I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 50: Our Song Dynasty cannot be bullied, and our Song Dynasty is not afraid of war

Jianyuan, tea room.

Su Liang and Bao Zheng sat opposite each other.

Bao Zheng's eyes widened and his beard tugged, his fair face full of surprise.

"Jing Ming, you want me to nominate myself as a Zhengdan envoy? Are you crazy? The last thing I can do is this kind of evil thing!"

Su Liang poured tea for Bao Zheng and said with a smile: "May I ask Brother Xiren, what are the duties of the Zhengdan Envoy this time?"

"Congratulations to Zhengdan, and also to monitor the side affairs." Bao Zheng blurted out.

Su Liang shook his head, looked at Bao Zheng and said seriously: "I think it is to check the border affairs and to congratulate Zhengdan."

Bao Zheng was stunned for a moment and then understood.

When the two things are reversed, the meaning is completely different.

He Zhengdan was just following the formality, and it was the same every year.

In fact, no matter who you appoint, there will be no big problems.

But when it comes to investigating the military situation of the Liao Kingdom, Bao Zheng is much better than others.

When Bao Zheng was in office at the local level, he put forward his opinions on the recruitment and training of the imperial imperial army many times, and several of them were adopted.

He really understands military strategy.

"I dare to ask, Brother Xiren, when you arrive in the Liao Kingdom, will you spit at the Lord of Liao? Will you argue with Liao ministers over certain things? Will you do something inappropriate on some important occasions?"

Bao Zheng shook his head repeatedly.

If he is an upright person, he will naturally be neither humble nor arrogant.

The Lord of Liao didn't need him to give advice, so he wouldn't spit on him.

As for arguing with Liao officials, as long as it did not involve insulting the prestige of the Song Dynasty, he would not take the initiative to seek trouble.

Bao Zheng focuses on one thing: he doesn’t cause trouble, but he’s not afraid of it either.

Su Liang added: "Brother Xiren, you should know the characters of Wang Gongchen, Qian Mingyi, Li Ding and others. If they are Zhengdan envoys, they will definitely be able to celebrate Zhengdan beautifully. But let them survey Liao. Due to the situation of the country’s military, I’m afraid they won’t try their best.”

Bao Zheng nodded slightly.

As a Zhengdan envoy, celebrating Zhengdan without losing etiquette will be considered a success.

And if there is no investigation into side affairs, the officials will not punish them at all.

Do this based on your heart.

Thinking of this, Bao Zheng suddenly stroked his green beard and said: "Who else but me, I will write a memorial and recommend myself!"

……

The next day.

Bao Zheng's self-recommendation memorial and Su Liang's second memorial recommending Bao Zheng as Zhengdan envoy were sent to Zhao Zhen at almost the same time.

After reading it, Zhao Zhen was thoughtful.

Both Bao Zheng and Su Liang believed that congratulations to Zhengdan were not important. All officials of the Song Dynasty were capable of completing it, but if it came to investigating side affairs, Bao Zheng was more qualified.

Bao Zheng also said: If he goes, he will be able to demonstrate the power of the Song Dynasty better than others.

Zhao Zhen believes that Bao Zheng has this ability.

But he was also a little worried, fearing that his relationship with Liao would be messed up this time.

He thought about it for a long time, and finally decided to call Su Liang to ask.

……

afternoon.

There were bursts of cicadas singing.

The weather is getting hotter.

Su Liang walked from the Yushitai to Chui Gong Hall, his clothes were completely soaked.

Sweat flowed down uncontrollably.

However, as soon as he arrived at Chui Gong Hall, the air suddenly became cooler.

There are many ice trays placed around the Chui Gong Hall.Excellent cooling effect.

In the center of the main hall, there is also a large square ice mirror (Da Song Dynasty refrigerator) with layers of ice inside, which contains fruits, drinks, etc.

Zhang Mao saw that Su Liang was covered in sweat, so he led him to a side room.

He ordered one of the little yellow gates to bring a towel, and the other little yellow gate brought two bowls of iced apricot cake drinks.

This is the treatment that only the chief officials of the two governments and three departments have.

Su Liang finished wiping his face and drank two bowls of apricot cake drink, and immediately felt very refreshed.

After a while.

Su Liang came to Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen said: "I have read the memorial between you and Bao Zheng. It makes sense, but I still have concerns!"

"This time, He Zhengdan will be the main one, and the border affairs will be monitored as a supplement. If He Zhengdan suffers a loss due to the border affairs inspection, it will damage the dignity of our country, the loss will be outweighed by the gain!"

When Su Liang heard this, he couldn't help but hold his hands heavily.

"My thoughts are exactly opposite to those of the officials. If we can investigate the affairs on the Liao border, it doesn't matter if we lose etiquette!"

"Neighbors have no friends, so a war between us and Liao is inevitable!"

"Snapped!"

Zhao Zhen patted the table and his expression became serious.

"How outrageous! Since the Chanyuan Alliance, Song and Liao have been brotherly states, with settlements set up on the border. People on both sides exchange their needs and live and work in peace and contentment. I will never allow another war!"

Zhao Zhen stood up slowly.

"Su Jingming, you should know that since the late emperor signed the Chanyuan Alliance, there have been many sarcastic remarks among the people, mocking the Song Dynasty for not having the courage to use annual coins to ensure peace. But how do the people in the world know that this is a big deal for the Song Dynasty? a good thing!"

"The annual coin is only a few hundred thousand taels. I, the Song Dynasty, can easily earn this money back through the border market. If there is a war, no matter whether we win or lose, the money consumed will be more than a hundred times. I am willing to see countless good men. Lost their lives and displaced countless people..."

Su Liang had long known that Zhao Zhen had this idea.

Zhao Zhen only hopes that the country will be peaceful and the people will be safe, and that there will be no more wars.

But he never thought about expanding his territory and destroying the Liao Kingdom and Xixia.

However, this is just wishful thinking on his part.

"What the officials said is indeed true. If the late emperor and the officials had not adhered to this idea, there would have been no peace between Song and Liao in the past few decades!"

"However, the Liao Kingdom is a clan of tigers and wolves. Our Song Dynasty has fertile land and rich people, and is far better than the Liao in every aspect. How could the Lord of the Liao not have the desire to invade southward?"

"I believe that stopping wars with war is a good strategy. Otherwise, the richer the Song Dynasty will be, the more prosperous commerce will be, and the happier the people will be, the more likely the Liao Kingdom will be to invade!"

"I recommend Bao Xiren not because I want to start a war, but because my previous envoys from the Song Dynasty were too kind."

"For example, during a banquet, if the Liao people invite people to drink, so what if I, the envoy of the Song Dynasty, decline the invitation? Will it offend the Liao State? Will it lead the Liao State to go south to attack the Song Dynasty? We are too polite to the Liao State!"

"Bao Xiren's mission to the Liao Kingdom was to tell the Liao Kingdom: Our Song Dynasty cannot be bullied, and our Song Dynasty is not afraid of war. It is not to tell the Liao Kingdom: Our Song Dynasty knows etiquette very well!"

"At the moment, we have the strength and qualifications to say this. Only if we show toughness will the Liao Kingdom respect us more. We are not the money bags of Xixia and Liao Kingdom!"

"Which is more important or less important, please let the officials decide!" Su Liang handed over his hand heavily and said no more.

Zhao Zhen sat back on the dragon chair and thought seriously.

"My Song Dynasty cannot be bullied, my Song Dynasty is not afraid of war, but my Song Dynasty knows etiquette very well!" Zhao Zhen murmured.

Su Liang's words made him fall into deep thought.

He had never heard such words.

Not to mention the officials in the court now.

Even during the Qingli New Deal, Fan Zhongyan, Fu Bi and others did not say this.

Zhao Zhen did not want to fight, but for the sake of the Song Dynasty.

Su Liang told him that if we can and dare to fight, it is for the sake of the Song Dynasty.

After Zhao Zhen thought for half a quarter of an hour, he waved his hand towards Su Liang and said, "Please step back first and let me think about it carefully!"

Su Liang bowed and retreated. He had fulfilled his duty as a courtier.

(End of this chapter)