Northern Song Dynasty gangster: Start the game with a dog's head, and Mr. Bao spares his life

Since the Empress Dowager made the decree, although Cao Bin was a little reluctant, it was not easy to refuse, and he still had to give this bit of face.

Follow the messengers to the quiet side hall, where paper, pens and paints have been prepared,

Seeing Zhao Ji following in with a smile on his face, he understood something.

Zhao Ji is the only one who can never forget his paintings and calligraphy, and it's not like this guy hasn't sent someone to ask for it in private.

It's just that Cao Bin's asking price is too high, and he is unwilling to pay.

According to the price of a pair of 1 taels, even if he has a golden mountain, it won't last long.

"Thousand Crane Picture, this is going to exhaust me to death!"

Cao Bin was very depressed when he heard Empress Dowager Liu's request. Although he painted quickly, it was a very labor-intensive task to draw a thousand cranes.

If Zhao Ji came to buy it, if he didn't sell him for 10 taels of silver, he would be sorry for his fatigue.

Cao Bin rolled his eyes and suddenly had an idea, so he picked up the brush and started to draw.

After a while, a mountain range with green pines and auspicious clouds were drawn.

Zhao Ji was standing in front of the book case, seeing him put down his brush, he said doubtfully:

"Cao Bin, why don't you draw anymore? Where are the cranes?"

Cao Bin pointed to the auspicious clouds in the mountains and said:

"Isn't it? It's all in the clouds. His Highness Duan Wang has a closer look, are there any wings and claws exposed?"

Zhao Ji said speechlessly: "You're fooling the ghost...... What kind of picture is this called a Thousand Cranes?"

At this time, the Goryeo envoy and several ministers who were interested in calligraphy and painting also followed in. He looked at Qianhe Picture and said:

"It's wonderful, it's really wonderful, even though you don't see the cranes, it's like hearing the cranes chirping!"

"Uncle Cao, can you draw a picture for foreign ministers, so that I can always admire the Danqing culture of the great country?"

Zhao Ji is speechless, even if you want to flatter, you have to be realistic. Although his mountain pine painting is very good, he just can't see the crane.

Moreover, what I want is cranes in various poses and with different expressions to be used as a reference for imitation, not just for their meaning.

Seeing Zhao Ji scratching his ears and cheeks anxiously, Cao Bin couldn't help smiling, and finally drew a standing crane under the pine tree.

Seeing Cao Bin stop again, Zhao Ji grabbed the paint and urged:

"Cao Bin, draw quickly, I will grind ink for you personally."

Cao Bin saw that there was no one else in the side hall except for a few calligraphy-loving ministers and Korean envoys, so he immediately had an excuse:

"His Royal Highness Duan, have you recently recommended someone to go to Dengzhou to take up the post?"

Zhao Ji didn't think too much, nodded and said:

"It was recommended by Chen Shimei..."

An hour later.

Chen Shimei was stunned.

His face was ugly, and he didn't expect Zhao Ji to agree to help by giving up [-]% of the income from the construction camp.

He changed his mind because of a painting.

Moreover, Zhao Ji had no intention of returning the money he had given away.

Damn it, is this too immoral?

But it’s just a painting, is it that good?

Cao Bin not only got Zhao Ji's concession, but also used another painting, and earned 5 taels from the Goryeo envoy.

At this time, he was both envious and hated...

After the New Year's Eve, all the affairs of the court revolved around Xixia.

Xixia is self-reliant in this dynasty. Although Song Dynasty has been forbearing, it has no choice.

Yuan Hao's astonishing combat power and the court's huge military expenditure made the emperor tremble with fear, so he had to make peace temporarily.

Now that Yuan Hao is dead, the civil strife is over, the wealth has begun to rise, and Xixia is ruled by orphans and widows.

If you miss this god-given opportunity, you don't know how long you will have to wait until you see it.

Therefore, on the issue of pacifying the Northwest, there was basically no opposition from the court.

Originally, the emperor himself was still a little hesitant, but the New Deal faction was about to boost their prestige with a big victory, and tried their best to persuade him to send troops.

So this decision was finalized in the emperor's uneasy mood.

On the fifth day of the lunar new year, the envoys from various countries were sent away, and after the Lantern Festival, the court began to prepare quietly.

Just after the spring plowing, all the troops will attack Xia.

As for Cao Bin, Zhang Dun's matter was resolved smoothly, and Chang Qinglian also left with the mission.

The appointment of the imperial court has not yet been issued, so he can just enjoy a peaceful time.

On the third day of February, the waking of insects.

The residence of Princess Zhaoyang.

Chen Shimei was lying on the bed flipping through an idle book.

At this time, the princess came in angrily, threw the account book in his face, and asked:

"Chen Shimei, what are you doing? Why is the income of the construction camp so much less?"

Chen Shimei's eyes wandered for a moment, and she argued:

"Princess, if you want to expand your business, you always need the help of friends."

"Can't just let others pay, but not pay dividends?"

In fact, he was suffering and couldn't tell, although Zhao Ji didn't do anything for him, but in terms of income, he was not polite at all, and directly took [-]% more.

It's just that he didn't dare to say it.

Not only because of the conflict between Cao Bin and Zhao Ji, but also because of his own purpose of asking Zhao Ji for help.

He transferred his fellow brother Qi to Dengzhou in order to solve the hidden dangers in his hometown, comfort his parents, wives and children, and force his original wife to remarry.

If the real situation is exposed, he is likely to be convicted of deceiving the emperor.

Princess Zhaoyang didn't know what he was thinking, she didn't care about the money, she just thought that Chen Shimei had secretly raised the outer room.

So almond eyes widened and said angrily:

"You're talking nonsense, the money of those cronies of yours is not worth it at all!"

"Tell me! Where did your money go?"

Chen Shimei cursed secretly, isn't your brother shameless?

Unable to explain where the money went, he could only vaguely say:

"Princess, don't worry about it. I have my own use. I don't want a penny in the future, can't I?"

Princess Zhaoyang said angrily: "No, today you have to make it clear!"

Seeing Princess Zhaoyang's reluctance, Chen Shimei couldn't help but get angry, and said with a sneer:

"Is the princess in a hurry to sell to Cao Bin? He's not a son-in-law yet."

"Don't worry, Cao Bin's money will not be lost, why should the princess be so nervous?"

He was also forced into a corner, so he had no choice but to turn to the guest, interrupt Princess Zhaoyang first, and then change the subject.

Hearing this, Princess Zhaoyang was stunned for a moment, her pretty face turned pale, and she was almost speechless:

"You...you are talking nonsense, you are not clean, but you actually beat me back and slandered my innocence."

"Get up, tell me clearly in front of the queen..."

As he said that, he was going to pull up Chen Shimei who was lying on the bed.

Seeing that she was showing a little timidity, Chen Shimei became more courageous, pushed her away, stood up, and said:

"Hmph, I know exactly what happened between you and Cao Bin in the barracks, even if I go to see the official family, I'm not afraid..."

After speaking, he lifted his foot and walked out.

At this moment, he was extremely envious of the son-in-law Wang Shen, who took in seven or eight concubines in a row, and the princess of the Shu Kingdom did not dare to say anything.

The children of the royal family are also bullying and fearing the hard. The king is like this, and so is the princess of Shu. When they meet people like Cao Bin and Wang Shen, they shrink back.

Thinking of this, he walked faster.

Princess Zhaoyang had tears in her beautiful eyes, seeing him leave resolutely, her heart was even more angry.

Gritting her teeth, she said, "What a heartless Chen Shimei! Since you said that, I will show you!"

Zhongjing Houfu.

Cao Bin is receiving the imperial decree, and the imperial court will send five armies to attack Xia in mid-March.

He was appointed as the commander of the capital of the Fuyan Army, under Zhong Shiheng's deputy, and led a total of 5000 troops to attack Mizhi.

After receiving the imperial decree, Cao Bin asked the decree official in a daze:

"Who restrained me after I set off on the expedition? Why was the imperial decree not appointing the Commander-in-Chief of Faxia?"

Since the attack on Xia is going to be divided into five groups, there should also be a commander in chief, and we can't fight each other separately.

The official of the Political Affairs Hall shook his head and smiled wryly:

"The imperial court originally wanted to appoint Grand Master Pan as commander in chief, but Grand Master She has already stated that he will never serve as a general under his command."

"The female generals of the Yang family are the main force in attacking Xia this time. The imperial court has no choice but to choose other talents, and the officials are also hesitant."

Cao Bin couldn't help but be speechless when he heard the words. There was going to be a war soon, and he couldn't choose a coach.

In his mind, for such a major military operation, the title of commander would definitely fall on the head of civil servants, and the possibility of generals was very small.

This is the custom of the court...

After sending off the messenger, Shi Qian suddenly came to report:

"Uncle, Chen Shimei's wife and children are going to the capital soon, and they are under the covert protection of their brothers, so everything will be safe."

When Cao Bin heard this, he immediately laughed:

"Okay, it's just the right time, let's get this matter done before the expedition!"

Seeing Cao Bin happy, Shi Qian also laughed and continued to report:

"Uncle, we have already investigated Chen Shimei's secret account."

"Concubine Wang Shen, Prince Duan Zhao Ji, and Cai Jing secretly invested money in him."

"Cai Jing, Zhao Ji, and Chen Shimei each accounted for [-]% of the proceeds, and Wang Shen accounted for [-]%."

Cao Bin pondered for a moment and said:

"The net will be collected soon, and we have to give them some heavy bait!"

As he spoke, he called a servant over and said:

"You send a letter to Princess Zhaoyang, saying that the Lord wants to expand the construction business and is willing to give up all the proceeds within one year..."

Cai Jing's mansion.

He was lying on the desk, carefully writing the letter.

After a long while, after checking everything was correct, he called over and said:

"Give this letter to the Shaanxi Road Transit Envoy, and make sure he holds on to Cao Bin's supplies."

After his cronies left, he turned his head to look at Zhu Mian behind him and said:

"Master Zhu, what do you think of this old man's plan?"

Zhu Fang gave a thumbs up and said:

"It's wonderful, you can give him fifteen days of military rations first, and when he goes deep into Xixia, and then find a reason to cut off his rations, he will have nowhere to go..."

Song Dynasty has always been worried about the generals who lead troops abroad, so the logistics are not directly in charge of the army, but in the hands of local officials.