Chapter 200 Arrest
Zhao Xing used to simply believe that the Song Dynasty was known as a weak country because it valued culture over military.
But as I got to know more, I found that things were not that simple.
Nomadic peoples have been a major threat to the Central Plains dynasties since ancient times.
Nomadic peoples have been causing trouble for successive dynasties. It can be said that nomadic peoples have been present throughout the entire history of wars of feudal dynasties.
However, the situation faced by the Song Dynasty was unprecedented in previous dynasties.
The Han people have an old saying, "Those who are not of our race must have different hearts."
The same applies to nomadic peoples.
Since ancient times, there have been Han people who have taken refuge with nomadic peoples, but not many of them have been truly valued.
However, Liao and Xia were different. They not only occupied some Han cities, but also made important use of the Han people.
The Central Plains dynasties and nomadic peoples have fought for so many years, and generally speaking, each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The nomadic people are good at riding and shooting, their living environment is harsh, and their customs are fierce.
In terms of individual soldier quality, the Han people cannot compare with the nomadic ethnic groups.
The advantage of the Central Plains dynasty lies in its good use of various weapons and the ability to defend cities.
There are also differences in the ruling styles of the two parties.
The Han people had long ago achieved great unification and centralization of power.
However, nomadic peoples had a tribal system, which was somewhat similar to that of the Zhou Dynasty.
The tribes are scheming against each other and are not completely united.
It's okay when the wind is in your favor, but once the wind is against you, you have to think about preserving your strength and worry about being swallowed up by others.
However, Liao and Xia occupied Han territory, had fixed territories, made important use of Han people, and implemented centralized power.
Not only that, they also have methods for making various instruments.
And because of their blockade, it was very difficult for the Song Dynasty to obtain war horses.
Originally, each had its own advantages and disadvantages, but now their disadvantages have been reduced and their advantages have been magnified.
But the situation was the opposite for the Song Dynasty: its advantages were reduced and its disadvantages were magnified.
Of course, Zhao Xing was not trying to excuse the Song Dynasty.
Judging from the situation alone, the Song Dynasty was at a disadvantage, and there were also various internal problems and struggles. All these reasons combined gave it the name of a weak Song Dynasty.
This is a bit off topic, but it is certain that there were some people within the Song Dynasty who were pro-Liao and Xia.
There might even be people in the court who were connected with Liao and Xia and seeking personal gain.
It is unrealistic to find out all of them, but it is still possible to find out some of them and make an example of them.
"Yes!" Yin Hanzhang responded and asked, "Then how should we deal with Chu Long?"
"Let's see if we can follow the clues and eliminate some of the Liao spies." Zhao Xing said.
"Yes, Your Highness. If you have no other instructions, I will take my leave now." Yin Hanzhang bowed.
"Go ahead." Zhao Xing waved his hand.
……
Not long after Yin Hanzhang left, Sheng Wei arrived.
He went out of the city in the morning and hurried over when he was summoned.
"How did the cement test go?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Your Highness, I have had people test the methods you mentioned and built several houses, which are very sturdy," said Sheng Wei.
"Order people to produce in large quantities. I plan to use cement to repair and reinforce all the cities on the northern border. Do you have a suitable person to be responsible for this?" Zhao Xing asked.
"This..." Sheng Wei said in embarrassment: "Your Highness, there are many cities on the northern border. The person in charge of this matter needs to contact the government offices of each city. I'm afraid that ordinary people cannot do it. In addition, a large number of craftsmen who know how to build cities are needed."
"There is no shortage of craftsmen in the Ministry of Industry. I will ask my father to transfer some craftsmen to familiarize themselves with the use of cement. As for the person in charge..."
Zhao Xing looked at Sheng Wei and said, "I think you are quite suitable."
"I have never done this before, and I am afraid that it will hinder Your Highness's important affairs. Besides, who will take care of the business if I leave?" Sheng Wei said in embarrassment.
"Repair and reinforce the city. The craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry will do the specific work. You just need to supervise the quality and money. I believe you can do a good job. As for business..."
Zhao Xing thought for a moment and said, "Let your eldest son take charge."
"But my son is still young and unfamiliar with the job. I'm worried he may not be able to do the job," Sheng Wei said.
"Repairing the city requires preliminary preparations, you can teach him first. I heard that your eldest son is managing your business in Youyang quite well, I believe he can do a good job." Zhao Xing said.
"But…"
"No buts." Zhao Xing interrupted him and said, "You don't want to be a merchant forever, do you? I love Shulan very much, and now she is pregnant with my child. If you do a good job in repairing the city, I will guarantee that you will be appointed as an official in the Ministry of Works."
"As for your eldest son, please help me manage my business. If he does a good job, I will give him an official title in the future."
Now that cement is available, Zhao Xing will definitely use cement to build roads in various places in the future.
It is unrealistic to connect every village, but some important transportation routes must be built.
Once the cement road is built, not only will the speed of marching and transporting food be accelerated, it will also be of great help to economic prosperity.
By then, we can even set up some toll booths to make money.
It’s okay for ordinary people, but it’s not too much for passing caravans to pay some road maintenance fees, right?
Although the Ministry of Works was a low-income government, it was because his father was frugal and was reluctant to repair the old imperial palace.
Once infrastructure construction is underway, the Ministry of Industry will no longer be a place where you only have money to work for.
It is also good to let Shengwei accumulate experience in advance.
Zhao Xing still trusts Sheng Wei very much. Sheng Wei has been in business for many years and is very tactful in his dealings with others.
But his tactfulness is different from Sheng Hong's tactfulness.
Sheng Wei's tactfulness can be understood as emotional intelligence, while Sheng Hong's tactfulness is for the purpose of self-protection and a smooth career.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I will do my best to complete the tasks assigned by Your Highness!" Sheng Wei said excitedly. Although Zhao Xing gave him a civil official position, it was not a real official position.
If he entered the Ministry of Works, it would mean that he would transform from a businessman into an official appointed by the imperial court.
The most important thing is the arrangement for Sheng Changsong.
After all, he is in his forties and hopes that his son can have a bright future.
"I believe you. Please send someone to notify your eldest son to come over as soon as possible." Zhao Xing said.
"Yes!"
Sheng Wei responded, reported some business situations, and then said goodbye and left.
"Your Highness, the Crown Princess just sent someone to ask if Your Highness can come over for lunch."
After Sheng Wei left, Sanshui reported.
"I'm a little hungry too, let's go have dinner." Zhao Xing said as he stood up and walked out.
…………
Bianjing was prosperous, with constant flow of people on the streets.
The situation in the inner city is better. Now that the weather is not hot, many young men from wealthy families and daughters of rich families will go out for a walk.
Just after noon, there were fewer people on the streets.
Just then, a team of imperial guards rushed past, and many people hurriedly dodged, causing some confusion.
"This is the inner city, how dare these soldiers charge in recklessly."
"Keep your voice down, do you want to die? The leader is the Duke of Wei, the emperor's uncle!"
"My uncle is the commander-in-chief of the Palace Guards. He personally led the troops and left in a hurry. I'm afraid something big must have happened."
"Who knows? It has nothing to do with us anyway."
For a moment, people on the street were talking about it, and some curious people ran after it to see what was going on.
Cao An didn't know all this. He rode his horse and led two battalions of soldiers straight to the Prince of Yan's Palace.
"Surround the Prince of Yan's palace. No one can escape, otherwise you will be subject to military law!" Cao An ordered.
"Yes!" The two commanders following Cao An responded loudly, commanding their captains to lead people to surround the Prince of Yan's Mansion.
Such a big commotion outside naturally could not be hidden from the gatekeeper of Prince Yan's Mansion.
The gatekeeper looked through the gate and saw many imperial guards outside, holding swords, guns, bows and crossbows, with murderous aura. He was almost scared to death and hurried in to report.
"Oh no! Oh no! The imperial guards have surrounded the palace!"
Soon, Prince Yan's Mansion fell into chaos.
When Prince Yan heard the news, his face turned pale. He knew very well what he had done. Now that the imperial guards suddenly surrounded the palace, it was very likely that the matter had been exposed.
When he thought of the consequences of being exposed, he collapsed weakly on the chair.
When King Yong died, he was happy for a long time. Now is he going to follow in King Yong's footsteps?
Princess Yan and Prince Yan hurried to the study and saw Prince Yan sitting there with a pale face and lifeless eyes.
He said anxiously, "Your Majesty, a group of imperial guards suddenly came outside and surrounded the palace."
King Yan came back to his senses, looked at his panicked wife and son, took a deep breath, and said, "I see, you stay here and don't move, I'll go take a look."
"Your Highness, it can't be..." Princess Yan looked at Prince Yan worriedly.
She was not very clear about what Prince Yan had done, but she did know that Prince Yan had asked her mother's family to help raise a group of assassins.
It is not difficult to guess what the intentions of an idle prince who keeps a group of assassins are.
"It's okay." Prince Yan forced a smile, comforted his wife and son, and then walked out.
He did not let his wife and children escape, and he himself did not even think about escaping.
It's too late now, where can I escape to?
Cao An and the other two commanders reported that they had surrounded the palace and said coldly, "Break the door!"
The imperial guards, who had been prepared, carried a wooden stake and pushed the door open. Soldiers on both sides filed in and rushed into the palace.
Only then did Cao An walk in.
As soon as he entered the central courtyard, Cao An saw Prince Yan surrounded by a group of soldiers with bows and arrows.
When the King of Yan saw this scene, he was sure that the plot had been exposed, but he still shouted, "Duke Wei! What do you want to do by bringing people into my palace?"
"Prince Yan is plotting to murder His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I'm here to arrest him on the orders of the emperor. Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!" Cao An said coldly.
Prince Yan staggered, his face ashen.
"Capture him!" Cao An ordered.
Several soldiers rushed forward and held down Prince Yan.
"According to the list, arrest all the people and don't leave anyone out!" Cao An ordered.
"Yes!"
The soldiers rushed into the house like wolves and tigers, scattering in all directions, arresting everyone they saw.
Some people also took the list to confirm.
It took half an hour to capture all the people in Prince Yan's Mansion. After verification, Cao An ordered them to be taken away.
Many people gathered on the streets near Prince Yan's Palace.
Cao An ignored him and left with the imperial guards and the captured people.
"Prince Yan is the nephew of the emperor. What crime did he commit that even his servants were arrested?"
"I arrived early and heard the Duke of Wei shouting that the Prince of Yan was plotting to murder His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"Wasn't it Prince Yong who assassinated His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"
(End of this chapter)