Chapter 372 Not from the same group
Zeng Gongliang frowned slightly. If it was true as Zhao Xing said, he could indeed send troops.
But what if Zhao Xing made this promise just to send troops?
Moreover, after the Western Xia sent troops, the Song Dynasty had to withdraw and could not fight with the Western Xia.
It’s not that they were afraid of Western Xia, but it would take time for the Song Dynasty to destroy Western Xia. Fighting with Western Xia would only drag the Song Dynasty into the quagmire of war.
The Song Dynasty was building the Great Wall in the north. If it was dragged into a war and could not be completed in a short period of time, it would affect the construction of the Great Wall in the north.
If the construction of the Great Wall in the north is delayed, once the civil unrest in Liao is quelled, the construction of the Great Wall will face the threat of Liao.
This is also the reason why he disagreed to send troops.
Therefore, whether or not to send troops depends on two conditions. First, Zhao Xing can solve the problem of food and fodder without the need for the court to bear the burden or increase taxes.
Secondly, the Western Xia sent troops to intervene, and the Song Dynasty had to withdraw.
He was afraid that if he agreed to send troops, Zhao Xing would not be able to do these two things, which would then be troublesome.
Seeing Zeng Gongliang's hesitation, Zhao Xing smiled and said, "If you have any concerns, please speak up."
"His Majesty!"
Zeng Gongliang stood up, bowed, expressed his concerns, and said, "As long as Your Majesty can promise these two points in front of the court officials, I agree to send troops!"
Zhao Xing showed appreciation when he heard this. He could understand why those court officials opposed sending troops.
But we cannot oppose just for the sake of opposing.
Those who opposed before didn't hit the point at all, and they even targeted Gu Tingye.
Gu Tingye is his man, so targeting Gu Tingye is actually targeting him.
This is what made Zhao Xing angry.
Although Zeng Gongliang was also opposed, he was stating the pros and cons.
"The envoys from Western Xia will soon arrive in Bian Jing. Their purpose must be to stop the Song Dynasty from sending more troops to Hehuang. In order to prevent the news from leaking out, I cannot promise you these two points in front of all the civil and military officials in the court. However, I plan to let you serve as the envoy to the Privy Council!" Zhao Xu said.
Zeng Gongliang was stunned when he heard this, and it took him a while to come back to his senses. He said, "Your Majesty, Li Shumishi did not make any major mistakes during his tenure as Shumishi. Moreover, replacing Shumishi at this time will also cause unrest in the court. Please think twice!"
"Lord Li is indeed innocent, but he is old and has voluntarily resigned. I want to keep him, but I cannot be unkind," said Zhao Xing.
Zeng Gongliang didn't know what to say now. If Li Jin resigned on his own initiative, it wouldn't cause any major turmoil.
Although he knew that this was definitely not that simple, it was not something he could control.
"My dear Zeng, please step back first," said Zhao Xing.
"I'm leaving now!" Zeng Gongliang bowed and walked out.
After Zeng Gongliang left, Zhao Xing asked Sanshui to bring Li Jin over.
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty!"
Li Jin is in his sixties and is slightly plump, but he doesn't look old.
It's just that Li Jin wasn't in a good mood at this moment.
"No courtesy, please sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After Li Jin sat down, Zhao Xing said, "My dear minister, you sent me a letter before to ask for retirement and return home. I didn't agree. I heard that you are going to write a letter to resign again tomorrow?"
Li Jin looked at Zhao Xing in astonishment. He had never submitted a letter of resignation, let alone thought about resigning.
Just looking at Zhao Xing's smiling eyes and thinking of what Sanshui said before, that the emperor asked why his eldest grandson had always stayed in his hometown, Li Jin sighed silently in his heart.
He had already reacted by now. The previous inquiries were just threats. If he denied the matter and did not write a letter of resignation, Zhao Xing would probably have someone conduct a thorough investigation into what his grandson had done.
Li Jin has some understanding of what his grandson does in his hometown.
In Bian Jing, at most they just bullied men and women, but no one was killed.
But back home, local officials didn't dare to intervene. His grandson acted like a local emperor, without any scruples.
If you really pursue this matter, your life will be in danger.
He only has one grandson, and he doesn't dare to gamble.
Li Jin was silent for a long time, then stood up with a dejected look on his face and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty, I do feel that I am old and a little incapable. I would like to resign and enjoy my old age. Please grant me your permission!"
Zhao Xing pretended to be regretful and said, "Father often said that Li Aiqing is a loyal minister, and I also need Li Aiqing's assistance. However, Li Aiqing has submitted letters of resignation many times, and I cannot force him to stay. You should submit a letter to the court tomorrow morning." "Yes!" Li Jin bowed and said, "If Your Majesty has no other instructions, I will take my leave first!"
"Go!" Zhao Xing waved his hand.
Li Jin bowed and stepped back. When he turned around and prepared to leave, Zhao Xing said, "By the way, Li Aiqing, when you return to your hometown to enjoy your old age, don't forget to take good care of your descendants. There is a folk saying that wealth and honor cannot last for more than three generations. It can be seen that taking good care of your descendants can prolong the family's wealth and honor!"
"I will remember the holy words!"
Li Jin bowed, turned around and left the hall.
Zhao Xing looked at Li Jin's somewhat desolate back and shook his head.
Li Jin has been an official for many years, but apart from accepting some gifts from his subordinates, he has not gained any benefits.
It is also possible that Yin Hanzhang did not find it.
Only his grandson was spoiled beyond belief, otherwise it would not be so easy for Zhao Xing to take him down.
Li Jin left the hall and walked out of the palace absent-mindedly.
"Master Li!"
As soon as he left the palace gate, a man dressed as an attendant came up to him, bowed and said, "My master wants to invite you to his official residence for a chat!"
Li Jin recognized the person coming, and it was Hu Zhongyan's follower. He said calmly: "I have something else to do, so I won't go. Tell Minister Hu that I am not the same kind of person as him!"
After saying that, Li Jin left.
He stopped the increase of troops because he felt it was not appropriate to send more troops to Hehuang at this time.
Another important reason was that Zhao Xing did not issue orders directly to the border troops through the Privy Council.
Gu Tingye previously worked in the Eastern Palace, and was later sent by Zhao Xing to serve in the Northwest Army.
He didn't think much about it at that time, but Zhao Xing gave orders directly to Gu Tingye without going through the Privy Council, which made him feel a sense of crisis.
Although the Song Dynasty had always had civil officials serving as Privy Councilors, there were also examples of military generals holding this position.
He was not worried that his official position would be taken away by Gu Tingye.
Gu Tingye is not very talented. Even if he took over Hehuang, his contribution would not be enough to be directly promoted to Privy Councilor.
What he was worried about was that Zhao Xing wanted to change the practice of emphasizing civil officials over military officials and having civil officials serve as envoys to the Privy Council.
As he said, he and Hu Zhongyan are not the same kind of people.
Moreover, he is about to resign and does not want to have anything to do with Hu Zhongyan.
…………
"Your Majesty, Concubine Sheng requests to see you!" Sanshui reported.
When Zhao Xing heard this, he initially thought it was Minglan, but when he thought about it carefully, it seemed unlikely.
Ever since he ascended the throne, Minglan no longer came to Longtu Pavilion to look for him.
Given Minglan's personality, she wouldn't come here unless something big happened.
If there is any big event in the palace, he will know it without Minglan coming.
Therefore, the one who came should be Rulan.
It’s good to be sisters, but when they are of the same rank, it’s hard to tell them apart when servants report to them.
"Let her in." Zhao Xing said.
"Yes!"
Sanshui responded and went out. After a while, Rulan came in with a palace maid carrying a tray.
Rulan was wearing a light blue palace dress, her hair was tied up, and her face was lightly made up.
Smiling, she bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"
"My beloved concubine, please excuse me!" Zhao Xing waved his hand and said, "My beloved concubine, please come and see me. What is the matter?"
"Your Majesty, it is autumn now and the weather is dry. I personally stewed a lily and tremella soup. This soup can strengthen the spleen, nourish the stomach and moisten the lungs. Your Majesty, please try it and see if it suits your taste." Rulan said.
(End of this chapter)