Physician of the Song Dynasty: Zhang Kai and Li Qingzhao have a private life-long contract

"I am back!"

At the west gate of Kaifeng, a team of horses returned after a long journey.

Looking at the city of Kaifeng where he had just left, Fan Zheng felt like he was suddenly separated from the rest of the world.

Although it was less than two months between Fan Zheng's expedition and his return, Fan Zheng was deeply moved by the gap between the Song and Xia front lines, where the war was fierce, and the peaceful singing and dancing in Bianjing.

Kaifeng City is able to achieve its current prosperity and prosperity because of the heavy-duty efforts of the frontline soldiers.

Fan Zheng entered Kaifeng City and went straight to the palace.

"Fan Zheng, a humble minister, has paid a visit to the official family. Fortunately, this trip is worthy of his honor!"

In the Chui Gong Hall, Fan Zhengzheng repeated his orders.

Seeing Fan Zheng return safely, Zhao Xu beamed with joy.

"Okay! Fan Aiqing restored the prestige of the Song Dynasty. I was indeed right."

Although Pingxia City's victory made him ecstatic, Fan Zheng's safe return also made him breathe a sigh of relief.

"Thank you for your hard work, Fan Taicheng!"

All the officials also congratulated Fan Zheng for risking his life and preparing to build Pingxia City to resist the Xixia army. No one can take away his achievements.

Fan Zheng shook his head and said: "Weak ministers dare not take credit! Only with the strength of the whole country of the Song Dynasty can we win the victory over Pingxia City, and humble ministers only use their meager efforts."

It is true that Pingxia City has his own plans, but whether it is the civilians who built Pingxia City, the blacksmiths in various cities who made the shells of thunder, or the soldiers who defended the city fighting to the death, he just led the imperial army along the way. He also rescued some wounded people in Pingxia City without even firing an arrow.

All the officials couldn't help but sigh. The Song Dynasty had no shortage of civilians, gunpowder, blacksmiths, and soldiers. Who would have thought that a small Pingxia City could actually find a way for the Song Dynasty to resist Liaoxia.

Many officials stared at Fan Zheng with complicated eyes. Fan Zheng once again proved that his evil side has never failed.

Zhao Xu was so excited that he remembered the serious matter of recalling Fan Zheng.

"Fan Aiqing, this time Pingxia City defeated Xixia, but the Liao Kingdom took the opportunity to mediate! I wonder what you think?" Zhao Xu said solemnly.

Fan Zheng frowned and said: "Let me tell the officials, the Liao Kingdom must not have good intentions in mediating, and even took advantage of the mediation to intimidate the Song Dynasty."

Zhao Xu said helplessly: "Of course I know that the Liao Kingdom is uneasy and well-intentioned. However, the Song Dynasty has been fighting for years, and the frontline needs a lot of money to convert the fortress into a fortress. The treasury has long been empty."

If you are not a householder, you don't know that firewood, rice, oil and salt are expensive. During the reign of Empress Dowager Gao, it seemed that peace was achieved through singing and dancing, but in fact she was just spending money to buy peace and whitewash it.

The household department suffered a serious deficit, leaving him with a mess.

Now he also wants to continue to be tough, but unfortunately it is difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without rice. Once the Liao and Xia attack together, the Song Dynasty may not be able to resist it.

Fan Zheng nodded and said, "I wonder how the imperial court wants to negotiate peace?"

Lu Dafang said solemnly: "At least Xixia's annual currency must be abolished and the Liao Kingdom maintain the status quo. In this way, the officials can explain to the world and appease the Liao Kingdom."

Fan Zheng raised his head suddenly, unable to believe that the imperial court had the attitude of surrendering to the Liao Kingdom.

"No! The Sui coins must be abolished. If even this cannot be done, the Song Dynasty will only die day by day!" Fan Zheng objected categorically.

As long as a person's bottom line is exceeded once, it will be broken countless times until he completely sinks! He had finally established the character of the Song Dynasty, how could he let the Song Dynasty sink to its knees again?

Zhang Dun explained on the side: "Master Fan has been on the expedition for two months, but he doesn't know anything. According to the detailed reports from the Liao Kingdom, the Liao Emperor has begun to gather 200,000 cavalry because of the Song Dynasty's cut off of annual coins. I'm afraid he has the intention to go south."

"Is there any change in the Liao Kingdom?" Fan Zheng frowned.

The officials of the Song Dynasty couldn't help but nodded. Once Liao and Xia attacked at the same time, the Song Dynasty might be in danger.

"Now that the officials are reviving the Song Dynasty, it only takes time. The Song Dynasty will be strong and strong, and it will definitely not be afraid of the Liao Kingdom. It is logical to abolish the Liao Kingdom's annual currency." Su Zhe also agreed.

For a while, everyone in the court agreed to a temporary compromise with the Liao Kingdom.

Zhao Xu suddenly frowned and fell into the battle between heaven and man.

Lu Dafang advised: "The officials should think twice. When the Turkic army invaded the country, Tang Taizong also bribed the Turkic Khans with heavy sums of money and signed the Weishui Alliance. This was an expedient measure. In the future, the officials would revitalize the Song Dynasty and follow the example of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. Former shame is a good story.

Fan Zheng sneered and said: "At that time, when Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, the Turks had already invaded Chang'an, and now the Liao Kingdom is still dispatching troops and generals, we are already preparing to offer gold and silver for peace talks. We are so afraid of Liao as a tiger, let alone three years. Even if it takes thirty years, we can’t even think of defeating the Liao Kingdom.”

"There is no natural danger on the Song-Liao border to defend. Once the Liao army goes south, even if there are forts to defend the cities, the people of the Song Dynasty will definitely be devastated. This battle will not be good for the Song Dynasty." Zhang Dun also said solemnly.

Seeing this, Fan Zheng frowned and said, "I have a side, which can abolish Liao and Xia's annual coins and alienate Liao and Xia."

"Is this true?"

Zhao Xu said in surprise.

Fan Zheng nodded solemnly and said: "Do you know about the Silk Road?"

"Silk Road?" Manchao nodded to the minister.

They are people who have read poetry and books, and naturally know about the famous Silk Road in the Han and Tang Dynasties. However, the Song Dynasty and Xixia occupied the land of Longyou, and the trade between China and the West was cut off. The Silk Road has long existed in name only. "

"No, Xixia only cut off the Silk Road of the Song Dynasty, and the Liao Kingdom, which dominates the north and has a vast territory, can also lead to the Western Regions. Fan asked Princess Yelu to find the roundworm seeds from the countries in the Western Regions." right way.

"You mean the Song and Liao countries jointly opened up the Silk Road?" Zhao Xu said suddenly.

"Yes, the profits from the Silk Road are more than one million guan every year, which is much higher than the annual currency of the Liao Kingdom. If the Liao Kingdom only seeks wealth, the profits from the Silk Road are enough to make it excited. If the Liao Kingdom insists on going south, it means that its If the Song Dynasty is still determined to destroy the Song Dynasty, the whole country will definitely resist. Not only will the profits from the Silk Road be wiped out, but our army has thunderbolts and divine arm crossbows, and the outcome of this battle is unknown." Fan Zheng said solemnly.

"Wonderful!" Zhao Xu clapped his hands and exclaimed. The Song Dynasty could not enjoy the benefits of the Silk Road, but it had the ability to flip the table.

If there was peace between Song and Liao, the benefits of the Silk Road would naturally be shared. If the Liao invaded, not only would the outcome be unknown, but the benefits of the Silk Road would also be wiped out.

Fan Zheng continued: "At the same time, the Song Dynasty will close the Song-Xia market and transfer all the Silk Road shares of Xixia to the Liao State. It will be tough on the Xia military for military training and economic exchanges with the Liao to increase ties and alienate the Liao and Xia. , Only in this way can the Song Dynasty get a chance to breathe and become stronger day by day."

After Fan Zheng finished speaking, all the officials in the court couldn't help but think.

"You can try this method." Zhang Dun nodded slightly.

Lu Dafang also nodded slightly. This method not only allowed the Song Dynasty to abolish the annual currency and save money, but also allowed the Liao Kingdom to gain more benefits from the Silk Road. This was a win-win situation. Of course, the only one who suffered was Xixia, which the Song Dynasty was naturally happy to see. If it succeeds, the Liao Kingdom will probably not distribute the benefits it has obtained to Xixia.

"According to the decree, Fan Zheng, the Imperial Physician, has been promoted to the fifth rank and appointed as the Prime Minister of Honglu Temple. He will be responsible for the peace talks between Liao and Xia." Zhao Xu immediately ordered.

Fan Zheng rose from being a seventh-rank imperial physician to a fifth-rank official in less than a year, which was more than the twenty years of hard work for most officials.

However, none of the officials in the Manchu Dynasty disagreed. The seventh-rank imperial physician to the sixth-rank imperial physician Cheng were due to Fan Zheng's superb medical skills, and the sixth-rank to fifth-rank imperial doctors were the result of Pingxia City.

Fan Zheng's contribution is worthy of such generous treatment.