The capital, the imperial palace, and the Purple Palace.
In today's pilgrimage meeting, the hundred officials went to the pilgrimage to meet the Holy One to discuss political affairs.
The emperor of this dynasty was a square-looking middle-aged man with a majestic face. At this time, he sat on the dragon chair and was listening to the courtier's performance.
One by one officials came forward to report, most of which were unimportant things.
After a while, someone suddenly came out and said:
"...Yanbei and Taidong have suffered from severe droughts year after year, and the people are struggling to make a living. The refugees are everywhere, and the court is in urgent need of disaster relief."
The courtiers were slightly disturbed and whispered.
The emperor raised his eyelids, a little dissatisfied:
"There was a severe drought last year, a severe drought last year, and another drought this year. The imperial court's disaster relief efforts have not been successful every year, but the government warehouses have kept grain and the treasury has less money every year... Do you have any insights?"
Everyone looked at each other, speechless.
At this time, Qin Song, Minister of the Right, came out of the crowd and said respectfully: "Initiating the performance of the sage, according to the opinion of the old minister, when the vision of the emperor built by the sage's decree is completed, the merits will be determined, and the heaven will be declared. A good year."
The View of the Son of Heaven refers to a large number of strange and spectacle buildings that are still under construction. .
The emperor heard the words and smiled:
"What Qin Aiqing said is very true. That's why I asked the world to build the concept of the Son of Heaven. It's just that it hasn't been completed yet, and the thirst in the near and far cannot be quenched. The drought in these two places will eventually be taken care of right now."
"Sage is wise." Qin Song bowed his head and retreated.
The emperor glanced left and right, and pointed to a minister who was in charge of disaster relief last year: "Aiqing's disaster relief last year, the results were good, can you have a plan today?"
The minister quietly glanced at Qin Song, and then said aloud:
"It can only be like in previous years, with low taxes and light taxes, adjusting grains and porridges, and providing relief to the victims... Other than that, there is no other way."
The emperor nodded and was about to say something.
The minister continued to speak, adding:
"It's just that the disasters in the past few years have led to the rampage of bandits in the north and chaos everywhere. If they are not dealt with, there will be many obstacles to disaster relief."
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"Oh?" The emperor frowned: "Is there such a thing?"
The minister nodded: "Drought is a natural disaster, but some thieves turned it into a man-made disaster, coercing the victims to attack the prefectures, so that the prefectures did not dare to open the city for relief, and even the county town was looted by the victims, which was extremely bad."
"Do you have a way to deal with it?"
The emperor looked at the crowd.
Suddenly another courtier came out and said coldly: "The death of starvation is a small matter, but the failure of discipline is a big problem. Even if these victims are displaced, it is not the reason for committing chaos. They should send troops to suppress and kill them as an example!"
Hearing this, Qin Song hurried out and said:
"Absolutely not, the Northland bandits are rampant, according to the old minister's opinion, this matter should be appeased. Your Majesty can order a few of these bandits to be reassured, and then order them to suppress other bandits. It doesn't cost you a single soldier or a single soldier, and you can save a lot of money and food."
At this time, Pang Hong, the privy envoy in charge of the military, said in a deep voice:
"The thieves are just a mob, not a climate. Once the officers and soldiers arrive, the heaven is mighty, and the thieves will naturally surrender! Why do you need to recruit security
The court was soon divided into three factions, each holding their own words. Some supported the dispatch of troops, some supported recruiting security, and the rest watched from the sidelines.
There seem to be valid reasons for each, but in fact undercurrents are surging.
The emperor listened for a while, stopped everyone, and said slowly: "The construction of the Son of Heaven's View is an important matter, and the rest of the expenses can be saved. Now that the treasury is empty, it is not suitable to use troops. The matter will be handed over to Qin Aiqing."
He was obsessed with building construction projects and completed the construction of a bunch of wonders as soon as possible, and did not want to expand military spending.
When everyone saw this, the quarrel stopped, and they returned to the crowd.
The emperor paused, changed the subject, and asked, "It's almost autumn, how are you preparing for this year's south autumn tour?"
Left Prime Minister Lu Wenzong came out, bowed and said:
"Reporting to the sage, everything has been arranged on the way from the capital to Ningtianfu."
The prince also took a few steps forward and said: "Father, don't worry, my son is in Beijing to supervise the country, so that everything is safe."
"Yeah." The emperor nodded, then remembered something, and said with a smile: "A few days ago, the prefect of Ning Tian made a remark, saying that there is an expert in the city, who can call the wind and rain, and is called Master Yufeng. , I would like to see if it is true."
"Think twice about the Holy One!" A censor known for his "straightforwardness" hurriedly said, "These people are all people who confuse people, how can you meet such a swindler?"
The emperor smiled.
At this time, Qin Song spoke immediately and retorted:
"Since the prefect of Ning Tian dares to make a presentation, it must be verified. After the sage has arrived in Ning Tian, after clarifying the reason, he will decide whether to summon this person or not. Why do you need to say more?"
"Yes." The emperor smiled and nodded.
After saying a few more things, the emperor was a little tired, so he announced his withdrawal from the dynasty.
The officials filed out of the Purple Palace Hall.
Qin Song was at the end, and Lu Wenzong walked side by side with him.
"Then Shumi Pang always wants to raise the army to cause trouble. If the thieves in Yanbei and Taidong are suppressed with soldiers, I don't know how much money will be wasted. How can the sage be willing."
Qin Song said casually.
Lu Wenzong glanced at him and said with a smile: "I heard that Prime Minister Qin bought a lot of properties in these two places, I don't know if it is a rumor."
"Hehe, that's all nonsense." Qin Song waved his hand and stroked his beard, "It's actually Lu Xiang who is under the imperial decree, and has been arranging the southward parade for the sage for the past few years, which is very enviable."
Lu Wenzong smacked his lips, changed the subject, and said:
"Speaking of which, I heard that a disciple of Prime Minister Qin, who was a prefect in the Luhe area, was cut off by a thief and cut off his official career. I wonder if it was true?"
Qin Song smiled slightly, and said sullenly: "Yes, these thugs, if they commit the following crimes, should be punished by death."
Lu Wenzong: "It is said that the thief is called Chen Feng, and he has the courage to be inappropriate. I don't know what Prime Minister Qin plans to do?"
Qin Song sneered: "The bravery of a man, let Luhe soldiers and horses conquer it by themselves, why should you and I worry about it?"
Lu Wenzong smiled: "I'm just worried that there are such strong men in the Luhe area, they may collide with the holy car and spoil the spirit of the holy autumn tour."
Qin Song heard the words and narrowed his eyes:
"It makes sense, but this is a hidden danger... Then I will urge it."
…
Yanbei, Tianwang Village.
This is a majestic fortress, entrenched in high mountains, with many passes and flags fluttering.
At this time, in front of the Dazhai gate, dozens of leaders were sending a few messengers out.
"Leaders don't want to see each other, we're going down the mountain, and I hope you will consider my master's proposal. If you are willing to ask for peace, just wait for the good news."
Several messengers declined, and then followed the minions all the way down the mountain, and their backs were far away in the eyes of everyone.
Xiang Tianjie retracted his gaze, looked at the village owner, and couldn't help but said: "Brother, the court has not issued an order to recruit security, can these people really trust me, could they be making me wait in the lake?"
All the leaders also looked at their own village masters, all a little confused.
As the largest village in the north, their Tianwangzhai has always had the voice of accepting the recruitment, but the court never seemed to have such intentions, so this proposal was shelved.
But it wasn't until last year that the village owner went to the capital, where he didn't know who he met or what line he got on.
After that, envoys with unknown origins frequently came to communicate about the recruitment matters. Even though the imperial court had not made any news yet, these envoys seemed to believe that the imperial court would definitely issue an announcement, and they came to discuss various conditions with their Tianwangzhai in advance.
"Brothers, don't have any doubts, the matter is naturally true, and the imperial court will come to recruit me sooner or later."
A big man spoke in a loud voice. He had a dignified appearance, a majestic face, white temples, and he was quite old.
This person is the owner of Tianwangzhai, Lu Longchuan.
Known as the "King of Heaven", he has always had the reputation of "the No. 1 master of the Green Forest".
At this time, someone in the leader spoke, dissatisfied:
"Zhao'an Zhao'an, recruit a bird's security, the condition they put forward is that we help the court to pacify the bandits in Yanbei and Taidong, so why do we live on the Green Forest Road? Wouldn't it be better for everyone to be as happy as they are now? it is good?"
Hearing the words, a leader immediately retorted, saying: "Brother, this statement is not good, we can't be a grass bandit for a lifetime, the crops in Yanbei and Taidong have not been harvested well in the past two years, and a large number of farmers have abandoned their fields and fled. We Continuing to grow bigger, it has reached a bottleneck now, and it is not easy to feed the entire mountain. If we expand, we must occupy the city. That is a major crime of treason, and there will be no future! This road has come to an end, and recruiting security is the only way out.”
"Yes, if we can pacify the bandit troubles in the two places for the court, we are also meritorious people, and everyone can be appointed an official and a half-post. People in the green forest were recruited and finally made meritorious deeds to become a general of the court. This is not without precedent, I didn't listen to it. Have you heard the old saying... If you want to be an official, kill and set fire to make peace!"
The crowd chattered.
The members of Tianwangzhai are complex, but most of them agree with recruiting security, thinking that this is the only way to restore innocence and stand out.
Even if it is a pirate, but under the education of feudal etiquette, most people have a natural yearning to become an official in the dynasty, thinking that this is the highest life goal of honoring the ancestors.
Lu Longchuan raised his hand to make everyone quiet, and said solemnly: "We have been brothers for so many years, don't everyone still feel at ease with me, I will definitely fight for everyone's wealth."
"I'll wait for my brother's arrangement."
The crowd quickly clasped their fists.
At this time, Xiang Tianjie remembered one thing and said with a smile: "Does the Zhaizhu remember that ordering Yama Chen Feng?"
Lu Longchuan nodded: "Brother Xiang admires him very much, I naturally remember, why did he suddenly mention this person?"
"Recent rumors say that Chen Feng has done a great job in the Luhe area. He has single-handedly leveled two mountains, and his reputation has spread all over the world. People with good deeds say that he is the number one expert in the Green Forest..."
Xiang Tianjie recounted Zhou Jing's deeds.
Lu Longchuan's eyes flashed: "This person's martial arts skills are indeed rare... Brother Xiang has an old relationship with him, is there a way to invite him up the mountain to gather together?"
"This... I'm not sure either, this person doesn't seem to have any intention of falling into the grass."
Xiang Tianjie paused, hesitated, and then said:
"Furthermore, this person is reckless and impulsive, lawless and domineering. I am afraid he is a tyrannical man who is unwilling to be subservient to others. Even if he joins the mountain, it is estimated that he is unwilling to accept recruiting..."
Hearing this, Lu Longchuan sighed, "It's a pity, then forget it."
If it were in the past, when Tianwangzhai was still developing in great strides, he would definitely have pulled men like Zhou Jing up the mountain.
But now the Tianwangzhai family has a great business, and they are already on the top side, and they are planning to accept the recruitment. It is not meaningful to have one more top expert... and the seats are not easy to arrange.
Lu Longchuan shook his head and left Chen Feng behind.
No matter how high this person's martial arts are... What does it have to do with him now
He is now in a solid position and has long passed the stage where he needs to become famous.