Fu Song

Chapter 692

A section of reef protrudes far into the river water. Because of the topography, here, it happens to form a backwater bay, which becomes a good place for fishing.

At this moment, there were two people sitting cross-legged on the top of the reef, each with a pole, and they were concentrating on the red buoy floating on the river.

The two of them seemed to be dressed normally, but if someone recognized them, they would definitely exclaim.

One is Xiao Cheng, the chief assistant of Song Dynasty today, and the other is Luo Gang, governor of Yunnan and Guizhou.

"Yes!" Luo Gang yanked the fishing rod happily, and a fish flew up into the air along with the fishing line, and the water droplets that fell out were reflected in a rainbow under the sunlight.

Looking at the fish that fell on the rock, Xiao Cheng couldn't help laughing: "It's another dead skin! Yuting, Yuting, look at you, what kind of personality is this!"

Luo Gang's face darkened, and he took the dead skin off the hook, threw it into a wooden barrel beside him, and said, "Even the dead skin is better than fishing for so long and getting nothing. Wait." At noon, these dead skins are dragged in the oil pan for a while, and they can still be served with wine."

"If I don't make a song, I'm done. If I make a blockbuster, you just watch!" Xiao Cheng laughed.

"I was just about to read a joke!" Luo Gang said, "You have been impatient with fishing since you were a child. It's been so many years, and you haven't seen any improvement in fishing. I think you still want to eat my dead skin at noon!"

After reloading the bait and throwing the hook into the water, Luo Gang inserted the fishing rod to the side, took out one side of the skin, took a sip of water, and handed it to Xiao Cheng: "This time Lu Wenhuan is so bold to throw his hand Stretched out, it seems that there are more people behind him supporting him, are you ready to respond?"

Xiao Cheng took a sip of the water bag and said with a smile: "Lu Wenhuan is not as complicated as you think. Moreover, what he said is reasonable from a military point of view. If Jingxiang and Jianghuai can form a large war zone, Being able to use the Yangtze River as a chain, share resources, and deploy them in a unified manner can indeed play a greater role."

"But from a political point of view?" Luo Gang said: "Can it be regarded as a wonderful attack launched by some people against you? You don't have to do this. Lu Wenhuan is above the military itself. With a certain appeal, if you let him serve as the commander-in-chief of two theaters, then your reputation in the army will inevitably be greatly reduced, which is what some people want to see most."

"But in this way, it will be the most beneficial for the resistance of the entire Liao Kingdom's Southern Expedition!" Xiao Cheng said. "Yuting, the Liao Kingdom's attack this time, if you don't launch it, it will be fine. Once it is launched, it will inevitably be like a storm. The first wave is the hardest to withstand. So at this time, we must put aside some unnecessary things and try our best first. Let’s go through this wave with all our strength.”

"If Lu Wenhuan commanded the army to survive this wave, his reputation will surely be at the peak of the sky!" Luo Gang snorted coldly: "The general public only sees who is commanding this war, but they will never see it. There are people behind the battle to support the front line who have done countless jobs without sleep."

Xiao Cheng laughed loudly: "Why do these words sound sour? What's the matter, are you not happy to let you do a good job in the rear in Yungui?"

"Don't gossip about him, you know what I'm talking about!" Luo Gang snorted.

"You, don't worry about it for me!" Xiao Cheng smiled and said: "Just concentrate on doing your job well, Yungui, Guangdong and Guangxi, this is our retreat just in case, what will happen then? No, we still have such a large piece of land to retreat, we can make a comeback."

"So, you have decided to let Lu Wenhuan serve as the commander-in-chief of the two theaters as the minister of the Ministry of War?"

"Yes!"

"Even if Lu Wenhuan will be in Huaidong, Huaixi, Jingxiang and other places in the future, he will put forward some personnel requests!" Luo Gang said: "Aside from Lu Duan and Shi Congming, who else will be asked by him?" If you reuse it, you can see who is behind this matter this time."

"It has to be said that these people still have quite a strategic vision." Xiao Cheng smiled and said: "I can see the benefits of connecting the two major regions of Jingxiang and Jianghuai, so we have never been short of talents in Song Dynasty. What is lacking is the spirit of being able to let go of all selfishness and distracting thoughts and serve the public wholeheartedly."

"You do, but others are plotting against you!" Luo Gang said angrily.

"It's nothing!" Xiao Cheng said: "From the very beginning, aren't we trying to build a court where everyone has the final say and everyone discusses it? From the very beginning of the Chamber of Commerce to the current pre-court resolution, Isn’t it a great improvement to discuss and vote on national affairs on the bright side? We have never been the only ones who have the final say!”

"This is because you are on the stage. If one day you step off the stage, do you think this kind of deliberation can continue?"

"Why can't it go on?" Xiao Cheng spread his hands and said, "Decentralization of power is a process. When many people who had no power in the past suddenly find that they have the power to influence a certain matter, you think he will easily Can you give up this power without hesitation? No, whoever makes him give up is his enemy, and he will definitely try to knock him down."

"But now there are more than 30 high-ranking officials above the rank of servants who have the right to vote. It is really not an easy task to gather most of the more than [-] people around. Didn't you notice that you all have gray hair? ?” Luo Gang said.

"It's not that difficult!" Xiao Cheng said with a smile: "In fact, there is really no one who is too stupid to sit in this position. Everyone can see the pros and cons of a thing, although sometimes it is because of personal We are opposed to certain things because of our own position, but we should seek common ground while reserving differences, we can always let more people see the good side, right?"

"Actually, I still prefer Yiyantang!" Luo Gang snorted, "If you decide something with one word, there will be so many squeaks!"

"That's really cool. But what about the future?" Xiao Cheng said: "People of our generation feel that we have always been able to remain wise and powerful, but can our successors still do this? If we can serve the public wholeheartedly, our future Can those who serve the public wholeheartedly?"

"This is a bit difficult!"

"It's not that it's difficult, it's very difficult. Absolute power brings absolute corruption!" Xiao Cheng said coldly: "So from the very beginning, we have to find ways to lock this matter from the system."

"It's hard to do it once and for all!"

"But as long as the general public sees the benefits here and forms a habit, it will not be so easy for anyone who wants to change this habit in the future!" Xiao Cheng said: "We are still very young, and we still have time to do it slowly. this matter."

"Let's get through San Niangzi's storm first!" Luo Gang said angrily: "In the past, I thought that San Niangzi became the family, and we can talk about everything. In the end, she became the Empress Dowager Chengtian, and our life became more and more difficult. It's been hard."

"She is the Empress Dowager Chengtian of the Liao Kingdom." Xiao Cheng said indifferently: "And I think what she wants most now is to defeat us and capture us both to Zhongjing."

"Good idea! When you counterattack and attack Zhongjing, I must go with you, and I must capture her back and ask her carefully what she wants to do!" Luo Gang lifted the pole, and another The dead light skin bounced vigorously on the reef, making Xiao Cheng laugh out loud.

On the surface of the river, laughter and the sound of silk and bamboo music could be vaguely heard at this time.

When the two looked up, they saw a huge painting boat passing by the center of the river.

On the broad top floor platform of the painting boat, a group of brightly dressed people are sitting or standing, some are holding wine glasses, some are holding pens and ink, and some are leaning on the railing to play with various musical instruments. In the center, a group of women are singing and dancing, with enchanting figures , the singing is beautiful!
"That's great!" Xiao Cheng said.

"It's very good!" Luo Gang sighed: "It reminds me of the grand scene on the Bian River in Tokyo back then. What about the regulars on the boat!"

"You and Zhang Ziming often go there, but I don't go often!" Xiao Cheng retorted.

"You had Jiang Yingxue at that time, so naturally you didn't like those vulgar fans!" Luo Gang said: "Later, I don't know where all those girls went!"

"A lot of people were taken captive to the Liao land." Xiao Cheng said: "According to some later statistics and intelligence collection, the Liao people took a total of more than [-] craftsmen and young and strong men and women in Tokyo that time. .”

"Hopefully one day we can bring them all back."

"What we need to do now is to let the boats on the river and the happy people live happily and freely, and then let's talk about taking over the suffering compatriots!"

Both fell silent.

Boats came and went on the river, and in a short while, several painted boats and more merchant ships passed by before their eyes. Occasionally, warships flying battle flags could also be seen passing by the river.

"Speaking of Zhang Ziming, can he control the situation on Shaanxi Road and Qinfeng Road?" Luo Gang asked: "Shaanxi Road has been cut off by several major forces, and they have been fighting each other endlessly. The robbing was more intense. And there are many tribes on Qinfeng Road, especially the Tubo tribes, who have quite an advantage on Qinfeng Road. If the Western Army intervenes, the situation will be more complicated. Can Zhang Ziming handle this situation?"

"Today's Zhang Ziming is no longer the Little Zhang Taiwei of the past. Several years of Qinling career has polished him to a more rounded shape. Last time Ganquan came, he brought back dozens of officials. After killing Li Chun , Zhang Ziming asked us to send more officials to assist him in management." Xiao Cheng said with a smile: "I have already accepted the position of governor of Shaanxi."

"You want to dig a piece from Xi Jun and give him a piece without asking Boss Xiao if he agrees?" Luo Gang's eyes widened.

"Tuoba Yangwei and Xiao Jing will arrive in Jiangning tomorrow, so you can go and receive them for me first!" Xiao Cheng said: "The purpose of their visit this time is not simple. If there is a strategy, there may be a huge change, and that will not be very beneficial to us."

"What's Boss Xiao's attitude?"

"Brother's attitude is only one aspect. He can only follow the trend and can't go against the overall situation. Whether it's Tuoba's prestige or Zhang Yuan's, the real power faction of the Western Army has a greater tendency to be between the Liao and Song Dynasties. Swaying from side to side, they want to establish an independent country. So basically speaking, they don’t want us to really win or lose with Liao. Only in this way can they maximize their value!”

"Xi Jun, you supported us back then, but now you are grinning at us." Luo Gang said angrily.

"Don't forget, back then you, the son-in-law, also used your father's banner to help them do a lot of things." Xiao Cheng laughed: "If we hadn't supported the Western Army, then the West is now What kind of situation is this? Maybe it has been conquered by the Liao people long ago. If this is the case, we will be miserable. Now anyway, the Western Army is in the northwest, holding back Yelumin, Yeluhuan, That's an army of 20 million! Yuting, don't be short-hearted!"

"Then tell me the rules, how should I treat them?"

"Don't let them think how important we are!" Xiao Cheng said: "We can open it up to Tuoba generously, and let him see our real strength. Well, the Jiangning garrison will soon have a heavyweight exercise. Arrange for them to take a look. Tuoba Yangwei is not an ordinary party member, he is a guy with great strategy, skill and insight."

"To put it bluntly, it's just to scare them!" Luo Gang said: "I'll tell them, don't think about something, and cooperate with us, and their benefits will not be lost in the future. They really want something. , After we clean up the Liao Kingdom, we will clean them up."

Xiao Cheng laughed: "That's what it means. In fact, the Liao Kingdom is going to clean up us, and it will clean up them in the future. The unification of the world is something that everyone is looking forward to. There is a shortage of gold, and everyone doesn't like it." Hope to happen. So whether it is Liao or Song, no matter who wins the final victory, they have no second choice. Bet on the treasure early and choose one to maximize the benefits!"

"I'm afraid they will choose the Liao Kingdom!"

"So let them see our potential, our system, and our culture, and let them know that only if they choose the right one, will they have a better future, and if they choose the wrong one, they will be lost forever!" Xiao Cheng said.

As he spoke, he vigorously lifted the fishing rod in his hand, and a fish was pulled out of the water with a dazzling white light, and landed on the reef, all of which were a heavy sweet-scented osmanthus fish weighing just over two catties.

"Well, let me say that if I don't sing, I will be a blockbuster, right? Yuting, you are lucky at noon. Such a big sweet-scented osmanthus fish is hard to catch. Let your dead skins be released! "Xiao Cheng said triumphantly.

(End of this chapter)