Back to the matter itself, Zhao Ding and Liu Ji, who were in charge of the capital province, naturally hoped that northern Shaanxi would be stable, and they just followed the government's previous words to "take turns to fight" instead of really starting a war. In this way, the country can focus on the fiscal reform that has already begun, so as to fully restore the country and completely untie the fatal fiscal shackles around the country's neck. But once something big happens in the northwest, the Western Xia will be involved, and the Northern Liao will return. It is possible that a war will break out, causing the country's hard-earned money to go down the drain.
By then, if we want the finances to get back on track, we don’t know when that will be.
As for the two chancellors, anyone who knows them a little knows that they refuted the two provincial governors from different perspectives. Chen is recognized as the best defender and has a perfect military response. Now that there is a flaw in the northwest, he is of course against inaction. Zhang, on the other hand, is a bit ambitious because of his personality. But who knows what thoughts have been aroused in his mind by the disputes in the northwest? Is he dreaming about Zhuge Wuhou again?
But the problem was that this time, after Zhang Jun spoke with great expectation, Emperor Zhao just remained silent, and no one knew what he was thinking about.
"Officials."
The difficulty of the matter was obvious at the beginning. Li Guangdu, the Chief Censor, could not think of where to criticize for a moment, so he frowned and thought. After hesitating for a while, the Minister of War Hu Shijiang had nowhere to hide and had no choice but to step forward. "There was no major disaster in the autumn harvest this year. Even Jingdong did not delay the autumn harvest because of its quick and clever attack. However, if a large number of troops are used in a place like northern Shaanxi, the difficulty of transportation is not comparable to that of the Central Plains and Guanzhong! Maybe we have to dispatch troops from Bashu, but Bashu is still using half of the tax to repay the Yaoshan War this year. Do we have to borrow from Bashu again after paying off the debt?"
This statement is of course the truth that needs no refutation, and it hits the sore spot of Zhang Jun and Zhao Jiu.
Zhang Jun frowned and hesitated for a moment, and Zhao Jiu finally spoke: "Then according to what Minister Hu said, how should we deal with it? What if the Jin people really use the land of northern Shaanxi to lure the Xixia people into the game?"
"Repair the forts along the route, store food on the spot, wait and see, and then discuss other matters..." General Hu responded earnestly. "As the head of the Ministry of War, I have no choice but to go to Guanxi and personally take charge of this matter."
Zhao Jiu frowned slightly, and before he could answer, a man stepped out unexpectedly. It was Wang Shu, the former chief official of northern Shaanxi and today's Minister of Justice.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say to you and the civil and military officials in the palace, and I have a question for you, the ministers and Minister Hu." Wang Shu bowed. "Please agree to it, Your Majesty."
"I called you here so that you can speak freely." Zhao Jiu, who was sitting on the throne, immediately raised his hand to signal.
"Yes." Wang Shu, the Minister of Justice, bowed his head, then turned around and looked around, and spoke in a serious tone. "My dear gentlemen and colleagues, I have something to tell you. When I was in charge of the overall situation in northern Shaanxi, I heard the news myself... Li Ganshun, the ruler of Western Xia, did bribe Nianhan and ask for the surrounding Song and Liao territories to be given to him, and Nianhan did talk about giving the Liao territories near Yinshan to Western Xia... In other words, this matter is by no means groundless! Yelu Yudu is a dog that has lost its home, but it does not mean that his words should not be taken seriously."
Zhao Ding and Liu Ji were both solemn, and many people in the hall also became serious.
Moreover, this matter was obviously a major military and national affair, and more importantly, military strategy. Wang Shu was the head of the Ministry of Justice, and he had the serious matter of revising and publishing the "Criminal Code". Logically, he should not have been called here to participate in this meeting, but the government still called him here, and no one else raised any objections. It was simply because the government wanted him to provide relevant intelligence, information and opinions because he had once been in charge of the military and political situation in northern Shaanxi.
Now that Wang Shu has clearly provided his views as an expert on northern Shaanxi and an important official, we have to further consider the possibility that the Xixia people are really involved in northern Shaanxi.
"Even so, we can still dig deep trenches and build high fortifications, prepare food supplies and train soldiers, so as to respond to ever-changing situations with the same attitude." In the serious atmosphere, General Hu Shi responded earnestly and insisted on his position.
"How can we just dig deep trenches and build high fortifications, stockpile food and train soldiers? Why not send the Baoan Army and Dingbian Army out together as a bonus?" Qu Duan, a cavalryman from the Imperial Camp who had just returned from Jingdong, finally couldn't help himself.
After hearing Qu Duan's words, Wang Shu, who was about to refute Hu Shijiang, suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and was unable to speak. Hu Shijiang seemed to be unable to understand and asked seriously:
"What does Commander Qu mean?"
"Isn't this a gift from the Jurchens to the Xixia people?" Qu Duan sneered as he stood in the shadow of the hall at dusk. "We can also send the Bao'an Army and Dingbian Army as a gift, but it won't weaken our momentum... and make us look like a great country."
General Hu finally realized that the other party was mocking him maliciously, and he suppressed his anger and said, "General Qu, this is about national affairs!"
"I'm also talking about national affairs." Qu Duan responded proudly. "The Baoan Army, Dingbian Army, and the three northern camps of Qingzhou are actually more convenient to connect with Yan'an. Since we need to dig deep trenches and build high fortifications to save money and food, why can't we send them out? Didn't Sima Xianggong send them out? In fact, if you ask me, Minister Hu still doesn't understand the geography of Guanxi. If we want to save food and effort, Huaide Army, Zhenrong Army, Xi'an Prefecture, and Huizhou should all be sent out. If you want to save more trouble, the west of Lanzhou and the entire Hehuang can also be sent out! If you still think it's a waste of food, wouldn't it be more appropriate to send the entire Guanxi out and only guard Tongguan, Dasanguan and other passes?"
General Hu was stunned for a moment, then became angry and was about to turn around and impeach this man. Even Li Guang was finally about to take action.
At this moment, Prime Minister Zhao Ding and Prime Minister Zhang Jun rushed forward and shouted, "Qu Duan, this is the lobby of Wende Hall. If you say anything absurd again, get out now!"
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