In the Song Dynasty, local military and political affairs were definitely separated. Even the transport commissioner had no right to interfere with the army, especially the imperial guards, which were directly led by the three military commands of the court and the Privy Council held the power to dispatch troops. They had absolutely no connection with the local authorities.
If local officials and landlords want to rebel, they must win over the army. But the army is not so easy to win over. The imperial court spends so much money every year to support the army. This money is distributed by the imperial court, not given by local officials and landlords. So, which side do you think the army will stand on?
Moreover, the Song Dynasty army was so frustrated. Everyone viewed them with prejudice, and they felt isolated, making it even more impossible for them to integrate into the circles of officials and landlords.
The reason Shen Tu Xin is able to win over Li Xiu Xuan is because the Guangde Army is going to be replaced in the new military and political system, and Li Xiu Xuan is trying to survive in a desperate situation.
Originally, this kind of brainless idiot was quite confident in himself because of his ignorance. He thought, "If you, the emperor, dare to replace me, I will lead my brave and fearless Guangde army brothers all the way north and kill you!"
But ever since Han Shizhong slaughtered the Huaiyang army in Jingdong Road, Li Xiuxuan has come to a profound understanding of his own strength.
I heard that many soldiers of the Huaiyang Army knelt down and begged for mercy, but it was no use. They killed everyone who deserved to be killed. Han Shizhong was simply a god of death reincarnated. The corpses piled up like mountains, and in the end, they were all burned to the ground.
Li Xiuxuan finally realized he lacked intelligence; brute force alone wouldn't cut it. Who had a brain? Shen Tu Xin did! To survive, he needed to find someone with brains, otherwise he feared he wouldn't make it past chapter ten!
So Li Xiuxuan and Shen Tuxin got together. Coincidentally, Shen Tuxin had embezzled a lot of money in Jiangnan East Road, more than the prefect of Qingzhou. Seeing that the court had finished dealing with the Central Plains and the dog emperor was about to turn his attention to the south, Shen Tuxin had to save himself.
He also called on the officials and gentry of Jiangnan East Road to save themselves, telling them that they were all corrupt, implying that since he, Shen Tu Xin, was tied up outside the Five Dynasties Gate, he would definitely expose them all, so why not all work together? Sitting and waiting would surely lead to death, but standing up and fighting would surely lead to survival.
When the local gentry and powerful families saw this, they thought, "Damn it, the Central Plains have been slaughtered like this by this dog emperor, and now he wants to reduce taxes? He's really scraping flesh off us! And he wants to abolish corvée labor? Is he trying to elevate those lowly people to the same level as us?"
This emperor is incompetent! How can he represent the interests of the large landowning class? Author, replace him with Prince Kang!
So the forces in the south began to plot in secret. The army and officials soon embraced each other and rolled around in bed together, no longer caring about the Privy Council or the Three Offices. Now the Privy Council was going to destroy them, and only by relying on local officials could they survive.
The bigwigs of Jiangnan East Road, Jiangnan West Road, and even Jinghu Road, Chengdufu Road, etc., were all supported by Cai Jing and his group.
Although they don't have any feelings for Cai Jing, they can always find another wall to lean on when one falls, but it's clear that the next wall is unreliable right now!
So everyone was filled with righteous indignation, saying that Grand Tutor Cai died unjustly, the Emperor Emeritus was tragic, and the Song Dynasty would never have a peaceful day! We, the loyal and righteous, must sacrifice ourselves to rectify the foundation of the nation!
Faced with Li Xiuxuan's question, Shen Tuxin smiled slightly and replied with great composure, as if Zhuge Liang were showing off with a feather fan. If Liu Yanzong saw this, he would definitely be dissatisfied.
How many troops do you currently command?
"We conscripted able-bodied men and recruited local militia, totaling 100,000."
"Quickly go and seal off all the ferry crossings on the Yangtze River. Without ferry crossings, let's see how Han Shizhong will cross the river!"
Li Xiuxuan looked at Shen Tu Xin as if he were a genius: "How come I didn't think of that!"
"Hangzhou's Maritime Trade Office, go and mobilize some ships and find some militiamen familiar with the water to block off all the important ferry crossings on the Yangtze River. First, seize the geographical advantage, and how can Han Shizhong's troops fight you?"
Li Xiuxuan was overjoyed. "So, I'm going to crush Han Shizhong?"
"That's right, you're going to crush Han Shizhong!"
Li Xiuxuan was slightly taken aback. Damn it, this dog of a scholar, you know exactly what I'm thinking!
At this moment, a scout quickly entered and reported from outside: "Reporting to Lord Shentu, the Nankang Army has recruited 100,000 men and is currently stationed in Duchang County! The Jianchang Army and the Linjiang Army have also completed their recruitment!"
Li Xiuxuan was slightly taken aback, looking at Shen Tu Xin: "Nankang, Jianchang, and Linjiang have also started taking action?"
Shen Tu Xin sighed, as if to say, "Get out of here. Being brain-dead is a disease, and I'm afraid you'll spread it."
Since we're already going to tear off the mask and rebel against that damned emperor, can't we at least avoid making things worse beforehand?
It just so happens that the commanders of those Imperial Guards in Jiangnan West Road are also full of shit. Just like you, they are terrified of Han Shizhong, so they all came to me. Of course, I had to prepare in advance, since the emperor's new army is not just Han Shizhong's.
"Yue Fei is currently stationed in Jiangling Prefecture. He doesn't even need to cross the Yangtze River. If he were to march east, and the western front of Jiangnan West Road is not properly defended, Yue Fei would very likely march east. At that time, you would have to deal with Han Shizhong on the Yangtze River and Yue Fei in the territory of Jiangnan East Road. This would put you in a very passive position."
Upon hearing this, Li Xiuxuan suddenly realized what was going on and immediately praised Shen Tu Xin as being just like Zhou Yu!
Oh ho, I never thought you, with your pig-headed, dog-shit brain, would actually know about Zhou Yu?
Li Xiuxuan also felt that Shen Tuxin looked at him strangely, but he couldn't figure out what was strange about it. However, he was simple-minded. As long as he had wine, meat, and women, he could act recklessly and not be killed by the dog emperor, why should he think so much? What if he thought too much and his brain exploded?
Zhao Huan carefully read the message sent by the scouts ahead and a look of delight appeared on his face.
Xu Churen and the other ministers from the two ministries looked at each other in bewilderment. The emperor revealed a look of delight. Could it be that the progress in Hangzhou was going very smoothly, and there were already results in just about a month?
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
