In order to convey the good news back to Bianjing as soon as possible, Sun Tu worked hard this time. Not only did he use fast horses to deliver it, but he also used military posts to deliver it straight north at an accelerated speed of almost 600 miles. Within a few days, two identical pieces of news reached the capital and were sent to the Ministry of War and the Privy Council.
Sun Tu obviously has a more discerning mind. He knows very well the character of some people in the court. In their eyes, there is no distinction between public and private matters, they only see whether things are beneficial to themselves. If it is one of our own people, we will suppress it if we have faults, and we will double the publicity if we have merits; but if it is political opponents, it is completely the opposite. As long as Gao Qiu and others deliberately conceal the good news coming from the front like Sun Tu, it is enough to hide it. months unknown.
Just in case, Sun Tu delivered the good news to two yamen. As long as more people came into contact with the good news, those officials would have to weigh the weight if they wanted to conceal the news. However, he still underestimated the power that Tong Guan had managed in the Privy Council for many years. Soon after the good news was delivered to the Yamen, Fang Qian had already taken it in his hands.
These days, Fang Qian is quite low-key and obedient. Even if Gao Qiu and Liang Shicheng continue to insert people into the Privy Council, he does not openly oppose it. He even helps to stabilize people's hearts and free up a lot of practical duties. Gao Qiu and the others took further control of the Privy Council. In the eyes of many people, he was considered a traitor to Tong Guan.
But what many people don't know is that he did this with good intentions. In addition to retaining his official position and authority, he also saved some important figures. Although he transferred some of his power, the core of the Privy Council remained. However, the power is still in the hands of Tong Guan and his family. It was precisely because of this that when Sun Tu's good news arrived, it fell into Fang Qian's hands immediately, which also made him excited.
"Okay! Qianli really didn't let Tong Shuai make mistakes, and actually defeated the enemy and captured the city in a short period of time. This credit alone is enough for the officials to stop blaming him for his previous reckless behavior!" Fang Qian grasped the good news and quickly made a decision. He must report it to the emperor as soon as possible, even if it caused the dissatisfaction of Gao Qiu and others!
Coincidentally, the next day was the Small Court Meeting, and as one of the chief officials in the Privy Council, Fang Qian could also be among them. Immediately after several important ministers announced, they stepped forward and handed over the military report of the great victory in Jiangnan: "Your Majesty, great victory in Jiangnan! Sun Tu led his troops to defeat more than ten counties in the past. We captured the big city of Huzhou in one fell swoop, defeated 50,000 enemies in the front, and destroyed over 10,000 enemies. It can be called the biggest victory for our imperial army since the chaos in Jiangnan!"
When Zhao Ji heard this, a look of surprise appeared on Gujing Bubo's handsome face, and he hurriedly said: "Quickly, bring me the good news for me to take a look at!" After he took the good news in public, he opened it and took a closer look, and said When their faces showed joy, the expressions of Gao Qiu, Liang Shicheng and others standing in front of the Chen class darkened. The former even looked at Fang Qian who had not retreated with a gloomy look, and he was already wary in his heart.
However, when the emperor happily put down the good news and turned his gaze to his face, Gao Qiu suddenly showed joy as if his face changed. He stepped forward and saluted: "I congratulate your majesty, and congratulate me, the Song Dynasty. The situation in Jiangnan is now very good, and it won’t take too long for the chaos to be settled, and the world to be at peace!”
When the others saw this, they all saluted solemnly and congratulated him. Seeing this, Zhao Ji felt happy again.
Laughing: "My ministers and ministers have said it well. I, the Song Dynasty, will soon bring peace to the world and prepare to seize the land of Yanyun." After a pause, he looked at Gao Qiu again and asked, "Gao Qing, why?" How come you didn't come to report such a great joy to me? I didn't even mention it to you just now?"
Gao Qiu had already responded, and he immediately bent down and said: "Your Majesty, I'll forgive you. In fact, I also learned about this great victory in Jiangnan yesterday. However, after all, the matter is very important, and I am worried that there is something hidden in it. I planned to inquire carefully. I went to report to Your Majesty again, but unexpectedly, Fang Chengzhi reported to Your Majesty first, but he was a little too impatient." As he said that, he looked deeply at Fang Qian.
Fang Qian naturally did not dare to argue with him. He just bowed his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I think that such a great victory cannot be delayed, otherwise it will chill the hearts of the soldiers below, so I rushed to report."
"That's all, what you two said makes sense, and I won't blame you." Zhao Ji waved his hand nonchalantly, and then looked at Gao Qiu: "What should I say if Gao Qing is afraid that there is something hidden in it?"
"Your Majesty, as far as I know, Sun Tu only had 20,000 troops. How could he capture Huzhou City and still defeat 50,000 enemies? This is really contrary to common sense. Of course, this could also be him. It is true that the army is managed well and the three armies are serving their lives, but until there is further evidence, I really cannot fully believe this victory report."
At this time, other courtiers also reacted, and a group of Gao Qiu's party members also hurriedly expressed their support: "Your Majesty, what Gao Taiwei said is reasonable. After all, it is related to the war situation in Jiangnan. The court cannot listen to one side."
"Lieutenant Gao's words are a bit exaggerated." Suddenly, a man stepped forward. Although he had a white beard and only wore the green robe of a low-level official, his aura was not inferior to anyone else's, and his voice was even louder and louder. Everyone present was stunned, and it was Zongze who had just been transferred to the Ministry of War as a doctor, who stood up.
It can be said that Zongze's fortune has turned around. He had wasted many years because he was too upright and could not get ahead even if he had the ability. For many years, he only served as a small official in the Privy Council. But a few days ago, he helped Sun Tu speak up, and was regarded by Tong Guan's party as a useful person, so he was promoted to the Ministry of War as a doctor, which can be regarded as a smooth rise to the top of the court today. superior.
But even though his status increased, Zongze's character did not change much. He knew well the true intention of Gao Qiu and others in saying these words, and he was so indignant that he boldly stepped forward to refute: "I have seen this kind of victory in the Ministry of War." , what is written above is clear and coherent, and there are thousands of enemy prisoners as evidence, so how could there be any misunderstanding? Your Majesty, in the opinion of the minister, the victory of Huzhou is absolutely true, and there is absolutely nothing suspicious about it, and the court should take it upon itself It’s better to allocate money and food to reward the soldiers at the front, otherwise it will really chill the morale of the soldiers all over the world!”
Zongze's words made Gao Qiu even more angry than Fang Qian's report. This is not only because of his lower status, but also because his words are completely based on Gao Qiu's suspicion, and there is no difference from slapping him in the face in public. This also made Gao Qiu's face become more and more gloomy. After a low groan, he had already made the decision to eradicate this person.
Zhao Ji did not pay attention to the reaction of his subordinates, but said more joyfully: "What you said makes sense! How many enemies have been killed can be suspected of someone killing the good and taking merit, but it cannot be faked when thousands of enemy soldiers were captured in one go."
, and it was true that Huzhou City was captured by him. From this point of view, Sun Tu has indeed made another great contribution to our court. It deserves a reward! Ministry of Revenue, Department of Transportation, how much grain can you provide now? "While speaking, he no longer asked Gao Qiu for his opinion, but directly made plans to reward the soldiers in front.
In fact, Zhao Ji could understand Gao Qiu's thoughts. He was not stupid. How could he not know that Gao Qiu was in trouble because of the dispute with Tong Guan, and Sun Tu was promoted by the latter? He just didn't want to get into it. But since Sun Tu and his army have really made great achievements, Zhao Ji, as the king of a country, can no longer refuse to express his gratitude. It can be regarded as a slight blow to Gao Qiu and others.
Gao Qiu immediately understood the emperor's intention, did not dare to say anything more, and retreated silently. However, the Minister of the Household Department and the envoy of the Transportation Department who were named came out with a wry smile: "Your Majesty, forgive me, my Household Department is currently running out of money and food, and we have to guard against possible natural disasters, so... I'm afraid I can’t afford much money and food to reward the soldiers at the front.”
"Huh? How could this be?" Zhao Ji frowned and asked with some dissatisfaction. He usually doesn't care much about the Ministry of Household Affairs, the treasury's money, grain and wealth, but he didn't expect this to be the case.
"Your Majesty, it's because the imperial court has been busy sending money and food to the north this year, and the extra money has gone there, so..."
Faced with this vague statement, Zhao Ji finally came to his senses.
Why did the Fang La Rebellion become so big and lasted for two or three years because of a group of peasants? This is not because the rebels are really powerful, or because the Song Dynasty official army is so weak that they cannot even suppress a group of common people who have risen up. The key is that the Song Dynasty only invested most of its energy in the north at this time, for the next retrieval. The sixteen states of Yanyun were preparing to defeat the Liao Kingdom.
The most elite army and best generals of the Song Dynasty were all in the north at this time. This caused the Jiangnan defense to be extremely weak and react very slowly. It was not until Fang La became so swollen that he openly proclaimed himself emperor that the imperial court mobilized the army to annihilate him.
In another time and space, when Fang La's rebel force was finally at its end and threatened the imperial court's northward strategy, Tong Guan finally took action personally and put down the rebellion in a short period of time like the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves.
Now that Sun Tu has led the Shandong Army to the south of the Yangtze River, Tong Guan and the Western Army and the Northern Army no longer need to rush to the south of the Yangtze River to quell the chaos. However, there are obvious problems with the scheduling of military pay, food, and grass.
Zhao Ji also felt a headache when officials from the two financial yamen told him that they could not provide much money. Although pacifying the chaos in the south of the Yangtze River is very important, the war in the north is even more important. We must not make mistakes in food supply because of small losses. Of course, his own internal treasury has always been abundant, but the emperor has never even thought about it. It is already difficult for him not to reach out to the treasury. It is simply a dream to want him to subsidize the soldiers at the front!
When the court hall suddenly fell into a strange silence, Cai Jing, who had been standing there like a clay sculpture and a wooden sculpture, finally walked out slowly: "Your Majesty, I have a way to solve the problem, which does not require the court to spend more money and food." Why did he Can he win Zhao Ji's favor and trust over the years, and his position as prime minister is as stable as Mount Tai, with monopoly power that no one can shake? It showed at this time, because he, Cai Jing, can indeed help the emperor solve problems at critical moments!