The war has not stopped, it has just slowed down.
The Liao Kingdom wanted to close its borders, but the Song Dynasty would not let them do so easily. They had to make things more difficult for Yelu Hongji.
The Imperial Palace.
Zhao Xu said to Zhang Fei excitedly, "As you expected, news just came from Dengzhou that when the Liao ruler announced the maritime ban, the Liao smugglers overseas immediately took control of Taohua Island and hoped to get our support."
Zhang Fei said: "Your Majesty, we must take this island, because the Liao Kingdom still has great demand for our products. If we control this island, we can not only continue to infiltrate and undermine the Liao Lord's ban, but also use it to contact the tribes in the north of the Liao Kingdom, and even Goryeo, and then infiltrate from their rear.
The Liao ruler will certainly take tougher measures to suppress us, and will certainly send people to seize Peach Blossom Island, as well as suppress the northern tribes. In this way, we will be able to tie up some of their power.
In short, we must try every possible means to give Liao a headache."
Zhao Xu laughed and said, "You think the same as I do, just like the Northern Dynasty treated us the same way."
Before, when the Song Dynasty made some moves against Western Xia, the Liao Kingdom took advantage of the situation to rob it. This must be dealt with in the same way that the Song Dynasty dealt with it.
Zhang Fei certainly knew that the Jurchens were behind the Liao Kingdom, but the current Song Dynasty had no reason to be afraid of the Jurchens. They would become pawns of the Song Dynasty.
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Zhang Fei said: "Also, Your Majesty, have you ever thought about how to incorporate our maritime merchants into our territory when they take over some strategic locations like Peach Blossom Island overseas?"
Zhao Xu frowned and said, "But overseas areas are not easy to control."
Zhang Fei said: "I think that compared to the complicated customs of Xihe, the overseas areas need to be better controlled. Because there is no order without rules, and this is especially true for merchants. We can encourage maritime merchants to open up more territories through legislation.
At that time, the imperial court can establish local government offices and provide military support in exchange for local tax revenue. The merchants will definitely be happy, and Your Majesty will also gain something.”
Zhao Xu asked, "How much tax can those places collect?"
Zhang Fei said: "The places that merchants value must be places where they can make money. Merchants will not go there if it is really deserted."
"That's true." Zhao Xu nodded slightly, "Let's do as you say."
Zhang Fei smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, I am the chief judge, and I am not responsible for such matters. I suggest that such matters should be handed over to the Political Affairs Hall for handling in the future."
After hearing this, Zhao Xu's expression changed slightly, and he frowned and said, "In fact, Duke Wen and the others have hinted to me about this matter, but this means that I may have to hand over the Great Song Security Bureau."
Only the two of them knew about the plan against Yelu Yixin, and the prime minister was kept in the dark. Although everyone was relieved when it was successful.
But when they came to their senses, they found that something was wrong, so they expressed their dissatisfaction with Zhao Xu. We are the prime ministers, and the chief judge is only in charge of the trial. You two were messing around with this behind the scenes and kept it secret from us. Is this appropriate?
We don't know what to do if something unexpected happens. Who knows how to deal with it?
Zhao Xu has also been thinking about this issue recently.
Zhang Fei said: "Your Majesty does not need to hand over the Great Song Security Department. You only need to divide these secrets into several levels. Now the lowest level can be handed over to the local authorities for handling, while military and national affairs can be handed over to the Political Affairs Hall, the Three Departments, or the Privy Council. However, if it involves national security, especially cases of treason, it must be reported to Your Majesty first, and Your Majesty will have full authority to decide."
Zhao Xu nodded and asked, "What about you?"
Zhang Fei said: "If Your Majesty needs it, I can help Your Majesty with advice, but these matters should be handed over to the Political Affairs Hall. There was no way to hide it from them before, because they would not agree to any policy that would undermine the Chanyuan Alliance. But now the situation has changed, and we must unite as one to face the coming war. Without the discussion of the Political Affairs Hall, many things will be difficult to handle."
Zhao Xu thought for a moment, nodded and said, "That makes sense!"
After a pause, he continued, "By the way! Everyone knows that the Liao Kingdom will not give up, and the war will still come. We don't have much time left. I recently plan to give soldiers a higher status. What do you think about this?"
Zhang Fei said: "In fact, the treatment of soldiers in our dynasty is not bad, but they are exploited by military generals, so that soldiers have to help those generals to work in order to earn basic living expenses.
And the status of soldiers is too low. When I was trying a case in Hezhong Prefecture, I encountered an incident where the officials of Hezhong Prefecture, for the sake of pomp, mobilized some soldiers to sing and dance in front of the team, just like clowns. How could such an army win the war? And this is not what Your Majesty wants. "
Zhao Xu nodded immediately, "This is indeed not what I want to see."
Zhang Fei said: "To solve these problems, I think we must pass legislation to protect the rights of soldiers. We can no longer be so careless as before. I can help Your Majesty draft a bill to protect the rights of soldiers, and then Your Majesty will submit it to the Legislative Council for promulgation.
In this way, the soldiers will naturally be grateful to Your Majesty and be willing to serve Your Majesty. If the soldiers are treated unfairly, they can immediately file a lawsuit. This will also limit those military generals from holding their own troops."
Zhao Xu nodded and said, "You can draft this bill. It just so happens that the court will also reward those soldiers who have made military achievements recently."
"yes."
As the Liao Kingdom entered a strategic defense phase due to internal affairs, the Western Xia, which had originally planned to join forces with the Liao Kingdom to launch a powerful attack, was also forced to switch to a strategic defense phase.
However, the Liao Kingdom did not give up on Western Xia and was increasing its aid. After the Song Dynasty tore up the Treaty of Chanyuan, the Liao Kingdom immediately signed an alliance agreement with Western Xia. Even if the Liao ruler was incompetent and unjust, he still had some strategic awareness. After all, they had been playing the Three Kingdoms game for decades.
The news also reached the capital at the first opportunity.
Chuigong Hall.
Wen Yanbo said: "Although we currently have an advantage, especially in terms of national strength, because both Xixia and Liao are now in internal friction, and our national strength is growing day by day, but this national strength cannot be fully converted into military strength, and it is not enough to confront both of them head-on at the same time. We can't do anything about Liao for the time being, so we can only do our best to weaken Xixia during this period, and we must not let Xixia catch its breath."
Zhao Xu nodded.
Wang Anshi also said: "What Wen Gong said is very reasonable. I agree with Wang Shao's strategy. According to Wang Shao's letter, Xixia is very weak now. It has stopped attacking on the north and south lines and is shifting its attention to the Ganzhou area in the rear.
Wang Shao believed that we could strengthen our relationship with Tubo through the war between Xixia and the various Tibetan ethnic groups in Ganzhou, and strengthen our offense and infiltration in Ganzhou, Suzhou and other places, so as to contain and weaken Xixia.
At the same time, Wang Shao also introduced the situation on the Xixia border. Because Xixia had previously forcibly recruited hundreds of thousands of troops, the people in the country were exhausted and many wealthy merchants and landlords could not bear it. If we can ensure their interests in the local area, we can better persuade them to rebel. "
Zhao Xu asked: "How can we ensure this?"
Wang Anshi said: "Their court owns many pastures and fields on the border, but they are within the sphere of influence of some powerful people. If we can issue a policy that those powerful people will own all the land and pastures they bring as long as they surrender to us, this will make more local powerful people surrender.
Because their food and horses can no longer be sold at a high price in Xixia, and may even be requisitioned by the imperial court without compensation. However, once they are incorporated into our dynasty, their prices will usually increase several times.”
Zhao Xu nodded and said, "Of course there is no problem. The Political Affairs Hall will immediately draft a decree. As long as anyone surrenders, we will immediately grant them the land deed."
Lu Huiqing suddenly said, "Your Majesty, recently Dengzhou sea merchant Chen Shoucheng hopes to purchase firearms from the Military Equipment Bureau."
Zhao Xu pretended to be surprised and asked, "Why do they want to buy firearms?"
Lu Huiqing said: "Before the battle of Waqiaoguan last year, the border trading places were already in name only. At that time, merchants who traded with Liao chose to go to Dengzhou to trade with Liao by sea. Now Liao has cut off all contacts with us, including prohibiting maritime trade.
However, this caused the prices of tea and silk in Liao to soar, and more Khitans took the risk of smuggling at sea, and the maritime trade with Dengzhou has never been cut off.
Their current trading location is Taohua Island near the coast of Liao State. The sea merchants of Dengzhou hope to have enough power to control this island. "
Wang Anshi said: "I support giving help to maritime merchants. The example of Xixia has told us that in the process of trade, we always hold the initiative. If the other party prohibits it and we open it, it will cause great trouble to the other party.
If we control this island, the Liao Kingdom will certainly send troops to seize it, but on the island, their war horses will not be able to exert their power. We can use this to weaken the Liao Kingdom and continue to create panic in the country. The Military Equipment Bureau can also make a lot of money by selling weapons."
Zhao Xu nodded and said, "That makes sense!"
He knew very well that this was what Zhang Fei had told Wang Anshi, because according to the system of separation of politics and law, Zhang Fei, as the chief judge, generally could not sit here and discuss military and national affairs with them.
Usually the emperor would summon him alone, which was why Zhao Xu was very fond of this system, because it could achieve a balance. The key to this balance was that there was no need to fragment power and it could ensure that government orders were implemented.
Wen Yanbo was very worried and said, "But firearms are our top secret. If they go out to sea, their whereabouts will be unknown. If they fall into the hands of the Liao people and are copied by them, it will be very disadvantageous to us."
Wang Anshi said: "There is a risk in this regard, but if we can control maritime transportation, Liao will not be able to get too many raw materials."
Zhao Xu said: "How about this, the court will form a navy that specializes in using firearms to escort the merchant caravans, and then increase port taxes."
Wen Yanbo immediately said, "Your Majesty, this is not appropriate. The port tax belongs to Your Majesty, but the court is setting up a naval force with money allocated by the national treasury."
This old man reacted really quickly. Zhao Xu saw that his little trick was seen through by them, and said: "Okay, okay, the money for setting up the naval division will also be paid by me."
Zhang Fei had already done the math for him. If the tax from Peach Blossom Island was charged to him, he would make a huge profit.
Seeing that the emperor was displeased, Wen Yanbo restrained himself a little, "Your Majesty, it's not that I'm stingy, but the national treasury still owes a lot of debts."
Then he looked at Xue Xiang again and said, "Sansi Envoy, there will be no war in the northern border for the time being. I heard that national debt can be traded. Why don't Sansi spend money to buy back those national debts? This will also reduce a lot of interest."
Xue Xiang immediately said, "To be honest with you, Lord Wen, I have already considered this matter, but those businessmen are also very shrewd. Seeing that there is no war in the north, the price of national debt has also risen a bit. If we buy it back now, we will still lose some money."
Zhao Xu asked: "How many national debts have been sold now?"
Xue Xiang said: "All the five million strings of cash have been used in Hebei."
Zhao Xu asked again: "What do the three officials plan to do?"
Xue Xiang thought for a moment before answering: "I think the court should buy back these debts."
Zhao Xu asked: "Why?"
Xue Xiang said: "Now that we are buying back these debts, firstly, it can enhance the country's credit, and secondly, there is a shortage of currency in the market. This buyback can increase the circulation of currency among the people and is conducive to the development of business.
Finally, judging from the current situation, we will eventually have a war with the Liao Kingdom, and it may not be too late. Repurchasing it now will allow it to be used at a critical moment. "
Wen Yanbo asked, "How much will it cost to buy it back?"
Xue Xiang said: "I have discussed this with the three major savings banks. They only require us to pay one-fifth of the interest, because it is the interest on the national debt that has led them to start a large-scale savings business. However, many people are taking their money out now, and the market needs more coins, so they are willing to let us buy them back at a low price."
Zhao Xu nodded and said, "Let's do as you suggest."
Wang Anshi added: "Your Majesty, the Li Dynasty and Dali in the south are always hidden dangers, especially when we are fighting in the north. According to the reports from spies, they are also facing many conflicts at home. Now the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs have entered Yongzhou and Shu. We should start planning in the south and strengthen trade with them first. This will also promote the development of our country's commerce. At the same time, we can take the opportunity to infiltrate their country and create chaos in their country. When the time is right, we will incorporate these two territories into our territory."
Zhao Xu nodded thoughtfully and said, "Your words make sense. Although they are not a concern, we are afraid that they will take advantage of the situation. We should be on guard against them. It would be best if we can get rid of them once and for all."
After that, he thought for a while and said, "Well, I will send two special envoys to negotiate with them. In addition, I will transfer some officials from Xihe. They know what to do."
Since we are moving towards an empire, we must open up our horizons and not be particular about order, or limit our vision to the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun and the Hetao area in the northwest, which is too narrow. Instead, we must increase the influence of the Song Dynasty in all places, eliminate current enemies, and curb possible hidden dangers.
This was unthinkable in the past because the Song Dynasty did not have the strength to do so. However, the success in Xihe and Western Xia opened the door for the Song Dynasty to become an empire.
This highly mixed warfare of politics, economy, military and ideology enabled the Song Dynasty to gain something while creating chaos for the enemy.
This group of geniuses in the Song Dynasty gradually became more proficient and knew how to play this game.
In fact, when they really played it through, they didn't need Zhang Fei to give any advice at all, because no matter in politics or military, Zhang Fei was like a weak chicken. All along, he was just giving advice and providing a general direction, and the real implementers were still Wang Anshi, Wen Yanbo, Sima Guang and others.
However, at the judicial level, Zhang Fei is still able to maintain his advantage. After all, many of their ideas and concepts are difficult to change, and it is difficult for them to keep up with Zhang Fei's pace.
Zhang Fei also gradually withdrew from administration and focused more on the judicial level.
Recently, he helped Zhao Xu draft the "Military Rights Protection Act". After Zhao Xu read it, he felt that there was no problem, so he submitted it to the Legislative Council and asked the Legislative Council to legislate on it.
Legislative Council.
"What does Kuanfu think?"
Fu Bi asked Wen Yanbo.
Wen Yanbo said: "It is true that the status of soldiers should be improved now, but this bill must have been drafted by Zhang Fei."
Fu Bi smiled and nodded, "Since he came to Hezhong Prefecture to serve as the chief judge, he has drafted many laws regarding soldiers."
Wen Yanbo said: "If the soldiers all believe that the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs are the foundation for protecting their rights, then the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs will be more stable. However, the abominable thing about this kid is that he has always used the disputes between civil and military officials to win the favor of military generals and soldiers."
Fu Bi smiled and nodded, "It seems so, but this kid is smarter than us. In this bill, it seems to increase the status of soldiers, but in fact it strengthens the protection of soldiers by the state and society. In this way, it will be difficult for military generals to win over soldiers, because these protections are beyond the reach of military generals."
Wen Yanbo nodded.
The war is at hand, and the status of soldiers must be improved. This is beyond doubt.
Soon, the Legislative Council promulgated the "Military Personnel Rights Protection Law" in accordance with Zhao Xu's order.
Legislation has already been enacted regarding soldiers' pensions and bonuses, but those are just basic rights and interests. It is normal for soldiers to receive full military pay and it has nothing to do with their status.
This "Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Military Personnel" is mainly aimed at improving the status of military personnel.
For example, when soldiers, including their relatives, go to see a doctor, even if they have no money, they must first see a doctor and get prescription medicine in public hospitals or ordinary pharmacies. They cannot refuse, and the state is responsible for this.
The state will pay for the disability and illness caused by the war at no charge. The funeral expenses of soldiers, including cemeteries, are also paid for by the state.
In addition, soldiers have the right to borrow up to 30 strings of cash without collateral. That is, when a soldier goes to a storehouse to borrow money, even if he has no collateral, the storehouse has to lend him the money, and the state will also provide a guarantee for this.
Of course, this kind of borrowing money will require interest, and the borrowed money still needs to be repaid. It’s just that if you really can’t afford it, the court will help you repay it, but under normal circumstances, it is impossible to repay it.
As for education, the sons of soldiers can be exempted from 30% of tuition fees, and the college cannot refuse.
In addition, when government agencies and business offices recruit for specific positions and veterans apply, they must be given priority. Even your son cannot be ranked ahead of a soldier.
You know, this is legislation, a hard and fast rule, which means that if your son really cuts in front of a soldier, he will be prosecuted.
In a word, to put it simply, it is to reflect a priority, and the purpose is very simple, which is to elevate the status of soldiers.
After the law was promulgated, genuine bookstores immediately published articles praising the emperor's emphasis on soldiers, and even implied that the status given to soldiers by the current emperor surpassed that of all previous emperors combined, including Taizu and Taizong.
When the other newspapers saw this, they immediately followed suit and started to spread the news.
Sing praises to the emperor.
At the same time, the Dengzhou merchants took the Taohua Island title deed they had drafted and submitted a petition to the court, explaining the importance of the island to the country and demanding that the island be included in the territory of the Song Dynasty and that protection be provided.
In fact, this island did belong to the Liao Kingdom. This was recorded in Liao documents. Because it was so close to the Liao Kingdom, one could even row a wooden plank across it. But now it was indeed controlled by Liao Kingdom smugglers and Song Dynasty merchants.
Because Yelu Hongji was looking for trouble with them everywhere, if they were caught they would be dead, so they all fled to Peach Blossom Island, and cooperated with Song merchants, and presented the island to the Song Dynasty.
Based on the current relationship with the Liao Kingdom, the Song Dynasty naturally would not refuse and would accept it directly.
To this end, the Political Affairs Hall also promulgated the "Peach Blossom Island Act", which officially included Peach Blossom Island into the legal territory of the Song Dynasty, and would also send officials to Peach Blossom Island. This included the Overseas Territories Act, which simply gave merchants the power to help the country expand its territory.
Xiongzhou.
Inside the parade ground, thousands of soldiers were seen holding their heads high, looking at the stage with excitement.
But in addition to Liu Changzuo, there was also the nobleman Lan Yuanzhen who had just arrived in Xiongzhou. He was specially ordered to come here to represent the emperor in awarding rewards to the soldiers who had made military achievements in the Battle of Waqiaoguan.
The soldiers of the Song Dynasty had not felt rewarded so quickly and so grandly for a long time.
But a tall and burly man came up to the stage, and Lan Yuanzhen first hung a bronze medal around his neck.
"What is this?"
The soldier touched the medal and asked with excitement and curiosity.
Lan Yuanzhen said with a smile: "This is a military medal, specially designed by the current emperor for soldiers who have made meritorious services. When you return to the local government office, you can sew this medal on your police uniform."
The soldier was very happy, and he kept fiddling with the bronze medal on his neck, laughing and saying, "This medal is really exquisite."
Lan Yuanzhen just laughed.
At this time, Liu Changzuo came over again and handed silk and copper coins to the soldier.
The soldier asked excitedly, "General, I heard that we will have a lot of money to pay for medical treatment in the future?"
Liu Changzuo said: "Wounds sustained on the battlefield are free of charge, but other illnesses still require payment, but you can pay them in advance. Whether it is a hospital or a pharmacy, they must first treat you or your wife and children and prescribe medicine."
The soldier added: "I heard that our family doesn't have to worry about funeral expenses and cemeteries."
Liu Changzuo was speechless and said, "On this happy day, can you say something auspicious?"
"Yes, yes, yes."
The soldier asked again: "But General, can this be exchanged for tax coins? We don't know where to put all this money."
Lan Yuanzhen laughed and said, "You can deposit it at the Jiekupu and ask for tax coins, or send it back home. It's all up to you."
Issuing tax coins is too ceremonial and difficult to inspire everyone.
The soldier understood and immediately turned around, holding the copper coins in one hand and the silk in the other.
There was a chorus of boos.
"Hurry up and go down, we are still waiting."
The soldier immediately put down his hands in frustration and walked away angrily.
Liu Changzuo was so troubled that he kept rubbing his head.
The imperial court could not favor one over the other, and the Northwest Army was also rewarded.
However, the atmosphere here is much more serious than that in Hebei. After all, Hebei only fought one war, while they have been fighting for two or three years.
The eunuch Li Yan was responsible for awarding medals on behalf of the emperor, while commanders such as Wang Shao and Zhong Yan gave money, and finally Cao Ping gave him a tailor-made police uniform.
Taking advantage of this reward, the Northwest Army will also undergo a major rotation.
Because Xixia can no longer fight at the moment, and the front line does not need so many soldiers.
However, the previous rotation was different. The retired soldiers only went to the rear to serve as royal police, especially in Shu, and the replacements were also royal police.
In addition, 3,000 of the retired soldiers will enter Shu and establish public security, procuratorial and judicial systems there.
Moreover, in order to improve the status of soldiers and royal police, all military and police uniforms will be replaced and designed specifically for them by the most skillful tailors in the world.
Of course, this is also a form of training. After all, there is a huge difference between those who have been on the battlefield and those who have not. It also helps to prepare for future wars.
The finale is coming soon. If you don’t vote for the monthly ticket, you will have no chance. . . .
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