In the Song Dynasty, there was no law or order.

There were a lot of charcoal fires burning in the tent, and it was as warm as spring.

Fan Zhongyan also followed what Zhao Jun said and opened several windows for ventilation in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Everyone came in one by one and took their seats. After everyone was seated, Fan Zhongyan asked curiously: "Zhongyi, I heard that you just left Bianliang four days ago, why did you come so fast?"

Wang Su smiled and said: "My husband doesn't know, but now the new canal from Bianliang to Hebei Road has been opened to navigation, and it only takes one day from Bianliang to Damingfu."

The straight-line distance from Daming Mansion to Kaifeng Mansion is actually only 170 kilometers. If you hurry up, you can reach it in one day.

However, in ancient times, due to the natural chasm of the Yellow River, it would be much slower. If we traveled by land, it would often take three or four days.

Now that the canal channel has been newly opened, even if the ship sails at a speed of 8 kilometers per hour, twenty-four hours a day can be said to be more than enough when traveling day and night.

Fan Zhongyan said with emotion: "Han Long's words are indeed true. If you want to get rich, you must first build a road. Once the road is clear, many things will be solved."

Wang Su smiled and said: "The Imperial Court is full of praise for the Prime Minister. This time, the government and the public are criticizing. If it were not for the full support of the Imperial Academy, I am afraid that all the officials in the court will now write letters to criticize the Prime Minister."

"Um?"

Fan Zhongyan frowned and said, "What's going on?"

"There are rumors about Bianliang recently."

Zhu Yunzhong, deputy envoy of the imperial guard, said: "It is said that my husband is sitting on the army in Hebei. If he has the will to rebel, he will immediately go south to invade Bianliang."

In an instant, Fan Zhongyan felt horrified, and he felt like he was being roasted on a fire.

He had been very careful before. Even when Wei Huanzhi said that he wanted to destroy the Liao Kingdom, he did not respond. In fact, he was deliberately reducing his influence.

Otherwise, if he speaks big words and threatens to destroy the Liao Kingdom, and this reaches the ears of the court, even if Zhao Zhen and Zhao Jun trust him, the civil and military officials of the court will probably spit in his face and kill him. The whole person was drowned.

But even so, there are already rumors in the government and the public.

If it was not what he expected, maybe when there were rumors in Bianliang, many officials in the court had already written letters to change him back.

really.

I heard Wang Su say: "In the past few days, many officials in the imperial court have written to impeach the husband. Even Uncle Ouyang Yong has spoken out and said that even if the commander cannot be changed, at least the supervisory army and two deputy managers must be sent. Checks and balances.”

Fan Zhongyan's face darkened. The military system of the Song Dynasty was partly inherited from the Tang system, that is, the military supervisory system, with eunuchs serving as supervisors.

However, the voice of the army in the early and mid-Northern Song Dynasty was mainly in the hands of civilian officials. The role of military supervisors was often to monitor the army, but did not directly intervene in military affairs. It was not until the late Northern Song Dynasty that Tong Guan and others became the chief generals of the army.

After Zhao Jun reformed the military system, although he still continued the old system in which the army was the unit and generals could only command five thousand people at most on weekdays, he abolished the army supervision system and no longer allowed eunuchs to supervise the army.

It's okay in peacetime, but once there is a war, the imperial court sends an envoy, who suddenly becomes the supreme commander of the army, and there is no one to supervise it, so the military power will be very powerful.

This is undoubtedly a very bold change, because even in later generations, our army still needs the commander-in-chief and the main commander to work together to fight. Many major military officers must discuss together before they can act. It is rare for a commander-in-chief to have such great power.

Therefore, it can be said that Fan Zhongyan was able to command the entire army of Hebei Road because Zhao Zhen gave him great trust. If Fan Zhongyan really wanted to rebel, with his prestige in the military, he could really threaten the imperial power.

If Fan Zhongyan had a bad temper, he would have been very angry when faced with this kind of behavior that was criticized by everyone in the government. He would not think about the pros and cons at all, but would curse these people as a scourge of the country.

But at this time, Fan Zhongyan was no longer the stupid young man who wanted to impeach Lu Yijian for promotion. He had already understood the stakes involved. What's more, even Ouyang Xiu had written a letter and knew how much turmoil this matter had caused to the courtiers.

Therefore, facing this situation, he could only sigh helplessly: "I understand the concerns of the imperial court, so it would be a good thing if the imperial court sends military supervisors and deputy managers."

Although doing so is likely to cause him to lose a lot of voice in the army, and there may even be some disagreements. For example, he wants to fight slowly, but some people want quick success and quick success and force the army to attack, just like the differences between him and Han Qi in history. , one wants to attack and the other wants to defend, causing losses to the army.

But there is nothing that can be done about it. If we don't do this, we won't be able to block the mouths of all the princes in the court, and we won't be able to calm down possible worries. Therefore, for the sake of stability in the rear, we have to give up part of the military power.

"If your husband thinks this way, it is not in vain that your majesty and the magistrate support your husband so much."

Wang Su smiled and then said: "This time Deputy Zhu and I are still responsible for the task of supervising the army. But don't worry, Sir, the Imperial Academy has already ordered us not to interfere in daily military affairs when we came. This is also for the sake of Good luck, Mr.

Fan Zhongyan nodded, sat there and cupped his hands and said, "Well, thank you both. Fan Xiwen would like to thank His Majesty, the Supreme Court, and the many ministers of the Constitutional Court for their trust in me. Please rest assured. If he discovers that I have different intentions, even if he kills me on the spot, Fan deserves it!"

"Your Majesty's words are serious."

Wang Su and Zhu Yunzhong quickly bowed their hands in return.

After finishing speaking, Zhu Yunzhong said with a smile: "What my husband doesn't know is that ever since there were rumors in Bianliang, the Imperial Court ordered the Imperial City Department to conduct a thorough investigation. As a result, guess what, my husband?"

"Is it possible that Xizuo from Liao is spreading rumors?"

Fan Zhongyan asked.

This is a very superficial counter-intentional plan, but some people believe it. From the Warring States Period to the Qin and Han Dynasties, and now to the present, such counter-intentional plans have emerged in endlessly throughout the dynasties.

However, it is understandable. After all, generals lead troops and hold great power. The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms have staged dramas of military generals seizing power every day. Even if the enemy does not spread rumors, those generals with military power will be jealous of the imperial power.

Isn’t this how Song Taizu released his military power over a glass of wine?

"Exactly."

Zhu Yunzhong said: "The Imperial City Division followed the clues and destroyed several dens carefully built by the Liao people, and captured more than a hundred Liao internal agents, including dozens of Han people who were bribed by them."

Fan Zhongyan sighed: "The Liao people are treacherous. They want to learn from the tactics of the King of Qin."

"But don't worry, Mr. Xian. The Imperial Court specially asked us to bring the edict to the camp and read it out in front of the camp. This is to tell the world that Mr. Xian is deeply trusted by the officials and the Imperial Household."

Wang Su said: "If the news spreads, it will naturally crush the Liao people's conspiracy."

"Um."

Fan Zhongyan nodded with a serious face.

Although it is very touching to be able to gain such trust, the attacks from within are still a bit chilling. At least those who wronged him will only think that he holds great power, but will not care whether he is truly loyal to the emperor and patriotic.

Of course, these are just different positions. Perhaps in his position as a courtier, he had witnessed so many tragedies of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, and when he suddenly saw someone with military power, he could not help but feel the urge to impeach.

Wang Su continued: "Besides coming here to declare to the world the trust the court has in our husband, there is another thing."

"What's the matter?"

Fan Zhongyan was puzzled.

Wang Su pointed at a middle-aged official in the imperial guard wearing a seventh-grade official uniform and said, "My lord, please take a look."

Fan Zhongyan looked over, and the middle-aged official stood up quickly and said in thick Youyan northern dialect: "My lower official Liu Sangu (gu) has met Fan Xianggong."

"Who is this?"

Fan Zhongyan was puzzled.

Wang Su smiled and said: "Liu Fengli is now the Fengli Lang of Taichang Temple, but he also has another identity."

Fan Zhongyan looked at him quietly, waiting for the next step.

Wang Su said: "Liu Fengli was born in the Liu family of Changping, and Liu Liufu, the current prime minister of the Northern Prefecture of Liao Kingdom, is his brother."

"oh?"

Fan Zhongyan looked over in surprise.

Liu Sanguo cupped his hands to him with a wry smile.

Between the Liao and Song Dynasties, many Han people from the border Song state fled to the Liao state because they could not bear the high taxes, but few Liao people fled to the Song state.

This was all because the Liao State was powerful and domestic taxes were not high, and if any Han people from the Liao State fled to the Song State, the Song State would repatriate them. As a result, the Han people in Youyan lost the hearts of the people of the Song State and no longer trusted the Song Dynasty.

Especially Liao officials, basically none of them would come over. Therefore, it is indeed a rare thing for Liao officials to come to the Song Dynasty.

In fact, this is indeed the case.

Liu Sangu fled south because he was persecuted by the powerful.

She was said to be a powerful person, but she was actually his wife.

As a prominent family in Changping, the Liu family often intermarried with the royal family and concubines.

The wives his brothers married were basically girls from the Yelu family or the Xiao family, as a link to their marriage with the royal family.

Liu Sangu's wife, Princess Yelu Bage of Tongchang, was the daughter of Liao Shengzong and the real sister of Yelu Zong.

However, Princess Tongchang was not a direct descendant, but a concubine, and her status was relatively low.

But even if she is a concubine, she is still a princess of the Liao Kingdom, so it is conceivable that Liu Sangu's younger brother's status in the family is high.

Unable to bear the fierceness of his wife, Liu Sangu secretly took a concubine and gave birth to an illegitimate child.

When Yelu Bage found out, he was furious and threatened to kill his concubine and illegitimate son, so Liu Sangu sneaked away to the Song Dynasty with his concubine and son.

Historically, after Liu Sangu arrived in the Song Dynasty, in order to prove his worth, he leaked many secrets of the Liao Kingdom to the Song Dynasty, including many military secrets, including the situation of the Liao Kingdom's troops stationed in various places.

However, the Song Dynasty was weak and incompetent. Under pressure from the Liao Kingdom, Zhao Zhen took Du Yan's suggestion and sent him back.

"History of the Liao" records that Liu Sangu was killed by Brother Yelu immediately after he was sent back. His concubine and son were also executed, which was quite pitiful.

But the Song Dynasty will no longer be like this.

It was in the Qingli period at this time. Liu Sangu came to the Song Dynasty secretly at the beginning of this year. The Liao Kingdom didn't even know where he went. In the second half of this year, he was imprisoned in the imperial city because he came here secretly and did not have an ID card. Si caught.

After the Constitutional Yuan learned of his situation, he was asked to follow the imperial guards to the front line.

First, you can obtain some Liao secrets through him.

Secondly, he also said that he could try to instigate rebellion against the Liu family in Changping. If successful, it would be a counter-intentional plan against the Liao Kingdom.

Wang Su briefly explained the situation to Fan Zhongyan, and then said: "The Zhiyuan said that since the Liao people want to use counterintuitive tactics against us, we can also use countermeasures against them. The Liao Kingdom is now in decline. I believe Liu will understand what knowledge means. Those who are in charge of current affairs are heroes.”

"He who knows the current affairs is a hero."

Fan Zhongyan rolled his eyes at him, and then smiled and said: "This is called recognizing one's ancestors and returning to the clan. The Han people in Yanyun have been away from their homeland for too long. This is where we, the Song Dynasty, have neglected our duties. Now we should strengthen the righteousness and eliminate evil, regain the lost territory, and let The Yanyun Han people have returned to the embrace of the Song Dynasty."

Liu Sangu was very moved by these words, and he looked at Fan Zhongyan with gratitude. After all, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were ceded from the Later Jin Dynasty. They had been under the rule of the Liao Kingdom for more than a hundred years, and their actual identities were all Liao people.

So Liu Sangu's current behavior was no different from treason.

But Fan Zhongyan found a reasonable excuse for him, that is, his Han identity. This suddenly became a contradiction between the nation and the country, so his treasonous behavior was covered up from the perspective of national consciousness, which gave Liu Sangu a way out.

"Yes, yes, yes."

Wang Su realized the problem and quickly changed his words: "If the Liu family can recognize their ancestors and return to their roots, this will be a great cause for the ages."

"Hahahaha."

Fan Zhongyan laughed and said: "The magistrate said that the Chinese nation should be united, not only with a broad mind, but also with a heart that tolerates the world. Han people from all over the world are brothers and sisters. How can we not welcome brothers and sisters home?"

Liu Sangu was already in tears, and he said with a bow: "Your subordinate. Your subordinate is grateful and willing to serve the Song Dynasty. He will go through fire and water without hesitation."

As he said this, he took out a letter from his arms, walked to Fan Zhongyan and handed it over respectfully: "Sir, your subordinate sent a servant to secretly return to the Liao Kingdom and went to the mansion of my fourth brother Liu Siduan to hand over the letter. Later, my fourth brother replied. This is written by him personally."

"Oh?"

Fan Zhongyan took the letter and opened it to read.

In addition to daily greetings, the most important thing in the letter is that it contains a lot of military secrets.

For example, while Liu Siduan was asking about Liu Sangu's recent situation, he told him in a concerned tone that Liao had decided to fight to the death with Song and asked him to be careful.

There was a lot of military information in the words and deeds. Although it was not said explicitly, it was actually no different from saying it explicitly.

However, Fan Zhongyan did not comment after reading it.

After all, he did not know whether the content of the letter was true or not, and secondly, it would not be enough if it was just like this.

If you want to truly surrender to the Song Dynasty, you can't be two-faced and just think of revealing some military secrets as a token of surrender?

How is that possible?

You still need to show actual sincerity.

Fan Zhongyan said lightly: "Well, very good, but Yelu Zong really wants to fight to the death, which is also within our expectations. We have already made preparations."

What this means is that the value of this letter is not great, and this little information alone is not enough to exchange for the status of the Liu family after surrendering.

Liu Sangu naturally understood this and said quickly: "I think this is a good start. This proves that our Liu family is willing to return to our ancestors and return to the Song Dynasty. Please give me some time and I will write again."

"That's good."

Fan Zhongyan smiled and said: "If the Liu family can instigate some generals to surrender, that will be the greatest merit. My Song Dynasty can reduce bloodshed and recover Yanyun without bloodshed. You Liu family should be credited with the first merit."

"Thank you, sir!"

Liu Sangu was very excited and full of energy.

If this is really possible, after their Liu family surrenders to the Song Dynasty, their status will be as stable as Mount Tai.

And he, Liu Sangu, will also be the greatest contributor to the family.