Song Mingyue

Chapter 248 The Battle for Capital Control

In less than three days, the news that the five sons of the Cai family had an affair with a concubine caused a commotion all over the city, and everyone knew it, and it even became the topic of conversation among the people in Bianliang City after drinking and tea.

Although in the end it was found that the concubine was indeed in collusion with her husband to blackmail Cai Wei, but it also proved that Cai Wei had indeed had an affair with her, and was finally beaten fifty times and kicked out.

As for Cai Kuang, no matter what, he couldn't explain why he went to Fanlou alone, entered the concubine's pavilion, and shared a room alone with the concubine to drink.Moreover, according to the testimony of Fanlou's waiter, Cai Kui designated to go to Qingyue Pavilion as soon as he came in. It was Qingyue Pavilion where the concubine was brought by two waiters himself. You can't rely on it.

Anyway, the Cai family suffered from being dumb in this matter, and they couldn't tell what they were suffering.

Originally, he thought that he would get married with the official family, but who knew that the engagement between Cai Wei and Emperor Maode was broken off within five days, and the official Longyan was furious, thinking that the Cai family had brought shame to the royal family.

Of course, these are only official and private statements.

For Cai Jing's party, the ins and outs of the matter are very clear, that is, their deadly enemy Zhao Hao set up a trap to frame Cai Wei.

The eunuch who came to deliver the letter to Cai Wei was called Zhang Di, and Cai Wei would only believe it if he recognized Zhang Di, but in fact, Zhang Di did not leave the palace at all that day, nor did any eunuchs leave the palace. Only Jin Yiwei, who is a mixed bag of fish and dragons, has it.

This case should not have been in charge of Jin Yiwei, but Zhao Hao took the initiative to snatch it, and those big men and the concubines who pretended to be Zhao Fujin disappeared after being beaten up by Jin Yiwei in a pretentious manner.

And the most important thing is that Zhao Hao happened to be entertaining guests in Fanlou that day, and in the pavilion next to Qingyue Pavilion, he inexplicably hosted a banquet for third-rank and above officials belonging to different factions. After the incident, Zhao Hao was the first The fact that Cai Kuan's identity was identified by the first appearance has made the truth obvious.

Although Cai Jingyi knew it in his heart, there was nothing he could do about it. It had something to do with the innocence of Empress Maode, if he really wanted to argue with the officials, it would only make the description darker and darker, which would be counterproductive.

So although Cai Jing was so angry that he wanted to tear Zhao Hao's body into pieces, he could only break his front teeth and swallow his blood. Who told his stupid son to short-circuit his head and jump into the trap set by others.

As for the enmity between Cai Jing and Zhao Hao, they have long since become irreconcilable, and they don't care about it.

It's just that the fifth son of the Cai family is poor, Huang Liang wakes up from a dream, and the stimulation is too deep. After returning home, he fell ill and lay in bed for more than two months.

……

The weather is getting cooler and cooler, the autumn harvest is over, preparations for the Northern Expedition are almost ready, and the issue of sending troops is also on the agenda.

In front of Xuande Gate, hundreds of officials gathered earlier than usual to wait for the court.

Because everyone knows that today is the decision on some important issues of the Northern Expedition, and no one dares to be absent or ask for leave.

Everything is ready for the Northern Expedition, only the east wind is owed.

This Dongfeng is the question of who is in command. Historically, Tong Guan was in command. In fact, Tong Guan has been in charge of the Western Army for 20 years. The Fangla Rebellion, coupled with his status as an eunuch, the status of the coach is almost unshakable.

Just judging from the crowd in front of the Xuande Gate, the Qingliu faction, Cai Jing and Tong Guan are all talking about each other. I am afraid that there will be another fierce debate in the court.

For Tong Guan's party, it is a certainty that Tong Guan will be in command as the Propaganda envoy. The problem is that at least they must strive for the positions of deputy envoy and capital commander, so as to maximize their benefits. After all, the Northern Expedition The battle of war is the core interest of Tong Guan Yi Party.

The reason why Cai Jing gradually fell out of favor was that Zhao Hao's repeated suppression was only a secondary reason, and the real main reason was that Cai Jing advocated uniting the Liao Dynasty to resist the Jin Dynasty, while Tong Guan, Wang Fu and others advocated uniting the Jin Dynasty to attack the Liao Dynasty and regain Youyun sixteen states.It was Zhao Ji's dream to recover the sixteen prefectures of Youyun. Cai Jing was out of step with the officials, so he would naturally fall out of favor, while Tong Guan, Wang Fu and others gradually gained favor because they advocated the Northern Expedition.

Therefore, Faliao was Tong Guan and Wang Fu's trump card, they only wanted to eat the meat and bones, and they didn't even want to leave the soup for others to drink.

The members of the Qingliu Party naturally want to push Zhongshizhong, Shidao and others to the forefront, and the positions of governor and deputy commander are indispensable. It is best to win a deputy envoy, so as to get a piece of the cake of the Northern Expedition .

As for Cai Jing's party, which originally opposed the Northern Expedition, their intentions are now unpredictable. Cai Jing, Yu Shen, Bai Shizhong, Yang Jian and other core figures also spoke in extremely low voices, as if they were afraid of being heard.

As the morning bell rang, the Xuande Gate slowly opened, and the various factions had already made an internal discussion and all rushed to the palace.

In the Chuigong Hall, today's team lined up very fast, and soon quieted down. Everyone held their breath and waited for the official's arrival.

After a while, Zhao Ji, surrounded by Liang Shicheng and others, came at the pace of dragons and tigers, looking radiant and energetic, with the momentum of sweeping all over the world and Liuhe.

Everyone still went forward to salute, and after the salute, Liang Shicheng still said, "Everyone has something to play, and there is nothing to leave the court".

As soon as the opening remark came out, His Highness became lively.

Just listen to Wang Fu taking the lead: "I have something to play!"

Liang Shicheng looked at Zhao Ji and said, "Jiangming, please tell me!"

Wang Fu cleared his throat and said in a loud voice: "In the Song Dynasty, we exchanged credentials with the Jurchens more than half a year ago, reached an alliance, and agreed to break the Liao Dynasty. Now the Jurchens are as powerful as a bamboo, and they even conquered the land of Liao. Now they have captured Shangjing. A few days ago, the Jurchens The real person sent envoys here, urging our Great Song Dynasty to send out troops quickly, to attack the north and south, defeat the Liao Dynasty in one fell swoop, to avenge the shame of our Great Song Dynasty for a hundred years, and to restore Youyun sixteen prefectures, please let the officials show you."

Zhao Ji nodded and said: "I also want you to discuss this matter today. According to Jiang Ming's opinion, who can lead the battle?"

Wang Fu said anxiously: "I asked the Taishi, the Duke of Chu, and the privy envoy Tong Daofu to be the commander, and lead the army to conquer Liao. Tong Daofu has been in charge of the border for 20 years, and he has shocked the Western Qiang. No one can match, if you take command this time and go out to fight, you will surely succeed in no time!"

Zhao Ji's words were just a formality, everyone knew that Tong Guan's command was a certainty, and no one could shake this point.

Zhao Ji looked serious, and said loudly: "Tong Daofu, do you dare to take this job?"

Tong Guan came out solemnly, and bowed to Zhao Ji: "The government has a decree, how dare the humble minister not follow it!"

Zhao Ji laughed loudly: "Very well, I will order you to be the envoy of Xuanfu, lead an army of [-], conquer the Liao people in the north, recover the sixteen prefectures of Youyun, strengthen me and the great power of the Song Dynasty, and a hundred years of shame!"

Tong Guan looked dignified, and said with emotion: "I will fulfill my mission!"

Zhao Ji asked again, "Who is in charge?"

Dutongzhi was a military attache with a temporary nature set up in the late Northern Song Dynasty in order to unify the command of the various armies going out. It was revoked after the battle was over. It was equivalent to the post of commander-in-chief of the campaign, but it was controlled by the commander-in-chief.

Tong Guan said anxiously: "My minister recommends Liu Yanqing, the general manager of Yanyan Road and the deputy commander of Ma Jun."

Zhao Hao was listening intently from the sidelines, and became anxious when he heard the word Liu Yanqing.You must know that Tong Guan's conquest of the Liao capital in history was a kind of teacher's way, and it failed because of Tong Guan's blind command, coupled with the limitations of the kind of teacher's own command, it was a complete defeat. No need to fight, just surrender.

His original plan was based on the lessons learned from the failure of the historical conquest of the Liao Dynasty. fail.

Now hearing that Tong Guan actually recommended Liu Yanqing, he couldn't help being anxious, he rushed out suddenly, and said loudly: "No, everyone is in command, you have to be a Taiwei!"

When Tong Guan saw that it was Zhao Hao, he softened three points at the moment, he didn't dare to argue, he immediately responded: "Taiwei Zhong has made great military exploits and is proficient in the art of war, so he is also qualified for this position."

Wang Fu, who was on the side, was about to refute Zhao Hao, but when he heard what Tong Guan said, he gritted his teeth angrily, but there was nothing he could do.

Although Zhao Ji didn't know anything about war, he didn't have a clue in his heart. Even if Zhao Hao didn't jump out, he was in command. , nodded and said: "Okay, then appoint Uncle Zhong Yi as the governor of the capital."

As soon as the words fell, a voice came from the front of the ranks of officials: "Taiwei Zhong is old and can be the deputy commander, not the master!"

This voice is very familiar to all officials, even more familiar than Zhao Ji's voice. This person is Cai Jing, the husband who has been in power and has controlled the government for decades.

Cai Jing walked unhurriedly to the center of the main hall, and said loudly: "The old minister is only four years older than Taiwei Zhong. Although he is pampered and treated well, he often feels physically and mentally exhausted. However, Taiwei Zhong is very old, and he travels in the army and sleeps in the open air." , the carriages and horses are jolting, exhausting the mind and the mind, it is bound to be difficult to maintain a strong state of energy, and the matter of conquering Liao is so important that there must be no mistakes, otherwise it will be a disaster that will destroy the country. The art of war can be used as a deputy commander, assisting the capital commander and proclaiming the commander in battle, but it cannot be the master!"

Seeing that Cai Jing despised him, Zhong Shidao came out angrily, and said loudly: "Who is to ask, Lian Po is old, can he still eat? Although Chong is old, he can still ride a fast horse and drive a two-stone bow!"

Cai Jing didn't argue, but just smiled lightly and said, "I recommend one person, who is qualified for the position of governor!"

Zhao Hao said coldly: "Among the courts, who else is more qualified for this position than Taiwei Zhong?"

Cai Jing laughed, pointed at Zhao Hao and said, "This person is far away in the sky, but close in front of us, he is your Duke of Longde!"

What?

Zhao Hao was instantly confused.

It wasn't just Zhao Hao, the civil and military forces of the entire court were in an uproar.

Even Zhao Ji, who was sitting on the dragon chair, was shocked.

After all, this is a war that will destroy the country, no more than a small fight to suppress the Liangshan rebellion.

The rebellion of bandits in Pingliang Mountain was only more than 1 soldiers and horses, which had nothing to do with the overall situation, but this time it was a [-] forbidden army, almost half of the elite troops of the Song Dynasty.

Since Emperor Taizong Zhao Guangyi, no clan has commanded so many elite troops.

(End of this chapter)