Fu Song

Chapter 43

Zheng Xiong and Xiao Ding walked side by side.

This morning, the two had just sent off Cui Ang, the new appeasement envoy of Hebei Road.

Now, Xiao Ding will also continue his journey.

Zheng Xiong insisted on sending each other off, but Xiao Ding was a little surprised.

The two were not familiar with each other, let alone interacting with each other. Zheng Xiong's performance seemed a bit abrupt.

However, Xiao Ding could not refuse the kindness of others.

"Changqing made Privy Cui unhappy yesterday?" Zheng Xiong asked with a smile while riding on the horse.

Xiao Ding hesitated for a moment, but still said: "The secretariat asked about the Northern Border, but I'm just telling the truth."

"Cui Shumi is now looking forward to going to Hebei Road to do a great job and make great achievements. Changqing, you must be pouring a basin of cold water down. It's no wonder that Cui Shumi is so cold to you today!" Zheng Xiong looked at with a smile. Xiao Ding said, "You still have to work under Shumi Cui in the future, I'm afraid some will suffer."

Xiao Ding sighed: "I'm afraid that Shumi Cui is too eager. It's not easy for Northern Xinjiang to have the current stability. If you're not careful, it's very easy to fall short."

Hearing what Xiao Ding said, Zheng Xiong was a little surprised: "I always thought that a military general like Changqing, and a military general with meritorious deeds, must be looking forward to a big fight between the two sides in order to gain merits from it? "

"Who doesn't want to be able to make meritorious deeds? It's not easy for military generals like us to rise up during the Taiping Festival." Xiao Ding said: "But fighting the Liao Kingdom is definitely not something that can be ignored, a bad one. I will mislead the country and the people. No matter how enthusiastic I am, I still don’t dare to risk the safety of my officers and the people of the borderlands.”

"Changqing thinks we have no chance of winning now?" Zheng Xiong asked.

Xiao Ding nodded: "Yes, His Royal Highness King Jing has laid a solid foundation over the past few years. If this term of appeasement can make you calm down, on the basis of His Royal Highness King Jing, you can do seven, eight, and ten steps down to the ground. Years, then there is great hope.”

"Ten years together, hehe, I'm afraid Shumi Cui can't wait, he's almost sixty." Zheng Xiong said sarcastically. "He can't wait to fight against the Liao Kingdom soon, take back Youyan, and make a name for Qingshi. The Fuyouyan who was left by the Taizu back then can be named king. This is Zhang's absolutely tempting pie."

"The Liao Kingdom has a million armors, and its territory is wider than that of the Great Song Dynasty. If you want to attack Liao, you need to plan carefully from the national level. How can Hebei be able to do it all the way!" Xiao Ding said: "Either don't fight, or It is a national war, otherwise, it is self-inflicted humiliation!"

"Didn't it say that the Liao Dynasty was in constant strife? Is there a rebellion here, or a riot there?" Zheng Xiong asked curiously.

"This is true, but the Liao Kingdom is like this, and they are used to it. The territory is too wide, and it is difficult for interests to reconcile. When Xiao Ding said this, he lowered his voice slightly and said, "This is the same as our emperor and Song Dynasty. Such civil strife will not affect the foundation of the imperial court at all."

Zheng Xiong laughed dumbly, "After Changqing returns to Beijing, he still finds a way to reconcile his relationship with Shumi Cui and let Xiao Jixiang come forward. You are not pleasing to the eye, although I dare not do anything to you, but this day is hard to bear. Also, after you go back this time, you will have to face the Holy Spirit. If the official asks you, you don't have to say something. It must be as detailed as it is when facing Shumi Xiao. Sometimes, you may be more courageous and reckless, which may be a better choice.”

Xiao Ding looked at Zheng Xiong, a little confused and a little surprised. Zheng Xiong is a typical conversationalist.

Especially when it comes to the face of the saint, this is a secret message to tell yourself not to tell the truth in front of the official family.

I haven't heard that Zheng Xiong has friendship with his family!
But there is no doubt that Zheng Xiong is good for himself.

Xiao Ding felt this clearly.

"Thank you Zhizhou for your suggestion!" Xiao Ding clenched his fists as a salute.

"Changqing is so young, and he will have a long life in the future. The road to officialdom is extremely dangerous, and it is the best policy to be careful every step of the way." Zheng Xiong folded his fist and returned the salute: "The journey is smooth, and Zheng will be sent here."

Seeing Xiao Ding and his party disappearing from sight, Zheng Xiong turned the horse's head in circles and walked back slowly.

"Zhizhou?" A staff member who accompanied him couldn't help but asked directly.

"Chang Ming thinks that I have spoken too much and said too much?" Zheng Xiong, however, saw through what the other party was thinking, and asked directly.

"Exactly!" The staff was a little puzzled: "This doesn't look like Zhizhou's work style?"

"In the past, I received a kindness from Shumi Xiao. Afterwards, Shumi Xiao never said anything to outsiders." Zheng Xiong said: "And this matter has a lot to do with me. Shumi Xiao is a noble person who forgets things a lot. As for me, but unforgettable."

The staff suddenly realized: "So Zhizhou still has this relationship with the Xiao family?"

"At the beginning, Zheng was only a mustard petty official, and Xiao Shumi probably couldn't remember it long ago. It seems that Xiao Changqing doesn't know either." Zheng Xiong said with a smile. "I'm a little worried that Xiao Changqing is young and doesn't understand what Cui Shumi has in mind, so I want to remind him, I didn't expect this person to be clear."

"Since it is clear, why do you have to disobey Cui Shumi's mind?" The staff shook his head and said, "This is not what a wise man did."

"This Xiao Changqing's temperament is somewhat similar to that of Xiao Shumi back then." Zheng Xiong said thoughtfully.

"But the current situation is not like it was back then. Xiao Changqing is so temperamental, I'm afraid that he will suffer." The aide said with disapproval. "Xiao Jixiang is also a little sullen and rushing forward."

Zheng Xiong agreed, "You can only do your best and obey the destiny. If you have a chance, if you can help me, I'm worthy of my heart. I'm afraid this Xiao Changqing is not easy to listen to people's persuasion. But after listening to his words , I have no hope at all for Shumi Cui's trip."

"As Xiao Changqing said, Cui Shumi's trip might be bad!" the staff said worriedly. "A bad incident on Hebei Road will shake the world."

"This is not something I can worry about as a small prefect of Huazhou." Zheng Xiong said, "Just do your own thing well. For such a big matter, let the big guys in the court worry about it!"

Xiao Ding went all the way to Kaifeng, and Zheng Xiong returned to his prefecture to live his peaceful days. At the same time, Cui Ang, who was crossing the river, frowned, leaning against the window and watching the river water splashing on the side of the boat. The waves are thoughtful.

"This Xiao Ding, can't stay!" Suddenly, Cui Ang said.

These words shocked Cui Jin on the side.

"My lord, this Xiao Changqing is in control, and he is the eldest son of Xiao Jixiang, the son-in-law of the Gao family, and the grandson of the Han family in Xinyang. How can he be easily moved!"

Cui Ang rolled his eyes and glanced at Cui Jin: "Where do you want to go? I said I can't keep him, do you think I'm going to kill him?"

To appease the envoy all the way, it is not difficult to kill a commander-level general. There were many such things in the past!It's just that Xiao Ding's background is deeper.

Cui Jin breathed a sigh of relief.

After his father had a long talk with Xiao Changqing yesterday, his mood was a little wrong. Obviously, Xiao Changqing's response was not to his father's taste, but he didn't want his father to kill Xiao Changqing because of this. Anyway, he was also a childhood playmate.

"What does father mean?"

"Of course Xiao Ding can't be killed, but Hebei Road, he can't be kept. After I officially take office, I'll find a way to get him away!" Cui Ang said.

"Xiao Ding is the No. [-] general in northern Xinjiang. Wouldn't it be a pity that such a brave general could not be kept for his own use?" Cui Jin said.

Cui Ang sneered: "How many brave generals in the world? I don't know how many people are better than Zhu Xiaoding, but they don't have the opportunity, if they don't appreciate it, they can only suffer through the years. Do you really think something is wrong? Is it impossible to do things without someone? There are thousands of people in the Song Dynasty, and there are countless people who are brave and resourceful. Although Xiao Ding is brave, but since he is not in the same mind as a father, the greater the ability, the greater the harm. bigger."

"If it wasn't for this person who couldn't be killed easily, I would really use him to gain power."

Cui Jin wiped the cold sweat from his head. It turned out that his father had really thought about it.

It is not uncommon for a new official to take office and kill someone to stand up.

"But my lord, in a hurry, where can you find a general who can be as strong as Mei Xiaoding?"

Cui Ang snorted: "Your father is a member of the Privy Council and is in charge of the world's military affairs. How can there be no one in the bag? The talents of these people are not inferior to Xiao Changqing. I want to win over Xiao Changqing, just because he is Xiao Yu's son, the grandson of the Han family in Xinyang is nothing more than a grandson. Since he is ignorant, he should be pulled from a distance and replaced by someone I trust, and he can only follow my people wholeheartedly to do things."

"The Guangrui Army led by Xiao Changqing is a strong force."

"I can't keep it." Cui Ang said: "At the banquet yesterday, the people from the Golden Spear class were sitting at the same table as those from Xiao Ding. What difference can you see?"

Cui Jin thought for a while and said, "It seems that Changqing's subordinates are more gentle."

"Some are long-term residents of Bianliang, and some are just buns on the frontier. But in the face of food and wine, the people who live in Bianliang for a long time have lost their appearance. Speaking of which, I feel ashamed for the official family." Cui Ang snorted. "These Northland soldiers are so gentle, I invite them to drink a glass of wine. They have to take a look at Xiao Ding. Xiao Ding nodded before drinking. You say, I can keep such soldiers? I dare to keep?"

"The people who take him with him are naturally confidants!"

"Wrong, those generals who stayed in Tianmen Village are the people Xiao Ding really trusts! Otherwise, why would they dare to trust each other!" Cui Ang said. "Apart from this matter, today, I will give gold to those sergeants. Do you think they accepted them readily?"

Cui Jin thought about it for a while, "It seems that after Xiao Changqing spoke, those people thanked you."

"Xiao Changqing has completely accepted the heart of Guang Ruijun. Since I want to get Xiao Ding away, then Guang Ruijun, might as well be a favored man and let him take it with him! In this way, it can be regarded as a gift. Xiao Yu's face, whether Xinyang Han or Bianliang Gao, everyone can meet again in the future." Cui Ang said. "If you completely replace Tianmenzhai with our people, you can rest assured."

(End of this chapter)