Future library

Daxia's political hall operates as slowly as ever.

At the beginning of the birth of this huge empire, its founders did not consider that one day, decision-makers would be required to make a judgment that would determine the future direction of the country within two or three days. Because of this, when the gentlemen of the Political Hall received news from the four provinces, there was not enough time for discussion.

Every gentleman in the political hall represents certain interest groups-civilian groups, aristocrats, maritime merchants, salt merchants, iron merchants, military eunuchs, local and central government, etc., and everyone has to make a decision before making a decision. I hope it will be considered as completely as possible.

It's a pity that Cheng Jinzhou didn't give them a time to think about it.

In the dilapidated and small political hall, Sun Jifeng, the Minister of Rites, was the first to ask: "Master Zhao, didn't you say you wanted to test Cheng Jinzhou's reaction? Now that you have seen his reaction, what should you do?"

The so-called Lord Zhao is really Zhao Ling, the chief of the Zongfu Department and the counselor of political affairs. The title of Councilor for Political Affairs allows him to participate in discussions at the Political Affairs Hall, while the title of Chief of Zongfu is his real title, indicating that he has the right to manage the nobles of the country. Of course, those who can sit in this position are all children of the royal family. Now Zhao Ling is the cousin of His Majesty the Emperor. With the title of prince, he is superior to others everywhere.

In the entire political hall, except for Sun Jifeng, who could rely on his elders to flatter Zhao Ling, other officials were somewhat lacking in qualifications. However, the civil servant group and the aristocratic group have never been dealt with. The idea that Zhao Ling came up with now has to be held accountable by the civil servants from the four provinces, and no one is happy.

Zhao Ling is considered young among a group of political officials. He is forty-five or six years old, and he lives a relaxed life. His beard and hair are black, and his skin is white. He is completely different from the aging style in official circles. He said what he wanted to say: "His Majesty the Emperor agreed to what the Third Prince ordered, and you are all aware of it. Haven't you all considered this kind of thing a long time ago? What, you want to see my joke?"

Due to Zhao Ling's special status, he has a habit of speaking that seems to be out of his mind, and is often praised as "straightforward" by the nobles. However, in a place like the Political Hall, surrounded by a group of old-school civil servants, his words are not so pleasing. .

Sun Jifeng acted as a guide to everyone in a tacit understanding and said sternly: "No matter who asked for it, you are in charge of this matter. If something goes wrong now, you will be responsible."

"Didn't Cheng Jinzhou want soldiers to fight against the Northern Han Dynasty? We'll just give them to him."

"That is something that has been promised. And attacking the Northern Han Dynasty will also be good for us." The person who spoke was Liu Zhencao, the Privy Council's chief minister. In the era when civilian officials were in charge of the army, not only the position of Minister of War must be reserved for civilian officials, but also the position of Minister of War must be reserved for civilian officials. The civil servants were retained, and even all the positions in the Privy Council were retained by the civil servants. In fact, this is also one of the directions of social development. When it becomes more developed, gentlemen who have received state education will increasingly control central power, while soldiers who rely on battlefield skills and physical skills will increasingly lose their power. status.

"Changing the country's political policy because of a star warlock?" Zhao Ling deliberately said in a mocking tone: "If another star warlock says next year that we want to attack Jingnan, wouldn't we have to fight on three fronts?"

"The strategy for Daliang will be changed to strategic defense." Liu Zhencao made a slight noise and leaned forward.

"Humph." Zhao Ling made an expression like this.

Sun Jifeng whispered: "Master Zhao, there is nothing we can do against Cheng Jinzhou, so why should we provoke him?"

"One million taels of silver, and probably tens of millions of taels of silver, so what if you take a little risk." Zhao Ling said, looking at the disapproving expressions of the people around him, and said in a flash: "This time I invite 20 star warlocks have arrived and will talk to Cheng Jinzhou."

"If Mr. Zhao is willing to talk, that would be best." The others looked at each other. They all did not want the civil service group to take responsibility. After hearing what Zhao Ling said, their expressions softened.

Liu Zhencao had done a lot of military work and asked one more question: "I heard that Cheng Jinzhou killed more than 20 star warlocks. I hope you don't want to threaten with force."

"Of course not, I'm going to take someone with me."

"oh?"

"Liu Bin." Zhao Ling laughed and said, "Liu Bin has been serving as the transfer envoy to Hexi for a year, but he has not completed the land survey, and there is no way to talk about reform. Since he likes it so much Reform, then send him to the four provinces to be a transshipment envoy."

Liu Bin's ultimate reform goal was to equally distribute the land, and he had long become a thorn in the side of the nobles. Although the reform itself is conducive to royal rule, as Zhao Ling's status as prince, he doesn't care what will happen to the royal family and what the future will be like. The ruler is not his son anyway.

Therefore, in the early stages of Liu Bin's reform, the nobles, including the capital, would do their best to obstruct him. Now that they have the opportunity, they want to transfer him away from Hexi to prevent the reform from actually proceeding.

The gentlemen of the pure civil service group actually supported the reform, so they did not want Liu Bin to leave Hexi.

After a tacit understanding of each other, Sun Jifeng mused: "Cheng Jinzhou has sent away all his fiancées. At this time..."

"That's to prevent the Northern Han Dynasty." Zhao Ling interrupted him.

Liu Zhencao said something rare at this time: "Why is he so interested in the Northern Han Dynasty?"

"The Cheng family seems to be having trouble with their Northern Han ancestors?"

"Then there's no need to be afraid of them." Liu Zhencao stood up and whispered: "Actually, I've been thinking recently that with the strength of the Northern Han Dynasty, without those star warlocks from De'an, we can all defend ourselves, so now Why is he scared again?"

Everyone fell silent. Zhengshitang is not some small outside institution. The gentlemen here do not discuss things that may or may not happen. Most people's habit of asking why is to send someone to figure it out rather than guessing themselves.

Zhao Ling looked around, stood up and said, "I'm going to the Royal Star Warlock Association. I won't give them the silver from the four provinces."

After saying that, he stood up and left without waiting for the political hall meeting to end.

After leaving the small shabby house in Zhengshitang, Zhao Ling hummed a song proudly. Even though he is pretending to be nonchalant inside, you can see his subconscious restraint just by not daring to hum a song. Of course, his is a princely restraint, which is different from those small officials from other places. .

Zhao Ling had reason to be proud. Among so many people in the Political Hall, he was the only one who discovered the biggest difference between the Star Warlock Association and the Holy Church - whether a gathering could be held to promote the Holy Religion.

The answer to the Star Warlock Association is of course "no", and the choice of the Templar is ambiguous.

Zhao Ling has collected information from many countries. These information let him know that in any country where the Holy Church is dominant, holding rallies to promote the Holy Religion is a very popular way of preaching, and in any country where the Star Warlock Association is dominant - They are few in number, and they often do not allow direct missionary gatherings.

The purpose of gatherings is to gather the masses, and the main leader of the masses is not the Star Warlock, but the government. By managing the masses, Zhao Ling is qualified to talk to the gentlemen of the Star Warlock Association.

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