Chapter 198 Arrest
Zhao Xing used to simply think that the name of the weak Song Dynasty was due to the emphasis on culture over military affairs.
But as I learned more, I realized that things were not that simple.
Nomads have been a serious problem for the Central Plains dynasties since ancient times.
Throughout the dynasties, nomads have been disturbed. It can be said that nomads have run through the entire war history of feudal dynasties.
However, the situation faced by the Song Dynasty was also unprecedented in all dynasties.
There is an old saying among the Han people that people who are not from our race must have different minds.
This sentence is also applicable to nomads.
Since ancient times, there are not many Han people who have taken refuge with the nomadic people, but not many of them have been truly reused.
However, Liaoxia was different. They not only occupied some Han cities, but also reused Han people.
The Central Plains dynasties and the nomads have been fighting for so many years. Generally speaking, each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The nomadic people are good at riding and shooting, their living environment is harsh, and their folk customs are sturdy.
In terms of the quality of individual soldiers, the Han people cannot compare with the nomadic people.
The advantage of the Central Plains Dynasty is that it can make good use of various instruments and has cities to defend.
The ruling forms of the two parties are also different.
The Han people have long since achieved unification and centralized power.
The nomadic people have a tribal system, which is somewhat similar to that of the Emperor Zhou.
The intrigues among the various tribes are not entirely consistent.
It’s okay to fight with a favorable wind, but once the wind goes against you, you want to preserve your strength and worry about being annexed.
But Liaoxia occupied Han territory, had a fixed territory, reused Han people, and implemented centralized power.
Not only that, they also have various methods for making equipment.
And because of their blockade, it was very difficult for the Song Dynasty to obtain war horses.
Originally there were advantages and disadvantages to each other, but now their disadvantages have been reduced and their advantages have been amplified.
On the Song Dynasty, it was the other way around. The advantages were reduced and the disadvantages were amplified.
Of course, Zhao Xing is not excusing the Song Dynasty.
Judging from the situation alone, the Song Dynasty was at a disadvantage, and there were various internal disputes and internal disputes. The combination of various reasons left the Song Dynasty as a weak Song Dynasty.
It is a bit far-fetched to say this, but it is certain that there are some people in the Song Dynasty who want Liao and Xia.
There may not even be anyone in the court who has colluded with Liao Xia for personal gain.
It is unrealistic to find them all, but it is possible to find some to scare the monkeys.
"Yes!" Yin Hanzhang responded and asked: "Then what should we do with this Chu Long?"
"Let's see if we can follow the clues and unplug some Liao spies." Zhao Xing said.
"Yes, if His Highness has no other instructions, I will leave first." Yin Hanzhang saluted.
"Go ahead." Zhao Xing waved his hand.
......
Sheng Wei came not long after Yin Hanzhang left.
He went outside the city in the morning and hurried over after being summoned.
"How is the cement test going?" Zhao Xing asked.
“Back to Your Highness, I have had people test the methods Your Highness mentioned, and several houses were built, which are very strong.” Sheng Wei said.
"Ordering mass production, I am going to use cement to repair and strengthen all the cities on the northern border. Do you have a suitable person to take charge of this matter?" Zhao Xing asked.
"This..." Sheng Weiwei said: "Your Highness, there are many cities on the northern border. The person responsible for this needs to contact the officials of each city. Most people are afraid that it will be difficult to do the job. Moreover, a large number of craftsmen who know how to build cities are needed."
"There is no shortage of craftsmen in the Ministry of Industry. I will ask my father to mobilize some craftsmen to familiarize themselves with the use of cement. As for the person in charge..."
Zhao Xing looked at Sheng Wei and said: "I think you It's quite appropriate."
"I have never done this, I am afraid that it will miss the important things of His Highness. And if I leave, who will take care of the business?" Sheng Wei asked.
"Repair and strengthen the city. The craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry will do the specific work. You only need to supervise the quality and money. I believe you can do a good job. As for business..."
Zhao Xing After thinking for a while, he said: "Let your eldest son be responsible."
"But Quanzi is still young and not familiar with him. I'm worried that he may not be qualified." Sheng Wei said.
"Repairing the city requires preliminary preparations. You can teach him first. I heard that your eldest son is managing your business in Youyang very well. I believe he can do a good job." Zhao Xing said.
"But..."
"It's nothing but." Zhao Xing interrupted him and said: "You don't want to be a merchant forever, do you? Shulan Gu loves it very much, and now She is even pregnant with Gu's child. If the repairs to the city are completed this time, Gu Bao will serve as an official in the Ministry of Industry. "
"Your eldest son will take care of the business for Gu. I will also give him an official title in the future.”
Cement has come out, and Zhao Xing will definitely use cement to build roads everywhere in the future.
It is unrealistic to connect every village to every village, but some traffic arteries must be built.
Once the cement road is built, it will not only speed up the march and transport of food, but it will also be of great help to the prosperity of the economy.
At that time, we will even be able to make money by setting up toll stations or something like that.
Forget it about ordinary people, it’s not too much to pay road maintenance fees to passing caravans, right?
Although the Ministry of Works was in Qingshui Yamen, this was because his father was frugal and was reluctant to repair the old palace.
When it comes to infrastructure construction, the Ministry of Industry will no longer be the Qingshui Yamen.
It would also be good for Sheng Wei to accumulate experience in advance.
I still have great trust in Sheng Wei and Zhao Xing. He has been in business for many years and is smooth in dealing with people.
But his tact is different from Sheng Hong's.
Sheng Wei's tact can be understood as emotional intelligence, while Sheng Hong's tact is for the sake of being sensible and protecting one's career.
“Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I will do my best to complete what Your Highness has asked me to do!” Sheng Wei said excitedly. Although Zhao Xing got him a Wensan officer, the Wensan officer was not an official in the true sense.
If he enters the Ministry of Industry, it also means that he has transformed from a merchant into a court official.
The most important thing is the arrangement for Sheng Changsong.
After all, he is already several decades old, and he hopes that his son will be successful.
"I believe you, please send someone to notify your eldest son as soon as possible." Zhao Xing said.
“Yes!”
Sheng Wei responded, reported some business situations, and then left.
“Your Highness, the Crown Princess just sent someone to ask, Your Highness cannot come over for lunch at noon.”
After Sheng Wei left, Sanshui reported.
"I'm a little hungry, let's go have a meal." Zhao Xing said, getting up and walking out.
…………
Bianjing is prosperous, and there is a constant flow of people on the streets.
The inner city is better. The weather is not hot now, and many young men from aristocratic families and wealthy daughters will go out for a walk.
It was just after noon, and there were quite a few people on the streets.
At this moment, a group of forbidden troops roared past, and many people quickly dodged, causing some confusion.
"This is the inner city, and these Qiu Badu dare to run rampant."
"Keep your voice down, are you dying? The leader is Wei Guogong, the uncle of the current dynasty!"
"Uncle Guo is the commander of the capital in front of the palace. He personally led the troops and left in a hurry. I was afraid something big would happen."
"Who knows, it has nothing to do with us anyway."
For a while, the people on the street were talking a lot, and some of them were curious and ran after him, wanting to see what happened.
Cao An didn't know this, so he rode his horse and led two battalions of troops straight to Prince Yan's Mansion.
"Surround Prince Yan's Mansion. No one can leave, otherwise military law will be engaged!" Cao An ordered.
"Yes!" The two commanders following Cao An loudly agreed, commanding their captains to surround Prince Yan's Mansion.
Naturally, such a big commotion outside could not be hidden from the concierge of Prince Yan's Mansion.
The concierge looked through the door and saw many forbidden troops outside, armed with swords, guns, bows and crossbows, with murderous intent. He almost pissed himself with fright, and hurriedly ran in to report.
“It’s not good, it’s not good! There are forbidden troops surrounding the palace!”
Soon, Prince Yan’s palace was in chaos.
When King Yan heard the news, his face turned pale. He knew what he had done. Now that the imperial army suddenly surrounded the palace, it is very likely that the matter has been exposed.
When he thought about the consequences of what happened, he slumped down in his chair.
When King Yong died, he was happy for a long time. Will he follow in King Yong's footsteps now?
Princess Yan and Prince Yan hurried to the study and saw Prince Yan slumped there with a pale face, his eyes dull.
He said anxiously: "Your Majesty, a group of forbidden troops suddenly came outside and surrounded the palace."
King Yan came back to his senses, looked at his panicked wife and son, and took a deep breath He took a breath and said: "I understand, just stay here and don't move, I'll go take a look."
"Your Majesty, it can't be..." Princess Yan looked at Prince Yan worriedly.
She was not very clear about what King Yan had done, but she still knew when King Yan asked her family to help raise the dead.
It is not difficult to guess what an idle prince wants to do by raising dead soldiers.
"It's okay." King Yan forced out a smile, reassured his wife and son, and then walked out.
He did not let his wife and children escape, and he did not even think about escaping.
It's too late now, where can I escape?
Cao An and other two commanders reported that they had surrounded the palace, and said coldly: "Break down the door!"
The Imperial Guards, who had been prepared for a long time, carried a wooden stake and stepped forward to knock down the door. Opening, the soldiers on both sides filed in and rushed into the palace.
Cao An then stepped in.
As soon as he entered the middle courtyard, Cao An saw King Yan surrounded by a group of soldiers with bows and arrows.
When King Yan saw this battle, he was sure that the matter was exposed, but he still shouted without giving up: "Wei Guogong! What do you want to do when you lead people to break into my palace?"
"King Yan plotted to kill His Highness the Crown Prince. I'm here to capture anyone who resists," Cao An said coldly.
King Yan staggered, his face turned ashen.
"Take it!" Cao An ordered.
Several soldiers rushed forward and held down King Yan.
"According to the roster, take down all the people without omission!" Cao An ordered.
“Yes!”
The soldiers rushed into the house like wolves and tigers, scattered in all directions, and captured everyone they saw.
There are still people holding the roster for confirmation.
It took half an hour to find everyone in Prince Yan's palace. After checking, Cao An ordered them to be pressed away.
Many people gathered around the streets near Prince Yan's Mansion.
Cao An ignored it and left with the imperial army and the captured people.
"King Yan is the nephew of an official. What crime did he commit that even the servants in the family were arrested?"
"I came early and heard Wei Guogong shouting and saying It was King Yan who murdered His Highness the Crown Prince. "
"Isn't it King Yong who assassinated His Highness the Crown Prince? "
(End of this chapter)