novelonline Chapter 1114 Preparation
Chapter 1114 Preparation
Chapter 1114 Preparation
Inside the main hall, Zhang Yue stayed behind to make a reply.
For a minister, in the absence of WeChat or telephones, the more times he can stay to make comments, the more it shows that the emperor values him.
The emperor was lying on the imperial couch and said, "According to what He Guan reported, the plains in Lanzhou are wide and flat, and the soil is very good. There are tens of thousands of Qiang people in the area who are good at farming. The fields are good for crops, and the soil is fertile enough to support the border troops.
The court could grant each person two hectares of land and recruit strong nomads from Shaanxi to go there to farm and graze, and to serve as archers.
In this way, the imperial court’s military farms can be extended from Taozhou all the way to the banks of the Yellow River.”
Seeing the smile on the emperor's face, Zhang Yue said, "Your Majesty, if there is one more mu of farmland in the border areas, the court can save at least three dou of military rations in transportation costs."
"On the other hand, the land along Fuyan Road was all barren and dilapidated. Even so, after decades of cultivation, there is no idle land in the border areas.
"The same is true for Huanqing Road. There is not a single idle field. Last time Yu Chong reported that there was idle field, Your Majesty was very shocked and said that if it was a wasteland, there would be no land for cultivation. Later, it was confirmed that there was indeed no idle field."
"In addition, as reported by the Hedong Transportation Bureau, the settlement and reclamation of Linfu Road over the years has not been worth the cost."
"In recent years, Xixia has repeatedly invaded and disturbed farmland. It is impossible to recruit archers from these three routes using wasteland."
"On the other hand, after Xihe Road took Lanzhou, it was surrounded by a large river, and the Western Xia wanted to move south to invade and cultivate it but was unable to do so."
The most important thing Zhang Yue said was that he once again emphasized the importance of Xihe Road.
You must know that although Zhong Yan left, there were still many generals such as Guo Kui who still advocated the plan of sending troops from Fuyan Road and Hedong Road to seize Hengshan.
Therefore, Zhang Yue had to continue to have the final say in the attack on Xia in front of the emperor.
Facing Zhang Yue's advice, the emperor had to admit: "You suggested taking Hehuang first, which not only cut off the right wing of Xixia, but also cultivated land in Xihe. Now we can expand the cultivation of Lanzhou and support a hundred thousand troops without any worries."
Zhang Yue said: "Among the border routes, apart from Xihe Route, only Jingyuan Route and Qinfeng Route have considerable farming."
"Before Li Jiqian besieged Lingzhou before the Zhidao era, the imperial court transported grain from Guanzhong, Bingzhou, and Huanzhou to Lingzhou along the Jinghe River valley."
"Because the grain route was difficult, the imperial court established military farms in Jingyuan Road. If we want to attack Lingzhou, we must go through Jingyuan Road."
"Whether Xihe Road is the main road and Jingyuan Road is the auxiliary road, or Jingyuan Road is the main road and Xihe Road is the auxiliary road, it is still worth weighing."
"But you can't leave Hengshan."
The emperor smiled and said, "I still remember that you repeatedly opposed my attack on Xia, but you don't oppose it now."
Zhang Yue said: "I opposed the use of troops against Xia before because I had not thought it through thoroughly, not because I was unsure of the matter. Now that the major policy has been decided, I will never give up!"
The official felt reassured when he heard this.
The king and his ministers had different opinions before, but now they have finally reached a complete consensus.
"Axi has been in Mingsha City for a month now!"
Seeing the emperor say this, Zhang Yue was immediately moved. The emperor actually called Zhang Zhi by his nickname in front of him.
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, Yu Chong has led 30,000 troops out of Weizhou. The Privy Councilor Han Zhen reported to the emperor and ordered Cai Yanqing, the governor of Qinfeng Road, to lead his troops out of Weizhou to guard against the Xixia general Liang Yongneng and to ensure the safety of Huanqing Road."
"And Shen Kuo and Li Xian have also left the Huluchuan camp and led their army to capture Xiaoguan and other places."
"I told Han Zhen to do what they can. If they can, then they should save the people. If they can't, then it's best to defend the land with the whole army."
The emperor said, "I know you are torn between the country and your personal feelings. If it weren't for Axi's retreat under Mingsha City, the tens of thousands of troops in Jingyuan Road would hardly have survived."
"If he is safe and sound, I can forgive him for what happened."
Zhang Yue said: "I thank your majesty for your grace on behalf of my nephew. I dare not be partial. Mingsha City is not worth sacrificing, but the soldiers under Zhang Zhi have survived hundreds of battles and are all brave soldiers."
The emperor sighed, "I have been on the throne for many years, and it is inevitable that I will not have much affection for my old friends. I am helpless in this position."
He knew the government's intentions. Mingsha City had been under siege for so many days, and Zhang Zhi was afraid that he was in great danger, so he was willing to give it up as a favor.
As for his childhood friendship with Zhang Zhi, Zhang Yue wondered whether His Majesty had considered it.
But ordinary people are always very simple and have wishful thinking.
Zhang Yue remembers a saying: If you have a childhood friend or a good friend who has crossed the social ladder and reached a level that you can hardly even look up to, what should you do?
There is a saying that goes like this: don't contact each other on a daily basis except for catching up on the past. Send a message to say hello during the holidays, and then go to him when you encounter a difficult and important matter and want to ask him for help.
This favor can only be used once, and from now on, you two will owe each other nothing.
Of course not everyone is like this, but for the most part it is just the good wishes of ordinary people.
Zhang Zhi was appointed as the governor of Xihe Road at a young age, and the government treated him well.
Thinking of Zhang Zhi, Zhang Yue felt a little depressed, but compared to the overall national affairs, Zhang Zhi and Mingsha City seemed so insignificant.
This was not the main topic of discussion between Zhang Yue and the emperor.
After asking the emperor to have a good rest, Zhang Yue walked out of the hall and returned to the Zhongshu Examination Hall.
Cai Bian said to Zhang Yue: "Prime Minister, this is what I drafted."
"Since the first year of Xining, the imperial court has occupied Tongyuan Army to cultivate land. This place has become the source of money and grain for Xihe Road. After the household registration, the Han and non-Han population has reached 300,000. If the military control is not appropriate, it should be upgraded to a prefecture, and the proposed name is Gongzhou."
"This time the imperial court conquered Tiandu Mountain. In the past, Li Yuanhao built seven palaces here as a temporary palace. There is abundant water and grass here, and it can control more than 100,000 people from the foreign tribes. It is planned to establish a prefecture here and put it under the control of Qinfeng Road. The proposed name of the prefecture is Xi'an Prefecture."
"In addition, Shen Kuo built Pingxia City and advanced to Huluchuan from here. It is planned to set up an army here and put it under the control of Jingyuan Road. It is planned to name the army Huaide Army."
Cai Bian looked at Zhang Yue after he finished speaking. Although Zhang Yue was in a bad mood, he still said, "So the front lines of Jingyuan Road, Qinfeng Road, and Xihe Road have all advanced dozens of miles towards Dangxiang."
"Although the army suffered a great defeat this time, we have captured Lanzhou, Xi'an Prefecture, and Huaide Army, which can be considered as an explanation to the world."
“You mean well!”
Zhang Yue said this but showed no joy on his face.
Upon hearing this, Cai Bian lowered his head and said, "Prime Minister, Mingsha City has done its best, and now it all depends on fate."
Zhang Yue smiled bitterly when he heard this, and then thought about it.
Cai Bian is indeed talented.
Tongyuan Army was upgraded from an army to a state, its status was improved, and more resources were allocated.
Official rewards also have their origins.
The same was true for Huaide Army in Xi'an Prefecture.
Even though a state or a military unit may seem insignificant, they are all organized into "organizations".
With the establishment of a system, meritorious officials can be properly rewarded, and the leaders of a route will have more resources at their disposal.
When Zhang Yue conquered Xihe Road, many officials who followed him were promoted and became rich.
This is a real vacancy, not an empty position where the official is promoted to a higher position with salary but no assignment.
Tongyuan Army was upgraded to a prefecture, and with the addition of Lanzhou, the soldiers of Xihe Road who followed Li Xian and Zhang Zhi were all delighted.
Of course, Qinfeng Road, which had made contributions in transporting grain for many years, was given a Xi'an Prefecture. Shen Kuo's Jingyuan Road was also meritorious, although the faults were not small, so he was compensated with the Huaide Army.
With territory comes manpower, financial resources, and personnel power. In the final analysis, "establishment" is dependent on resources.
Zhang Yue said to Cai Bian: "From now on, the selection of officials for Lanzhou, Xi'an Prefecture, and Dehuai Army will all be recommended by the governor and the governor. If the court has no other arrangements, no officials will be transferred from other places to be appointed."
The power to appoint officials was still returned to the imperial court, but who would be appointed was decided by the governors and generals themselves.
There is a 'system' and there is motivation.
If you don't promote people, who will work hard for you?
Of course, this would undoubtedly lead to the "feudalization" that the emperor was worried about. It is natural for those in power to be suspicious, but they must dare to delegate power when employing people. Chongzhen was ignorant of the details, and the country was about to perish, but he still held power firmly in his hands.
At this moment, Zhang Yue felt as if a stone was pressing on his heart. He had never felt this way since he became the prime minister.
He said to Cai Bian: "Yuan Du, accompany me on this journey incognito!"
……
Zhang Yue and Cai Bian went to the teahouse on Ma Xing Street to drink tea.
The tea master here is good at making tea. There are also many scholars here, and they often discuss current affairs.
Zhang Yue often came to this teahouse to rest and listen to the people's opinions. Therefore, he booked a private room in this teahouse all year round and went there to drink tea when he was tired.
However, there are many "passionate" speeches by scholars.
Some people say that the Song army was defeated in the northwest because they used the foreign troops willfully. They did not use the Han army to defend their country, but placed all their hopes of pacifying the Xia on the foreign troops. This is like a father asking a ghostwriter to take the exam for his son when he failed the imperial examination.
It's really ridiculous.
Zhang Yue couldn't help laughing when he heard this, and said to Cai Bian, "Find out who this person is?"
After hearing the order to inquire, Cai Bian returned from the private room and reported to Zhang Yue, "This man is a fellow countryman of the Prime Minister, from Yanping, his surname is Huang and his name is Shang."
When Zhang Yue heard the name, he smiled and shook his head.
Cai Bian asked, "Has the Prime Minister ever heard of this man?"
Zhang Yue said: "I have heard a little bit about this person. I heard that he is well-versed in the Taoist Canon."
Cai Bian understood what he meant and after a moment invited a man in his thirties in.
There are countless powerful people in the capital city. When Huang Shang entered the private room, he knew that this person must be extraordinary, so he was not surprised or afraid.
Zhang Yue looked at the other person and saw that there were several patches on his clothes. He smiled and said, "I have learned a lot from what you said just now."
Huang Shang said, "I don't deserve it. I wonder what advice you have for me, the great lord, that you have invited me here?"
Zhang Yue said: "I don't deserve your advice, but I heard you are well-spoken, why don't we sit down and chat."
Huang Shang was a generous person, and he immediately said, "It is better to obey than to be respectful!"
The three of them sat down and chatted, and they seemed to be having a very pleasant conversation.
After talking for an hour, Huang Shang stood up to say goodbye. Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Okay, where does Sheng Zhong live? I'll take you back!"
Immediately, Zhang Yue and Cai Bian sent Huang Shang back to her residence in a carriage.
Huang Shang's residence was rather shabby. He said to Zhang Yue, "Goodbye!"
Zhang Yue said: "Wait!"
After that, Zhang Yue asked Peng Jingyi to take out a dozen gold beads and gave them to Huang Shang, saying, "Shengzhong, it's not easy to live in the capital. Food, clothing, housing and transportation all require money. I hope you will accept this small gift."
Huang Shang saw this and said, "I am a humble scholar. I don't know what I have done to deserve your attention. I dare not accept such a generous gift."
Zhang Yue and Cai Bian smiled at each other.
Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Shengzhong, you are overthinking. You and I are from the same hometown, and we have the friendship of meeting each other today, so there is no need to be so formal."
"Besides, these gold beads are really worthless to me today, but they can help you a lot, so why not do it."
(End of this chapter)