because he wanted to support the power in the harem. He was not that capable yet.
He also did this because he wanted to have someone of his own among the concubines in the harem who could understand some of the trends in the palace. At the same time, if he was favored, he could also blow the pillow at the critical moment.
However, he did not put all his hopes on Shen Congxing. He wanted Shen Congxing to send his sister to participate in the draft, just in case.
"My sister-in-law has a pampered temperament. I'm afraid that if she really enters the palace, she will disobey you or offend a noble person..."
Although Shen Congxing has some abilities, he cares about feelings very much.
He still knows a little bit about what is going on in the palace. He knows his sister's temperament better, so he is not very willing to let his sister enter the palace.
"Congxing!"
Song Chaozhong patted Shen Congxing on the shoulder and said: "Being an official is not as simple as you think. I don't know how many people are watching a position, waiting for the boss Promotion is actually the stupidest way, you Without any background, others are eyeing your position and plotting against you. Even I may not be able to protect you.
But this reward is His Majesty's grace. Don't say you have accepted it. Even if you haven't, Do you dare to refuse?
There are not many concubines in His Majesty's palace. Although the selection is based on appearance, birth is equally important.
This is His Majesty’s first draft. Not only the private sector, but also civil and military officials will select some.
We generals are all rough men, and the women in our families are all average in appearance. I heard that your sister is very good-looking and has great hopes of being selected, so that’s why I’m telling you this. If you don't want to, just pretend I didn't say anything. "
"Thank you uncle for reminding me, but I have to go back and discuss this matter with my sister. "Shen Congxing said.
"This is natural. ”
Seeing that Shen Congxing was already moved, Song Chaozhong smiled slightly and did not continue the topic.
…………
The report of the British Duke sending troops was sent back to the Privy Council. After Zeng Gongliang read it, he quickly came to see Zhao Xing with the report.
After listening to Zeng Gongliang’s story, Zhao Xing read the report again and pondered: “Zeng Aiqing thinks that if the British princess sends troops, will it trigger a war with the Liao Kingdom?”
"Your Majesty, this is not a question of whether it will trigger a war, but the Song Dynasty took the lead in breaking the alliance. The most important thing is that the British Duke did not ask for instructions, which means he launched troops without authorization, which is a taboo." Zeng Gongliang said.
"Big taboo? What big taboo?"
Zhao Xing said lightly: "I will not accept the emperor's orders. Now that the roads in the Northern University are closed, the message transmission is slow. How can I ask for instructions on everything? Moreover, I have authorized the British government to But what's the crime of acting cheaply? "
Just listen to the saying that the generals who dare to do this will not end well.
But the British Duke can only act on his own initiative this time, and it can't be considered as disobeying the king's order. They are two completely different concepts.
But the British public's behavior was still taboo in the Song Dynasty.
The Song Dynasty court's control over troops and horses had reached a pathological level, and the generals had almost no autonomy.
The British public's behavior of sending troops without permission is naturally a taboo.
But Zhao Xing doesn’t care about this.
"My dear, just tell me whether the British Lord's move will cause a war with the Liao Kingdom."
"No!"
Zeng Gongliang pondered for a long time after hearing this, and said: "Let's not mention that the Liao Kingdom has been in chaos for so long and is temporarily unable to send troops. Now there is heavy snow in the north, and the Liao Kingdom has many cavalry, so it is inconvenient to send troops. What's more, winter is not suitable for attacking cities!"
"That's good!" Zhao Xing nodded.
In fact, he also felt that the Liao Kingdom might send troops to the extreme, but he was worried that he had made some oversights, so he asked Zeng Gongliang for confirmation.
After pondering for a moment, Zhao Xing said: "Suppress this matter for now and don't make it public!"
At this time, the news of the British army sending troops was spread, and it was inevitable that there would be some rumors, but Zhao Xing was not that Kung Fu and Bai Guan argue.
When he gets the imperial seal and announces it to the world, his prestige will surely reach its peak, and then there will be no need to worry so much.
“Yes!” Zeng Gongliang hesitated after hearing this, but agreed.
"If there is nothing else, Zeng Aiqing, please step aside first." Zhao Xing waved his hand. "Your Majesty, please retire!"
Zeng Gongliang saluted and was about to retreat. At this moment, there was a loud noise from somewhere and the entire palace was slightly shaken.
"Hurry and protect him!"
The imperial troops outside the hall had no idea what was going on, but they rushed into the hall immediately and protected Zhao Xing.
"Your Majesty, this is the earth dragon turning over. Your Majesty should leave the palace quickly and take refuge in an open space outside!" Zeng Gongliang said anxiously.
The so-called earth dragon turning over is an earthquake. When Zhao Xing noticed a slight vibration in the ground, his first reaction was that it was an earthquake.
But the area around Bianjing is almost all plains, and there are only some hills. The chance of an earthquake is very small.
And the vibration stopped soon. Thinking about the sound at the beginning, Zhao Xing could guess a little bit.
"This shouldn't be the earth dragon turning over, even if it is, it has already passed."
Zhao Xing rejected Zeng Gongliang's proposal and said in a deep voice: "Three waters!"
< br>"The slave is here!"
"Pass an edict so that the officials in the imperial city do not have to panic. In addition, the five-city army and horse divisions and city defense battalions are ordered to be dispatched to prevent unrest in Bianjing. I order the Grand Xianggong and several Xianggongs to go and appease me on my behalf. People!" Zhao Xing said.
"Yes!" Sanshui responded and hurried away.
"Zeng Aiqing, please step back too!" Zhao Xing said.
"I retire!" Seeing that the vibration had subsided, Zeng Gongliang bowed and retreated.
Zhao Xing ordered someone to summon Zhang Feng and told him to investigate the source of the noise.
…………
Just as Zhao Xing expected, the sudden noise and vibration caused chaos in Bianjing.
The reason why ancient people were superstitious was because there were too many things that could not be explained.
Earthquakes are one of them, so they are called earth dragons.
When the shock came, some people in Bianjing fled in all directions, while others knelt on the ground and kowtowed.
Fortunately, Zhao Xing issued the order quickly, and the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division and the City Defense Battalion were dispatched, quickly quelling the chaos.
Han Zhang and others personally came out to comfort the people and slowly calmed down the shocked people.
Even so, there are still some wealthy households who feel uneasy and want to escape Bianjing with their whole family.
Seeing this, Han Zhang directly stopped him by force and banned the people from leaving the city.
Once more people flee, the people who have finally settled down will inevitably be in chaos again.
After making these arrangements, Han Zhangcai went to the palace to see Zhao Xing and reported the situation.
After Zhao Xing listened, he nodded slightly and said: "The Grand Prime Minister has done a good job."
"Your Majesty, I feel that this time is not like an earth dragon turning over, and we should find out as soon as possible to calm the people's hearts." Han Zhang said.
"It is indeed not the earth dragon turning over!"
Zhao Xing said with a gloomy face: "Does the Prime Minister know about the Gunpowder Supervisor?"
"The Gunpowder Supervisor?"
Han Zhang was stunned when he heard this, and quickly thought of the department that Zhao Xing had set up before.
Because Zhao Xing did not spend any money from the treasury to establish the Gunpowder Supervision, and he did not mobilize officials from the court to serve, but recruited craftsmen from the private sector, so Han Zhang almost forgot Gunpowder Supervisor.
(End of this chapter)