RNP Chapter 1323 Arrogant and Confident
Chapter 1323 Arrogant and Confident
Chapter 1323 Arrogant and Confident
The government has decided to hold a ceremony to offer sacrifices to the gods at Mount Tai.
The emperor ordered Cai Que and Zhang Zhi to assist the crown prince in governing the country, and ordered Wang Gui to be the envoy of Zen rituals.
Although Su Che and other officials had been expelled for their opposition, Sima Guang later wrote a memorial citing the Fengshan ceremony of Emperor Zhenzong of Song Dynasty, in which heavenly books were sent down from time to time and auspicious signs were criticized as "the ruler and his ministers were like madmen", but the government still did not listen.
However, before the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai, the emperor still presided over the construction of Yongle City.
The official's words echoed in the hall, and Zhang Gen was writing furiously on the daily records.
Peng Ruli, the Right Censor, said, "Your Majesty, I have just heard that Chen Mu's son Chen Yanwen privately delivered Chen Mu's last letter to the Ministry of Public Affairs, accusing the prime minister of framing the ministers, but no one from the Censorate and the Dali Temple submitted it to Your Majesty for review. This is not what should happen in a prosperous era."
The official said, "This matter has already been approved by the emperor, and we will wait for the censors to investigate and impeach it before we discuss it."
Peng Ruli continued, "Your Majesty, the Censorate has been deceived by Prime Minister Cai, and the imperial edicts sent to the localities have long been classified as confidential. Changes can happen in a moment."
Zhang Zhi contacted several censors to impeach Cai Que together.
Peng Ruli was a straightforward and outspoken person, and he and Zhang Zhi were of similar temperament. Previously, Peng Ruli had been exiled several times as an imperial censor for speaking out, but this time he was called back to the capital by Zhang Zhi.
Peng Ruli could not stand what Cai Que did, and impeached the strategy of building Yongle City as a move to consolidate the position through war, trying to cover up the previous death of Chen Mu with a risky military action.
"Are all the officials in the Censorate Cai's party? How dare you make such noise!" Zhang Xu, the Minister of the Left and Wang Gui's confidant, spoke out.
When Zhang Zhi heard Zhang Xu speak, he knew that in this political struggle, Wang Gui had already implicitly stood on Cai Que's side, or to be more precise, on the side of the emperor.
Lü Gongzhu left the class and said: "The direct disaster relief costs of the three large-scale breaches of the Yellow River have exceeded 10 million strings of cash. The court has made disaster relief a top priority."
"Although we repelled the Liao army in Hedong, it was also a waste of manpower and money. The Jisufang reported that the Liao army still had 150,000 cavalry deployed on the border."
"If the imperial court launches a large-scale battle for Yongle City at this time, and fails to win, and the Liao army intervenes again, what should we do?"
"Your Majesty, the destiny of heaven does not lie in relying on strong military force, but on benevolence and virtue!" Lu Gongzhu said impassionedly.
Cai Que ignored Peng Ruli's criticism and Lu Gongzhu's opposition from beginning to end. In fact, he was also embarrassed by the officials' discussions these days.
Cai Que said at this moment: "Your Majesty, I suggest that the annual tribute to Liao be increased from 500,000 to 700,000 in exchange for the support of Liao."
The ministers all looked sideways when they heard this. How could someone dare to say such a thing? How could the annual tribute to the Liao Kingdom continue to increase? Moreover, on the premise that the Song army had defeated the Liao Kingdom, they actually voluntarily paid tribute.
But the government seemed determined to push forward the construction of Yongle City.
Zhang Gen thought of the petition Chen Mu submitted before his death, and heard Zhang Zhi arguing loudly in the hall.
Zhang Gen could hear the factional struggle growing in the interrogation. Then the official's voice came out: "We will discuss this later. Court is dismissed!"
All the ministers said, "Your Majesty, please take care of yourself. We will take our leave."
The prime ministers and censors filed out of the hall, with Cai Que and other officials leading the way with their sleeves fluttering in the wind, while Lu Gongzhu and Zhang Zhi, who were at the end, walked with heavy steps.
Zhang Gen felt particularly uncomfortable watching Zhang Zhi leave.
But as he looked at the situation in the palace, he realized that the emperor certainly had the ambitions of Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Taizong of Tang, and had the ambition to conquer the homeland of Han and Tang; and in his eyes, the 'traitorous prime minister' Cai Que seemed to be concerned about the country and the people, and was not a treacherous person who appeared loyal.
Zhang Gen followed the emperor in and retreated to the side hall.
The emperor looked tired. After wiping his face with a towel, he glanced at Zhang Gen who was waiting beside him and said with a smile, "Chat with me for a while."
"Yes."
The official said, "I heard that you have suffered a lot in the northwest in the past few years, and you even killed a few bandits?"
Zhang Gen said: "I have fulfilled my duty to protect the territory and dare not complain."
The eunuch hurried out with the medicine cup in his hand. Perhaps the Imperial Pharmacy had added Korean ginseng, and the pungent smell of the medicine was mixed with a strange bitterness.
The official closed his eyes and drank it all, and then some color seemed to return to his face.
The eunuchs presented dried fruits as medicine.
The emperor looked at the brightly colored preserved fruits on the plate and said, "These are Lintong pomegranate and apricot preserved fruits. They are Mr. Zhang's favorite snack. Please try them!"
Zhang Gen was deeply moved by the emperor's sincere treatment and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The official put the medicine cup aside and said, "It is not easy to be a king. The situation of the world is like sailing against the current. Why is it not good to follow the will of the people? But why can't I rule the world like this?"
"The imperial family is not heartless, but sometimes you can't be too straightforward. Because words are not enough, and once you say them, you're wrong."
"Tell me everything about the Northwest, no matter how big or small it is!"
Zhang Gen said yes.
Shi Deyi, who was standing by, was filled with emotion. After so many years, the government still treated the Zhang father and son with courtesy.
In the hall, Zhang Gen was talking incessantly about everything he had experienced in the northwest.
The emperor listened to Zhang Gen's story. Although his statement was not subjective at all, it was extremely important.
What Zhang Gen meant was, can the Song army's situation in the northwest support a war of such a battle level?
Zhang Gen finally said, "Your Majesty, I have returned to the capital privately to discuss the situation. There is one thing I must say. The outcome of the battle of Yongle City is unpredictable."
Zhang Gen waited to speak, but the official did not respond.
Zhang Gen kowtowed and said, "I am a rebellious and rebellious person. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"
The official sighed and said, "You have told the truth, and you have done nothing wrong."
……
From the distance came the sounds of laborers tamping earth, mixed with the fierce northwest wind, it sounded like the earth was whimpering.
The Fuyan Road camp was fully engaged in the construction of Yongle City.
Xu Xi stood on the mountain, watching the progress of the construction of Yongle City with a sharp gaze. At this moment, dusk enveloped the Mizhi River, and Yongle City was gradually taking shape.
General Qu Zhen and other generals walked up the mountain and clasped their fists, saying, "General, we have dug a well here for two days but have not seen a drop of water. Yongle City is in urgent need of water. Once the enemy army surrounds us from all sides, this will be a dead end!"
Xu Xi said: "When old General Zhong (Zhong Shiheng) built Qingjian City, if he hadn't known the difficulty of finding water, he would have almost never found water. In the end, he dug 50 meters underground before finding a water vein. He never gave up because of difficulties."
"We can build a water fort first, then dig a well in the city, and we will definitely get water!"
Qu Zhen waved his scarred palm and said, "General, Yongle is surrounded on three sides. If the Xia people dig up the wetland, our army will collapse without a fight!"
"In addition, the high hill in the south of the city overlooks the entire city. If we erect an enemy tower, it will cut off our food supply. It is better to build another city in Yinzhou."
"Noisy!" Xu Xi waved his sleeves to sweep the teacup away, threw his cloak heavily, and stroked the golden belt around his waist, saying: "The Yinzhou City you mentioned may have the Wuding River and the plains, and although it is separated by a river moat, there are no mountains to rely on! Dividing the troops here is a way to destroy oneself."
Qu Zhen cried out in pain when she heard this.
At this time, a lieutenant rode up and said, "The western bandits have sent twelve military supervisors to attack us from Jingyuan Road!"
The generals were shocked when they heard this. The Dangxiang now have eighteen military supervisors.
The troops of the Twelve Army Inspectors accounted for two-thirds of the Tangut forces.
Xu Xi said solemnly: "You are coming at the right time. The Western bandits are coming in a hurry, and they are aiming to attack the vital points of our Yongle City."
"If the enemy is coming in force, this is the time for me to make achievements."
"In three days, Yongle City will be built successfully! Then the civilians will return to Fuyan Road. Jing Siyi!"
“I am here!” A young general clasped his fists. Jing Siyi’s elder brother Jing Sili followed Zhang Yue to conquer Xihe Road and died at the hands of Gui Zhang.
Another elder brother also died in state affairs, so they could be considered a family of loyal heroes.
"You will lead the army to defend the city then!"
"Yes."
Xu Xi said to Qu Zhen: "This is the headquarters of Qu Hou. We will attack when the thieves come!"
Qu Zhen shook his head and said, "The enemy is coming fiercely, so it is better to retreat to the inner frontier and issue an order to the enemy to come and fight."
Xu Xi said, "Qu Hou is an old general, are you afraid?"
Qu Zhen was ridiculed by Xu Xi and had to give up.
Xu Xi continued to issue orders, "Send a report to General Shen, and have him order his troops to the Mizhi Village to support our army at any time."
All the generals groaned after hearing Xu Xi's instructions.
A few days later, the construction of Yongle City was completed and the civilian labor was dispersed.
On August 6, the Tangut troops arrived at Mingtangchuan and deployed on the west bank of Wuding River. Xu Xi sent scouts to investigate and learned that the Tangut troops were still far away.
In the early morning of the next day, Xu Xi was told that the Tangut troops were approaching.
Immediately Xu Xi led his generals to the west gate of Yongle City to observe the enemy.
However, the rushing Wuding River was creating a huge cloud of dust, and a large number of camel caravans filled the river valley.
The white yak banner of Li Bingchang, the leader of the Dangxiang Xia army, was hung with a seven-treasure tassel, and the heavy armor of the Iron Harriers and Infantrymen gleamed coldly under the scorching sun.
Seeing the Dangxiang army gradually approaching, Gao Yongneng, a general of the Fan army who had just been transferred from Xihe Road, offered a suggestion: "The Qiang people are like dogs in nature. If you take advantage of their unexpected situation to scold them, they will lose their energy and cannot harm you. If you hesitate and wait for them to run wildly like a dog, they will do anything for you."
"The Tanguts are using their elite troops as the vanguard. If they want to confront us, we should engage them in battle quickly. In battle, the birds and beasts will be frightened and scatter, and even the heavy troops behind them will not dare to advance even a single step."
Jing Siyi said: "I see that the Western Bandits' troops are so numerous that they cover the sky. There are probably about 100,000 to 200,000 of them. If they all come together, our army will be outnumbered."
Xu Xi stroked his beard and said, "There are 70,000 soldiers in the city, why should we be afraid?"
"Besides, the king's army cannot form a line without drums!"
Zhang Yuqin, the military supervisor, said to Xu Xi, "Your Majesty, there is an order for this battle. The emperor said that in close combat, only swords and axes win. You can order 5,000 axe soldiers to split the formation and select the best soldiers to serve them."
Xu Xi said: "Great idea!"
When the generals heard that the emperor was controlling the military formation remotely from thousands of miles away, they were speechless.
Gao Yongneng retreated in anger after hearing this, and when he reached the city gate, he said to his sons, "Given Xu Jinglüe's arrogance, I'm afraid we will all die under this city gate."
"My death is not a pity, but I am afraid that it will affect the important affairs of Your Majesty and Lord Zhang!"
"What a great situation after the battle of Pingxia City!"
His son said: "Xu Xi is arrogant, ambitious but incompetent. He just thought we were timid, and regretted it when we went to the battlefield."
This continued until noon, when the Dangxiang troops had arrived in large numbers and were approaching the city, but they were standing at the Wuding River without crossing it.
Xu Xi decided to meet the enemy. He immediately ordered Qu Zhen to lead the 70,000 troops in the city to form a battle array under the city, leaving only 20,000 to 30,000 civilian servants in the city.
Xu Xi and Li Shunju sat on the Qiao Gate and said, "I hold the yellow flag in my hand, and you all watch me move forward and backward."
The generals took the order and left.
Seeing that the three armies were ready to go, Xu Xi raised the yellow flag high in his hand and moved forward.
In a moment, the three gates of Yongle City in the south, northwest and northeast opened at the same time, and 70,000 Song troops went out of the city in three groups to meet the enemy!
The clanging of armor plates colliding with each other echoed throughout the city, and the wolf-head battle flag was also raised in the Western Xia army.