Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 587 Strong Medicine
In the sedan chair, Tang Situi sat upright, and the messenger knelt on the felt carpet and told him the details of the three elite cavalry sent by the Cavalry Division to leave the capital.

Tang Shitui pondered and said, "Three groups of troops, three thousand soldiers, heading in different directions?"

After receiving an affirmative answer, Tang Shitui suddenly remembered the three "rebellion cases" he had deliberately sent to Prince Jin Zhao Ju to deal with in order to make things difficult for him.

Is it possible...

It shouldn’t be!

Our Great Song Dynasty has always tried to appease rebellions whenever possible.

I have looked into these three incidents carefully. The most serious one was just driving away the tax collectors and occupying the bridge to collect taxes. It was not a serious matter that required the dispatch of the imperial guards.

Shouldn't he order the local authorities to mobilize soldiers and police officers to resolve the matter using both soft and hard methods?
Tang Situi had already thought of a countermeasure. He wanted to use these three cases to embarrass Zhao Qiu.

At the same time, he gathered his colleagues here to sing and drink, which was also an invisible demonstration against King Jin Zhao Ju.

It was the custom of the Song Dynasty to appease those who besieged local officials and provoked trouble.

Even if we cannot pacify them, this is actually just a small matter under the jurisdiction of local officials, so we can just order the local officials to resolve it.

He would instruct the local officials to delay or even anger the rioters, causing them to make things even more serious.

At that time, they can take the opportunity to put pressure on King Jin in the court.

After the King of Jin was at a loss, the case had to be handed over to him. He could then show great mercy to those officials who had caused the trouble and calm the situation down.

then……

Then the new policy that the government is eager to cut down on redundant measures will die.

But now...

"I have heard of this and will reply to your master, telling him to protect Lin'an Prefecture. Cutting down on redundant staff has caused public resentment and there have been occasional riots in the localities, but Lin'an Prefecture... is not allowed to cause chaos!"

"Little man obeys!"

The messenger responded respectfully and got out of the car. The car was still moving slowly, so he jumped out swiftly and left quickly.

In the dark, two figures were following him alternately. The man was completely unaware and led the two figures to a house.

He knocked on the vermilion lacquered door, but the main door did not open; only a corner door opened.

When the doorman saw the person coming, he stepped aside to let him in, then looked around and closed the corner door.

The two figures in the dark waited for a while before quietly approaching, standing at the door, and looking up at the lintel.

"Liu Mansion!"

This was the residence of Liu Yiguan, the Tongpan of Lin'an Prefecture who was in charge of legal affairs.

The two figures gestured to each other and quietly retreated into the night.

……

Yang Mansion, the main house.

The lighting in the room is soft.

A soft hand suddenly stretched out from the curtain, trying to grab something, but there was really nothing to hold on to.

The bare hand first grabbed the bed sheet, pulling it into a ball, and finally couldn't help it and pulled the bed curtain.

She pulled down half of the curtain, revealing a flushed face, a dazed look in her eyes, and beads of sweat on her forehead.

"Sister...sister, save me, Dan Niang...sister..."

Luxi began to call for help, gasping for breath.

In the outer bedroom, Alihu heard his wife's cry for help.

But when she touched her belly, she decisively gave up the idea of ​​"savior".

The one in your belly is more important. My lady mistress, I'm sorry, you... you just have to hold on a little longer, it will pass.

Yang Yuan did not stay in a brothel like Xiao Yiran and Lu Chengze tonight, but he was also aroused by the three masters of pleasure, Xiao Yun, Yi Ju and Cha Mi.

After returning, it was Luxi who endured such ruthless beatings.

Now that she couldn't bear it any longer, she subconsciously asked Dan Niang for help.

When this house was first built, she and Dan Niang agreed that their rooms would be next to each other, so they could live as close as possible.

"Yeah~"

The secret door between the two rooms opened and Xiao Qingtang ran over.

With her hair draped over her shoulders and bare feet, her moon-white bell-bottom pants were folded around her ankles, making her look indescribably adorable.

"Madam, my godmother said that Pharmacist Luo said that you must avoid disturbing the fetus during the first three months. Madam, you can only pray for the best."

Lu Xi was like drowning, waving his hands weakly: "Stinky girl, I say... save me..."

"okay!"

Xiao Qingtang was waiting for this sentence, and immediately smiled and ran over...

……

The next morning, when he arrived at the yamen, Tang Situi immediately asked everyone to gather at Prime Minister Shen's office.

He then sent another person to the Privy Council to ask Yang Cunzhong to meet with Prime Minister Shen in his office.

The ruling officials did not know what had happened and rushed to the Prime Minister's office.

Because Deputy Prime Minister Wei Liangchen and Councillor Zhang Jun accompanied the emperor to Chengdu, only the two ministers Chen Kangbo and Chen Junqing rushed to the Prime Minister's office.

As soon as Tang Situi arrived in front of Shen Gai, he angrily told several ministers the news that the Privy Council had arbitrarily mobilized 3,000 cavalry to leave the capital.

When Shen Gai heard this, his expression suddenly changed.

The Privy Council actually bypassed all the prime ministers and mobilized troops out of the capital without authorization. This is a very serious matter. If it is allowed to continue, there will be endless troubles.

Shen Gai raised his white eyebrows and said in a deep voice: "Send Yang Cunzhong to see us immediately!"

Tang Si retreated and said, "Prime Minister, I have sent someone to urge you."

Chen Kangbo and Chen Junqing exchanged glances and sat aside silently, pondering nothing.

Of the two of them, Chen Kangbo was a staunch radical and was not of the same kind as Shen Gai, Tang Situi and others.

Chen Junqing was a professor in the palace when the emperor was a prince. He was a staunch supporter of the emperor, so he would not easily express his opinion on Shen Gai and Tang Situi.

However, they were actually somewhat dissatisfied with the Privy Council's unauthorized mobilization of troops without going through the civil officials.

This was not because they felt that Yang Cun Zhong had offended their authority, but because they believed that if a general was given such power, the consequences would be too serious.

Many people have simple bipolar thinking: either good or bad, either friend or enemy, either this or that.

The world is complex and diverse; it is not that simple.

For example, the Song Dynasty's military policy of strengthening the trunk and weakening the branches, defending the interior and weakening the exterior, was completely denied by some people because of the drawbacks it later caused, and they criticized it from head to toe as a piece of shit.

Little did people know that it was also an elaborate design made by the rulers of the Song Dynasty after learning lessons from the previous dynasties.

The Tang Dynasty's warlords rebelled, especially after An Lushan launched his rebellion. He captured the eastern capital Luoyang in a month and the capital Chang'an within half a year. Famous Tang generals were killed one after another. One of the important reasons for this was that the trunk was weak and the main troops were stationed outside.

When a rebel with a large number of troops suddenly appeared, there were no soldiers available in the country.

The famous generals sent by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang at that time, such as Feng Changqing and Gao Xianzhi, were all leading ordinary people whose troops had just been formed for less than a month and could not form any fighting power at all.

With the lessons learned from the Tang Dynasty and the "custom" of the generals of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms taking turns to kill the boss and rule the country themselves, the Song Dynasty made such an arrangement.

At the time, it was the best arrangement.

However, any system should change as the situation changes.

However, any system, in the process of formation and stabilization, will inevitably form a large number of vested interests.

When the time comes to make changes, they will jump out and become resistance to change.

Thus, the system that was once the most superior and most suitable for the time, when it was not changed when it should have been, eventually became a vicious beast that backfired.

Then, later generations will take it as a lesson and try again to develop a more advanced system.

However, there is no perfect system in the world.

Every new system that has learned from the lessons of the previous dynasty will, after completing its historical mission, become a lesson for later generations.

This vicious circle cannot be broken.

For the Song Dynasty, this most appropriate military system, which it established at the beginning of its founding, has now begun to lag behind, and it is time to make appropriate changes.

However, inertia makes many people worried and afraid to act rashly.

For example, Chen Kangbo and Chen Junqing firmly stood on the side of Emperor Zhao Yuan, but they were also afraid of giving military generals more power.

Once the power of civil officials is out of control, they will seek to dominate the government and the country and be the only one who is in power.
What will a military general do once his power is no longer restricted?
Make moderate changes?

What is considered moderate?

If this moderation is actually inappropriate, wouldn’t I become a sinner in the world?

Therefore, Chen Kangbo and Chen Junqing did not express their opinions immediately. They wanted to wait for Yang Cunzhong to come and find out the whole story.

Yang Cunzhong came, and as soon as he arrived, Tang Situi became aggressive and questioned him about the unauthorized troop movement.

Yang Cunzhong said frankly: "Prime Minister, all the rulers, I did not mobilize the troops without authorization. I was ordered by the regent, Prince Jin, to sign the order to mobilize the troops after receiving the command arrow and military token."

Tang Situi said: "When the imperial court deploys troops, the Privy Council has always been in charge of military records and tiger seals, the three yamen are in charge of the armies, and the generals are in charge of the military power, each with their own responsibilities.

The commander-in-chief is usually a civilian official, and the troops will surrender after the battle. May I ask Envoy Yang Shu, who will be the commander-in-chief when the troops are dispatched out of the capital this time? Why did none of us, the prime ministers, know about it?"

"The generals are appointed by the emperor, this is the rule. The generals must be appointed by civil officials, this is not the rule." Following the voice, Jin Wang Zhao Yu walked in proudly. He knew that the matter of mobilizing troops out of the capital could not be concealed for too long.

Shen Gai and others stood up and bowed to meet the Regent.

Zhao Yu waved his hand, walked to the top, took Shen Gai's seat, and said, "I am entrusted by the emperor to serve as regent and hold the emperor's authority.

The Privy Council is the army that this Regent ordered to mobilize, the Three Departments are the army that this Regent ordered to dispatch, and as for the generals…"

Zhao Yu glanced at the ministers and said, "I have mobilized a total of 3,000 soldiers, divided into three locations, with no more than 1,000 soldiers in each location.

It was not a serious matter, and even no food or supplies were needed. The local government could provide them without losing its vitality, so no general was sent.

Speed ​​is of the essence in war. I didn't have time to inform the ministers. But now I'm here to inform you today after I dispatched the troops yesterday?"

Shen Gai frowned and said, "I don't know where the regent is sending troops and why?"

Zhao Yu glanced at Tang Situi and said, "Shangzheng Tang knows about this matter."

When everyone heard this, they all looked at Tang Situi.

Tang Situi was anxious and said hurriedly: "This humble official also just learned about the troop deployment. This humble official really didn't know that the regent was mobilizing troops."

Zhao Yu smiled and said, "You really don't know about the troop movement. You should know why the troops were moved.

This king dispatched troops to Wuzhou (Jinhua), Dongyang and Kuaiji. Does Minister Tang know why this king dispatched troops? "

Although Tang Situi had already guessed it, his face still changed and he said, "The regent sent troops to suppress the rebellion in the three places?"

"Not bad!"

Zhao Yu answered with a smile, but suddenly his face darkened: "Everyone knows the harm of redundant officials. The government's move to cut down redundant officials will benefit the country and the people.

Anyone who dares to obstruct the implementation of the great policy will be a criminal of the country! Those who take advantage of the opportunity to stir up trouble must be suppressed with thunder and lightning to serve as a warning to others! Therefore, the king did not hesitate and quickly sent out troops. "

Tang Shitui's face suddenly turned pale and his mouth felt bitter. He didn't expect that King Jin Zhao Qu was so tough.

No, no, I should have thought of that earlier.

When did this ridiculous prince ever take the ordinary path?
He didn't even want the crown that was placed in front of him, and he forced the eunuch who was sent to convey his imperial edict to the palace where Prince Pu'an was waiting for his orders. There was nothing he couldn't do.

Chen Kangbo and Chen Junqing's faces changed. Chen Kangbo's face darkened and he said to Tang Situi, "Mr. Tang, there are riots in Wuzhou, Dongyang and Kuaiji. Why don't I know anything about this?"

Chen Junqing looked at him coldly and said, "Councillor Tang, you and I are both councillors. Shouldn't I be informed of such a major event? Have you reported this to the Prime Minister?"

Tang Situi said hurriedly, "The incident happened suddenly, with riots in three places, and the emperor was not in Lin'an. I was deeply afraid that the chaos would be out of control, so I immediately reported it to the regent for disposal. Oh, I asked the prime minister for instructions."

Shen Gai glanced at him, stroked his beard, and said calmly: "Oh, after Tang Shenzheng forwarded the memorial to the regent, he did inform me of the matter. How come the two Shenzheng still don't know about it?

Haha, I thought that the Regent already knew about this, and we could discuss it together when he summoned us, but I didn't expect the Regent to be so bold and decisive, and he dispatched troops immediately."

Shen Gaicai didn't want to take the blame for Tang Situi, although their basic positions were the same.

This young man actually wanted to drag him down with him. They were almost twice his age, so how could he fool around with this old man?
Old man Shen immediately "declared" that he only learned about it after Tang Shitui submitted the three memorials to Prince Jin, creating an established fact.

Moreover, he didn't know that Chen Junqing and Chen Kangbo, two politicians, didn't know about it.

However, after all, he and Tang Shitui had a common opponent - King Jin.

Therefore, he stabbed Tang Situi first to tell him not to use himself as a shield, but he still stood in the same camp and targeted King Jin.

"Qian Gang Duduan" is not a term exclusive to the emperor, unlike the word "Zhan" which was later clearly defined in law.

But it has in fact become a term used exclusively to describe the emperor. Although there is no legal definition of its scope of use and who uses it, it is a commonly accepted term for the emperor.

However, Old Shen also miscalculated.

The Goose King is a man who doesn't follow the beaten path.

If it were anyone else, hearing the prime minister smilingly "praising" him for his "autocratic decision-making", he would probably be terrified.

But when King Zhao Yu of Jin heard this, he burst into laughter.

"Geese, geese, geese... Prime Minister Shen really understands me. Not bad, not bad. My Majesty is kind, but too square. He is inflexible and a bit rigid. Compared to my Majesty, my Majesty is bold and decisive, with extraordinary courage!"

Zhao Qu boasted about himself complacently, leaving all the ministers speechless.

This move, which was originally the most taboo, seemed to have no effect at all when used on this prince.

After Zhao Yu finished praising himself, he waved his hand and said, "So, you don't have to ask Envoy Yang Shu. The order to mobilize troops was issued by me, the regent. It is legal, compliant, and reasonable."

Zhao Yu waved his hand at Yang Cunzhong and said, "Envoy Yang Shu, please go back. I have something else to discuss with the other councilors."

Yang Cunzhong smiled and bowed, "Yes!"

After Yang Cunzhong left, Shen Gai frowned and said, "Regent, Yang Cunzhong was in charge of the three yamen for a long time. The commanders of the three yamen were all his comrades and subordinates. This is a major hidden danger. Yang Cunzhong should not be in charge of the government. We must be on guard against the lessons of the past."

Zhao Yu nodded and said, "Prime Minister Shen is an experienced and wise man who is good at planning for the country. This is very true. Previously, because Qin Hui was plotting a rebellion and the late emperor passed away, we urgently needed a prestigious veteran to suppress the three armies.

Now, it is time to choose another good minister to take charge of the military affairs. The ministers can discuss it when they have time, and select a few capable civil officials who are knowledgeable about military affairs and report them to the emperor, and then he can make the decision when he comes back!"

"The reason why I came here today is because I have another important matter to discuss with the ministers."

Zhao Yu's face darkened: "The court is just cutting some redundant officials, something that is in line with the will of heaven and the people, but it can actually cause such a big incident.

Wuzhou, Dongyang, and Kuaiji are very close to Lin'an, and yet some people dare to cause trouble. If this new policy is implemented, what will happen to other places?"

Zhao Yu glanced at the ministers and said in a more serious tone, "We must work out a rule for this matter as soon as possible and promulgate it to the whole country!"

"besides……"

Zhao Yu took out the three memorials from his sleeve, threw them on Shen Gai's desk, and said with a smile: "Wuzhou, Dongyang and Kuaiji are in turmoil at the same time, or did someone in the three places discuss it and send the three memorials at the same time?"

Tang Situi suddenly felt hot. Prince Jin actually noticed the time difference between the three memorials.

He was clearly saying that some people in the local area had deliberately agreed to cause trouble at the same time in order to put pressure on the court. Wasn't he actually targeting me?
However, he couldn't change the time on the official letter.

When the people below report to him, they also have to sign to indicate receipt and delivery, and indicate the pick-up time.

It's such a big thing, involving so many links and so many people, he can't control it, so who is willing to take the blame for him?

However, Zhao Yu looked at him meaningfully but did not reveal the matter.

Zhao Yu slammed the table and said, "In our Song Dynasty, there are people who rebel every year, even every month. Rebellion, what is rebellion? The basis for judgment is one is the purpose, and the other is the behavior.

Several laid-off officials in Wuzhou Prefecture led their clansmen and villagers to surround the Wuzhou government office, demanding that their official status be restored. Is this called rebellion? This is using the crowd to cause trouble!

A few laid-off tax collectors in Dongyang seized the bridge and collected a bridge tax from passers-by, claiming it as their own. Is this also rebellion? This is extortion and highway robbery!
A dismissed chief clerk in Kuaiji fell to death after getting drunk. His family members carried him to the court, which was used as a mourning hall. They were just extorting bribes and provoking trouble. Is this considered rebellion?

As an official, he can't even solve the smallest problems. No matter what the matter is, he just casually accuses the person of "rebellion" and reports it to the court. What use does the court have for such an official?

"They are shameless and just sit there doing nothing. How many officials have there been who casually reported 'rebellion' and were lazy and incompetent in their administration over the years?"

Zhao Qu's voice was loud and clear, and echoed clearly in Shen Gai's huge signing room.

The officials in the outer hall held their breath and kept silent, not daring to speak.

Zhao Yu clenched his fist, pounded it on the table, and shouted: "This kind of nonsense can't continue. All the ministers are here, let's discuss a rule together!"

……

In Wuzhou Prefecture, several laid-off officials, along with their clansmen and fellow villagers, have been surrounding the prefectural government office for five days.

The two sides were very peaceful. The state government office closed its doors and did not conduct official business, and the people who surrounded the state government office did not cause trouble.

Anyone who came out of the provincial government to buy vegetables or something was allowed to pass. Sometimes, if they shouted "so what?", the government would make way for them and allow them to deliver the goods.

"Don't worry, the court will definitely send people to recruit us after hearing the news. By then, we will not only be able to regain our status as dismissed officials, but we may even be able to go one step further and be given a ninth-rank official position."

"Yes, this is a good opportunity for us. However, even if we become officials, we cannot lose our official status.

An official can only serve for one term, but the position of an official can be passed down from generation to generation, so it must be handed over to our own children and nephews."

"Yes, yes, that's right."

In the provincial government, the prefect He Qianchen was leisurely feeding goldfish in the back hall.

He hasn't had to go to work these days and he's been bored to death. He's been idle for too long and is feeling bored.

Patting the fish food residue on his hands, He Zhizhou said leisurely: "Look at the time, the minister sent by the court to recruit people should be here soon, right?"

The assistant teacher beside him laughed and said, "According to convention, after the pacification, the local area can at least be exempted from taxes for one year. This is a benevolent policy of yours, sir.

When you leave office and are demoted, the Ten Thousand People Umbrella and the Excellent Plaque will be indispensable."

“Hahahaha…” He Zhizhou laughed.

Before the laughter died down, a bailiff came hurriedly and said urgently, "Master, someone from the imperial court is here."

"Oh?" He Zhizhou was in high spirits and said, "Where are you? I'll go... No! I'm surrounded in the government office and can't go. You go quickly and make the people surrounding the government office make a fuss!"

The yamen runner said with a bitter face: "The court officials have arrived at the gate of the prefecture government office. They want to arrest the officials who led the riot and ask their relatives and fellow villagers to leave immediately. If they cause trouble again, they will be severely punished.

Some people refused to listen and threw stones and hit the officers and soldiers, and were...beheaded with a single blow of the sword. "

He Zhizhou was shocked and asked, "Who is the minister sent by the court to pacify the country? Why is he so stubborn?"

The yamen runner said, "There is no minister to pacify the government, only soldiers, and the leader is a general of the imperial guards!"

"Quick, come with me and take a look. It's a disaster. How dare they do this?"

He Zhizhou ran to the front yamen in a hurry, panting.

When he ran to the front yamen, he had people lift down the door bars, opened the gate and looked out, only to see that the area in front of the mansion was in a mess.

The bedding rolls were still thrown on the ground, and the feces and urine at the base of the wall were stinking.

Under the stone steps of the provincial government office, there lay a headless corpse, with its head rolled more than ten feet away.

He Zhizhou was so frightened that his legs went limp and he almost fell to the ground.

(End of this chapter)