Chapter 234 Across the River
After the court received Zhao Yulin's memorial, a heated discussion broke out. Some people suggested discussing the relocation of the capital again. The person who caused the most noise was none other than the censor Hua Yue who dared to speak out.
Hua Yue believed that the Song army in the north of the Yangtze River had lost its barrier against the northern barbarians, and Lin'an was always under the command of the Mongolian army and might face war at any time. He should consider the suggestion of Commander Zhao of the Shenwei Army and move the capital to Chang'an.
Because Chang'an is the ancient capital of the Han and Tang Dynasties, barbarians from all directions came to pay tribute and surrender, which further demonstrated the majesty of the Song Dynasty. At present, Chang'an City is deep and wide, and is protected by the powerful Shenwei Army, so its safety is guaranteed.
Some court officials heard that what he said was all reasonable, especially the point about ensuring security was very important, and immediately seconded the proposal. The forces in the court that proposed to move the capital quickly grew.
This made the ruling group headed by Shi's son very anxious. They were well aware of the great power of Zhao Qi'er, the leader of the Divine Power Army. If the capital was moved to Chang'an, Zhao Yulin would definitely become an official in the court. In that case, a large number of officials from Shu would inevitably enter the court and take away the power in their hands.
This result is absolutely unacceptable to the ruling class. If Zhao Qi'er leads his troops into the court and uses the emperor to control the princes, a troublemaker like Shi Zi's son would be even more worried about his life.
Shi's son spent every day in the Wanshou Palace lobbying the old queen mother not to listen to slander and move the capital. He would rather make Zhao Qi'er a great king than allow Zhao Qi'er to move the capital.
However, these selfish, well-fed and idle guys have not yet realized that disaster is approaching step by step.
Seven days later, Zhao Yulin left Baoji and arrived in Fengxiang Prefecture.
The Fire Phoenix caught him at the gate of the New South Gate and told him to follow her, otherwise he would not be able to find his way home.
This is the new city being built. The brand new General Street is being built.
Rows of houses where people live are being built.
The couple rode side by side on the wide street. The ground was paved with thick sintered bricks. The crisp sound of horse hooves hitting each other, "clacking", floated over the new city like a welcoming song.
When the people on the street saw the neat horse team coming, someone immediately recognized the Fire Phoenix and shouted "General Phoenix, good luck to General Phoenix". Then someone recognized Zhao Yulin beside the Phoenix and cheers of "Third Young Master, Third Young Master" rang out on the street.
Zhao Yulin did not expect that the people of Fengxiang would be so enthusiastic. He raised his right hand and waved it continuously to greet the common people.
After returning to the government office, Fenghuang told him that Ma Ling and Yuqi needed to breastfeed their babies, so he had to stay in Fengxiang. This was the transfer station for the Shenwei Army's supplies, and there were too many things to do and he couldn't afford to delay.
Zhao Yulin held the woman in his arms and used his tongue to comfort her. The couple was busy for a long time before they packed up and went out to eat.
Logistics officer Tan Yousan prepared a table of light food and wine at his home, and the three of them sat down to eat and drink.
Tan Yousan made a self-criticism to him, saying that during the past two years of the Shenwei Army's rectification, many corrupt elements had been uncovered in the logistics department, and it was his fault for not supervising strictly and not governing effectively.
Zhao Yulin took a sip of wine and thought deeply. He knew that corruption had always existed in every dynasty and it was difficult to eradicate it. But no matter how difficult it was, it had to be eradicated, no matter who was involved. Otherwise, no matter how good the cards in his hand were, he would lose miserably.
He picked up the glass and asked everyone to drink, saying that as long as we set an example and persevere, we will always reap rewards.
Tan Yousan reported to him: With the large-scale construction of roads in the past two years, the transportation conditions in Qin and Gong have been greatly improved, the capabilities of battlefield mobility and logistics support have been multiplied, and we are no longer afraid of enemy invasions.
Zhao Yulin nodded and raised his glass to him, reminding him not to take it lightly. Zhao Yulin believed that the focus in the future would be on the direction of Yan'an Prefecture, and hoped to fully repair the Qinzhi Road to prepare for the army's future attack on Jiuyuan and Yunzhong.
Tan Yousan agreed immediately and told him that the Quartermaster Battalion had produced a large number of wide carts suitable for traveling on the grasslands in accordance with the requirements of General Miao, in order to meet the combat needs of the eastern and northern groups.
He said with a smile that that would require a lot of wood, but we should not cut it down indiscriminately. We still need to protect the forest, otherwise it will cause soil erosion and natural disasters in the future will be very serious.
Yousan told him seriously what he had been told, that trees should be cut where roads were to be built, trees should be cut where fire prevention routes were to be set up, the slopes must be protected where the slopes were too steep, and random cutting was prohibited. These were all taught by the young master.
Zhao Yulin was very pleased to see that all the brothers were working hard together. He picked up the cup and called one away with pride.
After having a good meal and a good drink, he asked to see Yousan's new home. He had just come into the house and was busy eating and drinking, so he hadn't had time to visit his new home.
Fenghuang said that the residence of the logistics officer was the same as that of the other brothers, with three courtyards, one next to the other. Zhao Yulin looked at the small general's residence and felt that the brothers finally had a nest of their own.
When he went out, he looked at the rows of houses and thought of the overbearing officials in Lin'an. He told Yousan: Those who live here are generals and must abide by the rules. He told Yousan to tell everyone to control their families and not to act rashly. He also asked them to take care of the families in need.
When he got back, Fenghuang kept nagging him like a mother-in-law.
Zhao Yulin said that the family is getting bigger and bigger, and it feels like there is trouble everywhere.
Fenghuang told him not to worry. She had consulted General Cao and had established patrol teams in Fengxiang Prefecture and Chang'an City to specifically investigate and punish military violations of discipline and laws. The brothers knew what was going on.
Fenghuang quickly pulled off his clothes and told him to take a shower and go to bed.
The next day, the sun was already high in the sky, but the couple were still catching up on their nap.
Fenghuang kept asking for a daughter to be born to her all night, torturing Zhao Yulin until he felt comfortable. He fell into a deep sleep at dawn, completely squeezing out his time for practicing martial arts.
He was dazed when Fenghuang called him and told him that Shen Baiyi was visiting.
Zhao Yulin went out and saw Shen Baiyi, who seemed to be several years younger. This man was really a man of rich family. He had money in his hands, no worries about food and clothing, so he would naturally live a long and healthy life.
After drinking a cup of tea, Bai Yi said that his idea was a good one. After the money shop was opened, money flowed in. The shareholders received dividends every six months. All of them were smiling and hoped to use the accumulated money to invest in the money shop again.
This is the huge attraction of the new-style money houses, which are safe and reliable and have the endorsement of the Shenwei Army. These make wealthy people willing to keep their own money in the money houses. The money houses have stable savings and can lend them out to promote commercial circulation. Both finance and commerce have a virtuous cycle and complement each other.
Zhao Yulin spread his hands and said that if he wanted to open a branch, he could only set up a branch in the prefectures and counties of Qin, Gong and Xun. He was afraid that he could not find a suitable place in other places.
In addition, he plans to divert Chengdu's taxes to pay for military pay this year. If this works, the Shenwei Army will not be short of funds for a while, and there will be no need to rush to open a money shop to make money.
Shen Baiyi said with some regret that it was difficult to deal with. How could he go back and explain to his brothers?
He came here with a mission to accompany Zhao Yulin for tea and look for investment.
Zhao Yulin told him that Hanzhong had become an absolutely safe place now, and he could go to Hanzhong to seek investment projects, speed up the construction of factories and fields there, and manufacture a large number of cheap goods to make money.
Expanding the city of Hanzhong and building new houses would definitely make money. He asked Baiyi to consider that the Shenwei Army could invest half of the shares and build a new city in Hanzhong according to the Fengxiang model.
Although Bai Yi got the enlightenment, he was unable to open the money shop he wanted and left with some regrets.
Zhao Yulin had no worries about money, but the Khan of the grassland in the north began to worry.
No matter how much silver there is, even if he opens the floodgates and releases it like water, it will eventually run dry.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs told the Khan that there was not much silver left in the treasury.
There are still some useful things to do, such as using the stolen treasures.
The discount on jewelry and jade is still calculated based on silver. The Khan is reluctant to part with them as each piece is his beloved treasure.
In the past few years, the Mongol army's expeditions to the south have not been smooth, and almost all of them have suffered losses and no income. The royal court has just started to collect households in Hebei and levy taxes. Although the effect is obvious, his royal court always spends more than it earns. If he does not go south to seize the wealth of one or two large cities, the treasury will definitely be emptied.
The Khan is addicted to alcohol and can't live without a wine jug.
He brought the jar of Qin Feng Qiong Jiang and called back Prime Minister Yelu to ask about the preparations for the southern expedition.
The prime minister reported to him: In order to conceal the truth, Hubili suggested that the eldest prince go to Shandong together, and Prince Kuoduan should stay in the west to make a feint. Badu has already dispatched 100,000 troops to the west to provide support.
The Prime Minister was very optimistic about Hu Bili. He said confidently that if we succeed in the east this time and seize half of the Song Dynasty's treasury, it would be enough for the Khan to drink thousand-year-old aged wine. But we must not massacre the city and hurt innocent people.
The Khan was delighted to hear this, and he laughed heartily, saying, "What's a thousand years? I want to live forever. Do you know that I want to live forever?"
In Yangzhou of the Song Dynasty, General Yu Jie was standing on the ruined city wall, looking towards the north.
He had recently received sporadic news from merchants and travelers that the Mongolian cavalry was heading south at night. Yu Jie felt something was amiss. Could it be that the Mongolian army was about to launch another southern expedition?
Every autumn , the horses in the north are always strong and the cattle and sheep are fat, so the northern barbarians no longer need to graze, and it is a good time for them to go south to plunder.
Yu Jie thought that Lin'an was just behind him , and across the river was the imperial city. Liangzhe was the most stable and wealthy place in the Song Dynasty. The weak Song army had just been defeated by the Mongolian army. The enemy was like a group of hungry wolves, and they were afraid that they would come to bite and snatch food again.
After getting these sporadic information from the merchants, he had already sensitively smelled the signal of danger. He returned to the tent and immediately sent an urgent report to the court, requesting Lin'an to send reinforcements.
When the prime minister Shi Zi's son received the urgent report from Yujie, he was shocked at first, but he calmed down immediately. He laughed at himself and thought to himself: Why panic? If the Mongolian army attacks again, it will be in Jiangbei.
There's a big river between us, so why should I be afraid of a bird?
Besides, there were many soldiers and horses in the important areas of the capital, so they could just pull the troops from the two towns across the river. He went to report the military situation to the emperor, and the emperor remembered that Zhao Yulin had made a memorial to remind him.
The emperor said that Zhao Yulin was worried that the northern barbarians' firearms would become very powerful after improvement, so he asked the front army to be careful.
Shi's son was upset. He looked down on Zhao Qi'er and hated Zhao Yulin. He said: Zhao Qi'er must be talking nonsense. How does he know that the new firearms made by the northern barbarians are so powerful?
Could it be that he is secretly communicating with the Northern Barbarians?
