Northern Song Dynasty Justice

Chapter 660 War and Peace

On the way to the palace in the carriage, Zhang Fei's expression became more serious. The more he thought about it, the more headache he had. Now he had no time to think deeply about whether he would go or not, but the conflict between Wang Anshi and Sima Guang.

Prior to this, he had just brought together Wang Anshi and Sima Guang to make a compromise on the issue of Jingdong East Road.

Now Jingdong East Road is just the beginning, if the two of them quarrel too much over the use of troops against Xihe, it will directly affect Jingdong East Road.

This really moves the whole body.

But when he came to the palace and saw Zhao Xu, Zhang Fei's expression immediately changed, and he immediately stepped forward to say congratulations, "Congratulations to the official family, congratulations to the official family for restoring my homeland of China."

Zhao Xu also seemed very happy, he laughed, "Congratulations! Congratulations! Don't stand, sit down."

After Zhang Fei sat down, Zhao Xu immediately drank three glasses of wine with him.

I can fully feel that Zhao Xu's heart is very surging.

Putting down his wine glass, Zhao Xu said with emotion again: "At the beginning I agreed to adopt Wang Shao's strategy of opening borders, but I felt a little uneasy. After all, financial difficulties were at that time. If I wanted to raise troops, there would be a lot of obstacles, and many people in the court opposed it. Fortunately, Wang Shao Shao has lived up to my painstaking efforts and recovered the five prefectures of Xihe one after another, which is the largest territorial recovery in our dynasty since Taizu Taizong."

At this time, the little emperor was elated when he spoke.

If this credit was placed in the Tang Dynasty, it would be a bit shabby, but in the Northern Song Dynasty, it would be really great, because since Zhao Kuangyi failed in the Northern Expedition, the cause of the Song Dynasty's recovery of the territory was really very bumpy.

This time, most of the territory of Xihe was recovered, and the trend of double-teaming Xixia was completed, wouldn't it be exciting?

Zhang Fei quickly offered another flattery, talking endlessly.

In this kind of thing, no matter how flattering you are, you can't go wrong.

Zhao Xu also reciprocated, and said with a smile: "You have also contributed a lot to this battle. It is precisely because of your military trial that the morale of our army's front line has been greatly boosted, so that we can win consecutive battles."

This is true. Although the opening of the Xihe River in history was very successful at the beginning, because the local Qiang people and Tubo people were not united and attacked each other. Wang Shao pulled a wave and fought a wave and achieved very large success.

But the military trial and the disarmament in the past two years undoubtedly accelerated this process. Because of the military trial, the front-line generals don’t need to be so afraid of civilian officials. , Coupled with the disarmament, the frontline soldiers can get full military pay, and the morale is of course high!

"No, no, no! The officials have praised you." Zhang Fei shook his head again and again, "This is all about the wise officials. I don't have any credit for it. I'm really ashamed to say it. I didn't even know there was a war over there."

He really didn't know, in fact, during the first two years he was in Hezhong Mansion, Wang Shao was also in Hezhong Mansion, so he didn't ask these things.

Zhao Xu said with a smile: "You may not know, but it is inextricably related to you. In Wang Shao's success report, he favored your public security law, and asked you to go to Xihe Wuzhou by name. Build public security law."

Zhang Fei's expression changed, he nodded and said: "I just heard about this from my father-in-law."

Seeing his strange expression, Zhao Xu couldn't help asking, "Then would you like to go?"

Zhang Fei asked back, "Does the official family want me to go?"

Zhao Xu hardly hesitated, and said: "Although there are many things that need you to deal with here, Xihe needs you more. There are many Qiang and Tubo people there. If they are not managed properly, there will be more turmoil , tired of coping.

In Wang Shao's memorial, he also wrote very reasonably. He believed that if Confucianism was used to educate those Qiang and Tubo people, it would be against local customs and might be counterproductive. Promote locally.

This is just one, and the second is the issue of military expenditures. At present, the taxation of the five prefectures of Xihe River is meager, which is not enough to support the local military expenditures. Trade mainly focuses on commercial taxes to make up for the shortage of military expenditure.

Wang Shao believes that the Hezhong government has proved that the public security law is very beneficial to business development, so he strongly urges the imperial court to send you to build the public security law immediately. "

Zhang Fei nodded frequently when he heard it, "The vision of envoy Wang Xuanfu is really good."

Zhao Xu laughed, and asked again: "Then what do you think?"

Zhang Fei pondered for a while, and said: "Guan, are the local chiefs still there?"

Zhao Xu said: "This campaign can achieve such great results because Wang Shao lured many chiefs to surrender."

Zhang Fei asked again: "I wonder how the public prosecutor and the law will deal with these chiefs?"

These chiefs are no better than the officials in the capital. They have strong soldiers and horses in their hands. Isn't it funny that you go to enforce the law with them?

Zhao Xu frowned and said, "That is to say, you think the public prosecutor's law is not suitable for the Xihe area?"

Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "That's not true. In fact, what Wang Xuanfu said is quite right, the law of the legal system is better than the law of Confucianism, and the combination of commerce and public security law can indeed quickly restore the local people's livelihood. , once people’s livelihood is restored, the region will stabilize.”

Zhao Xu nodded slightly when he heard it, and waited for the next sentence.

Zhang Fei said: "But the problem is also obvious. The public security law emphasizes governance according to law, but at present, it is difficult to restrain those chiefs."

Zhao Xu asked, "Is that okay or not?"

"Row!"

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "But it must be done step by step, that is, let Wang Xuanfu set up a special administrative area in a traffic hub, specifically for people from all sides to trade, and then build a public security law in such a trade town, so Once it comes, those great chiefs can be avoided, and at the same time, the local people can gradually become familiar with the public security law.

I believe that the Public Security Law will soon capture the local people, and there will be more and more supporters. It goes without saying that they must have been oppressed a lot before. When the time is right, they will slowly spread it to the surrounding areas, and use the Public Security Law to weaken those people. The power of the great chieftain, thus stabilizing the court's rule over the local area. "

Zhao Xu's eyes lit up, he nodded and said: "Not bad! Not bad! I think this strategy is feasible, and I will leave it to you to handle this matter. Don't worry about Wang Shao, since he asked you to go by name, he will naturally assist you in building Public prosecutors will not add trouble to you."

Zhang Fei said: "Officials, this matter is easy to say, but it is difficult to do. At present, I am not sure."

Zhao Xu frowned, "If you are not sure, then no one in the court can take on this important task."

Zhang Fei said: "I'm not sure because I don't know anything about the situation over there. If I go rashly, if I fail, there will be many people who will use this to attack me and put all the responsibility on me." And this is very likely, because our army has just captured the Xihe area, and everything is not stable yet, if I die by then, the public security and law enforcement will also face a great impact."

At this point, he changed the subject, "But if another person is sent to go, the situation is different. Even if they fail, I will still be there. As long as I don't take action, it cannot be said that the public security law failed locally. Then we will If you go again, you will get twice the result with half the effort.”

Only then did Zhao Xu suddenly realize: "So you wanted to send a team to explore the way first."

Zhang Fei hurriedly said: "Exactly."

At present, he is the incarnation of the public security law. If he fails, it will really be irreversible. If someone else is sent, even if he fails, everyone will still place hope on him.

Zhao Xu said: "But if we send someone else, I won't worry."

Zhang Fei said: "If the special administrative region is divided, then don't worry too much. Before the situation gets out of control, Wang Xuanfu will be able to replace it immediately."

Zhao Xu nodded slightly and felt that Zhang Fei's considerations were reasonable. He didn't know much about the situation over there at the moment. If he went there rashly, what if he failed? If he couldn't send anyone behind, not even the chief judge, then who would be there? It can be done, but this will have a huge impact on the police, procuratorate, and law. He asked again: "Then who do you think we should send?"

Zhang Fei said: "As for the president of the court, I do have a very suitable candidate."

"Who is it?" Zhao Xu asked hastily.

Zhang Fei said: "Lv Dajun in Lantian County, I don't know if the officials know him?"

"Lu Dajun?"

Zhao Xu pondered for a while, "But Lu Dafang's younger brother?"

"Exactly."

Zhang Fei nodded.

Zhao Xu wondered, "Does this person know the public prosecutor's law?"

He thought that Zhang Fei would recommend Cai Bian and the others, but he didn't know that Zhang Fei recommended someone who had nothing to do with the public security department.

Zhang Fei said: "This person has studied the public security law very thoroughly. When he was in Hezhong Prefecture, he was the one who created the "Lantian Township Treaty" to prevent the public security law from entering the village."

After Zhao Xu heard this, he was very upset and said, "Then you still recommend him?"

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "He has studied me, and I have also studied him. Although he is respectful of etiquette, he has a little characteristic that many people don't have, including Cai Bian and Shangguan Jun. He is very suitable for going to Xihe Wuzhou .”

Zhao Xu asked: "What characteristics."

Zhang Fei said: "It means that etiquette does not distinguish between scholars and common people, and law does not distinguish between Hua and Yi. The most difficult part of going to the five prefectures of Xihe to build public security laws is how to treat the local Han, Qiang, and Tubo people. We must treat them equally, otherwise , the public security law is bound to fail, and the local area cannot be effectively governed.

I haven't taught Cai Bian and others about this point yet, but Lu Dajun respects this idea, which is very important, and letting him go will be able to appease the local people very well.

In addition, although Lu Dajun is not currently serving in the Public Prosecution Law, he knows how to make laws and abide by the law. The rules of the Public Procuratorate have been established in Hezhong Mansion. It is also very important to destroy easily. "

In fact, Zhang Fei has studied Lu Dajun, but not because he fought in the Hezhong Mansion, but because "Lu's Township Covenant" is also of great research value in the legal field, so he also studied Lu Dajun. Not only is he upright, he is well versed in the law, but the key is to have the idea of ​​one family under heaven, which is very important.

If you advocate the distinction between Hua and Yi, and then apply this idea to public security law, and then apply it to the Xihe land where Qiang, Tubo, and Han people are mixed together, there will definitely be problems.

Zhao Xu was a little hesitant, and recommended someone he didn't know very well, and said, "But is he compatible with Wang Xuanfu?"

Zhang Fei said: "Since the envoy Wang Xuan suggested to let me go, I think he can get along with anyone, after all, I am even less human. Anyway, he is just going to explore the way, if it is not possible, I will go there."

Zhao Xu nodded slightly, "What about the procuratorate?"

"this.."

Zhang Fei couldn't help scratching his head, "Chief Prosecutor Su still has to sit in Hezhong, and Hezhong is related to the rations of the front line, so we can't let him go. The only candidate is Mr. Fan Zhenfan."

"Fan Zhen?"

Zhao Xu opened his eyes.

Not long ago, due to the dispute over the Qingmiao Law, he had already promoted Fan Zhen to an official position. Only a short time later, he promoted him again. Isn't this a slap in his face?

Zhang Fei also knew Zhao Xu's doubts, but he still said: "Officials, there are very few people who can stand alone in the public security law!"

Zhao Xu struggled for a while, and said, "I don't mind, but Fan Zhen and Wang Shao will definitely fight among themselves. There are some things you don't understand."

Zhang Fei said: "What the officials are saying is that Mr. Wen and Bachelor Sima are all strongly opposing Xihe's strategy of opening borders?"

Zhao Xu was surprised and said, "You know?"

Zhang Fei said: "My father-in-law told me something."

Zhao Xu said: "Then you still arrange it like this, let alone Sima Junshi, they won't agree, even the husband won't agree."

Wang Shao was strongly recommended by Wang Anshi, and Fan Zhen is the core backbone of the conservative faction. Will it be possible to bring them together?

Zhang Fei said: "It is precisely because I know this clearly that I suggest letting Mr. Fan go."

Zhao Xu asked curiously: "Why?"

Zhang Fei said: "Officials, internally we can reason as much as we want, but externally we must be united, so that we can exert our power. Now that the official has won a big victory, those who opposed it before must feel uncomfortable.

If at this time, the officials go to show off their power to them and belittle them, then they will definitely oppose this strategy desperately. As long as there is a problem there, they will definitely stand up and accuse. The pressure faced by the officials will be Multiplied.

It just so happened that the envoy Wang Xuanfu instructed the public prosecutor to go! "

Zhao Xu interrupted him, "Actually, he wants you to go, not the public prosecutor's office."

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "I also know this, but he wrote about the public security law, why don't the officials let Bachelor Sima and the others join in and work together to manage the local area well, so that everyone's pressure will be less, and the possibility of success will be greater .”

"I didn't expect you to think so carefully." Zhao Xu looked moved, and said: "Even if I am willing to compromise, they will not be willing."

Zhang Fei said: "I will convince them."

Zhao Xu was surprised and said: "Can you convince me?" He really didn't believe it.

This involves partisanship, partisanship is unreasonable, how do you persuade.

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Isn't this my role?"

Zhao Xu thought to himself, after all, he is young and energetic, and actually wants to show off his might, but Zhang Fei's words also worried him, how arrogant you are now, if something goes wrong there, you will be slapped in the face How ruthless it is, it is easy to attack the city, but difficult to defend the city, not to mention that there are not all Han people there, once he fails, this will indeed bring him a lot of pressure.

The art of politics is compromise, not vindictiveness.

After thinking twice, Zhao Xu said: "That's fine, you go to discuss with them first, if they all agree, I have no objection. In addition, as for the police station, let Cao Dongdong and the others go."

"They can't."

Zhang Fei hurriedly said: "Those boys, once there is a war, they will definitely lead the royal police forward, and it will be completely over. The role of the police station is mainly to stabilize the rear. But I think Chief Superintendent Cao is Very suitable candidate.

Different from the imperial court and the procuratorate, the police station is the most likely to have conflicts with the people, and it has just been recovered, and it is currently under the direct jurisdiction of the army. When the police station takes over, it is very likely that there will be conflicts with the local soldiers. The superintendent must have a person with enough weight to hold the line. "

Zhao Xu nodded thoughtfully.

This is just right, Wang Shao is Wang Anshi's person, Fan Zhen is Sima Guang's person, and Cao Ping is someone else, so a balance can be achieved.

On the other hand, once the balance is broken, there will be endless internal friction and each other will be held back.

It can be seen that everything has two sides.

This kind of operation is actually very dangerous.

Zhao Xu was still a little worried, so he said, "Go and discuss with them first, and then we can talk about it later."

"Yes."

Zhang Fei nodded.

But Zhang Fei was still used to find them. As soon as he left the palace and came to the imperial city, Zhang Fei was kidnapped by Sima Guang.

"Have the officials looked for you?"

Seeing Zhang Fei, Sima Guang asked directly.

Zhang Fei nodded.

Sima Guang asked again: "But let you go to the land of Xihe to build a public security law?"

Zhang Fei nodded again.

Sima Guang frowned and asked, "Then you still agree?"

Zhang Fei said: "I refused."

Sima Guang looked happy, and asked again: "Why?"

Zhang Fei said truthfully: "Wang Shao is eager to let me go. There must be a lot of problems there that cannot be solved. I went there without any preparation. If something goes wrong, I must be responsible. After all, I have many problems now." A thorn in the side and a thorn in the flesh of the ministers of the DPRK, they are looking for opportunities to deal with me everywhere."

A smile appeared on Sima Guang's face, "Sure enough, you boy did not disappoint me, you are very thoughtful. Don't go there, this is a trap.

Although Xihe Wuzhou is my old land in the Central Plains, since the chaos of the Tang Dynasty, that land has not been controlled by the Central Plains for more than a hundred years. It is said to be the old land, but in fact it is more like Xinjiang. The local people have long been ignorant of the Central Plains. , people's hearts are divided, and they want to have complete control. This is definitely not something that the public prosecutors and the law can accomplish.

At the time when the government decided to open the Xihe River, I disagreed. Now that the people's power in the northwest has not recovered, they are eager to expand the border. Even if they win a big victory, they will not be able to collect taxes from the local area. It is also necessary to weaken our army's defensive strength on the Western Front.

Sure enough, the other side is now facing this problem. Why did Wang Shao ask you to go? It’s not that he advocates the public security law, but that he wants to use your talents to solve the local military expenditure.

But to solve this problem, we can only transport food from the Northwest. The Northwest’s finances have just started to improve. If you want to raise military expenses, you must increase taxes. "

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "I know all about this, but the problem is that you didn't stop this strategy at the beginning. Now that the matter has come to an end, should I just stand by and watch? It is impossible for me to ignore my achievements, after all, being an official is not fighting spirit."

Speaking of the latter, he was upright.

Sima Guang's expression changed, his old face turned slightly red, "I am not letting you ignore it, but the problem is that there is almost no other way to solve it except increasing the burden on the people in the northwest.

And if something goes wrong, they will put all the responsibility on us.That's what they did when they went back to Hezhong Mansion last time. "

Last time, Wang Anshi attributed all the credit for the Hezhong government to the New Deal, which aroused great dissatisfaction among the conservatives.

Once bitten, twice shy.

Zhang Fei said righteously: "It is precisely because of this that we have to work harder, otherwise the people in the northwest will bear too much burden, right?"

Sima Guang was stunned, and looked at Zhang Fei for a moment, "Your boy is different today. In the past, you were full of interests, but today you open your mouth to show the righteousness of the world. You are deliberately mocking the old man."

"Don't dare!"

Zhang Fei broke his merits immediately, he laughed, and said helplessly: "The main reason is that I have no choice, so I might as well say it righteously."

Sima Guang said: "Didn't you refuse?"

Zhang Fei said: "I just refuse to go now, I suggest that the officials should send people to explore the road first, familiarize themselves with the local conditions, and then I will go there."

Sima Guang sighed, "Let me tell you, how could you reject the official family so easily? I see."

Zhang Fei said embarrassingly: "Scholar Sima, if we don't want to fight, we will fight and the territory will be taken. We have to find a way to reduce the burden on the people and the country. If we don't want to, let them do whatever they want, we can do it again." What benefit."

"Aren't you afraid that you are helping Zhou? This matter is by no means as simple as you think."

Sima Guang shook his head, "Actually, it is absolutely correct to expand the Xihe River at the border, strategically speaking, it can make Xixia suffer from the enemy, and put our country in a strategic advantage. But war requires the right time, place and people, and these three things are not there now. Our army. Now that the country’s finances are beyond its means, and there are many internal conflicts, it is definitely not a good time to expand the border. But does Wang Jiefu not know about this? Have you ever thought about why Wang Jiefu is still eager to push Xihe to expand the border?”

Zhang Fei frowned slightly and said, "Scholar Wang has always wanted to regain his homeland."

"He has such ambitions, but he is not in a hurry." Sima Guang said: "The reason why Wang Jiefu is so anxious is that he hopes to get more firm support from the officials.

If you think about it carefully, if there were no troops to fight, then the country would not urgently need a large amount of financial expenditure, so why would Wang Jiefu push the court to make money?

Only by actively expanding borders and recruiting troops abroad will Wang Jiefu's position be more stable, because the main purpose of the New Deal is to make money for the country, and officials will be unable to do without him.

But this is very dangerous. What is good at the top will be bad at the bottom. At that time, border officials will actively promote foreign wars. At that time, the country will be in danger.

The role of our public security law in this is to restrain him, avoid exploiting the people on the grounds of raising troops abroad, and let him know that now the country cannot afford to raise troops abroad. Come on, is it really worth it? "

Is that really the case?Although it sounds reasonable, Wang Anshi made money for the purpose of fighting!It's hard for Zhang Fei to judge whether Wang Anshi has considered this.

But he thinks that Sima Guang is right in one thing, that is, the attitude of the emperor and the prime minister will determine the way border officials handle foreign affairs, which may lead to more wars.

Zhang Fei thought about it for a while, and asked, "So, Scholar Sima hopes to use the public security law to protect the interests of the people in the Northwest, and avoid Scholar Wang's local tax increases."

Sima Guang nodded and said: "That's exactly the case. Without raising taxes for the common people, it is impossible to satisfy Xihe Tuobian. At that time, Wang Jiefu will definitely reveal his true colors. The officials are still young, and they don't know at all. In this battle, he can only enjoy it for a while, but the people have to suffer for ten years.

For example, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty had the support of the rule of Wen and Jing, and he almost destroyed the country and his family. Taizong of the Tang Dynasty was a great man with great talent and martial arts, but he also knew that he signed the Weishui alliance. After the national power recovered, he would try to dominate .

And my Song Dynasty is now poor and white, and still burdened with three redundant burdens, why should I expand the territory. "

Speaking of the latter part, Sima Guang's eyes were filled with tears. His family background is similar to ours. Can this compare?

Zhang Fei asked: "Did Bachelor Sima ever say this to the officials?"

Sima Guang said: "Of course I have said that, I suggest that the officials should rest and recuperate for the time being, rectify the administration of officials, restore people's livelihood, accumulate national strength, and seek hegemony after the national strength is sufficient."

At this point, he sighed, "It's a pity that the officials didn't listen to my suggestions."

Zhang Fei said: "If Bachelor Sima just said these few words, then I can understand why the officials didn't listen to Bachelor Sima."

Sima Guang frowned, "Why?"

Zhang Fei replied: "I agree with Bachelor Sima's concerns very much, but if Bachelor Sima wants to convince the officials, he must come up with a complete set of strategic plans similar to Zhuge Liang's "Longzhong Dui", which will take several years to recover. When to send troops, Xixia will be destroyed in a few years. The officials want to regain their homeland and don’t want to be beaten passively. This is by no means a wrong strategic thinking, because begging can’t bring peace.”

This sentence directly asked Sima Guang's weakness. He thought very carefully. He could think of what kind of problems he would encounter and what the consequences would be. After all, he studied history and used history as a mirror. It can be seen that the rise and fall, but he can't come up with a better strategy.

Whether internally or externally.

From this point of view, Sima Guang has not reached the realm of Wang Anshi, let alone be compared with Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui.

The talent of a prime minister must have a grand strategy.

It would be best for Sima Guang to become the deputy prime minister and analyze the strategic deficiencies. He is very good at this, but if he wants to accomplish his ambitions, he must use an unworldly talent like Wang Anshi.

If the two of them work together, with Wang Anshi as the main and Sima Guang as the assistant, it is actually a very classic combination. Wang Anshi can propose a strategy, and Sima Guang can help him fix it. Unfortunately, their personalities are so similar, and their mouths are tougher than ducks. .

Sima Guang is also a chicken thief, pretending not to take it seriously: "As long as the national power is strong, are you afraid that no one will offer advice? But everything has a priority, and actively recruiting troops abroad when the national power is weak will only lead to internal and external troubles. The country is ruined and the family is destroyed."

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "But if we, the Public Security Bureau, do not actively participate, what can we do to limit their loss of people's power in the northwest? At that time, will the officials still consider the Public Security Bureau?"

Sima Guang frowned slightly, stroked his beard and asked, "What's your plan?"

Zhang Fei said: "Now they need us, and this is the best time for us to negotiate terms. We must make the officials guarantee that before the land of Xihe is completely stabilized, no further external troops can be used and we can only consolidate the defense. Otherwise, Otherwise, the country simply cannot afford it.”

Sima Guang said: "Can the officials agree?"

Zhang Fei said: "If you don't agree, then we don't care about it, and we can't control it anyway."

Sima Guang hesitated for a while, "But can you solve Xihe's financial expenses without raising taxes?"

Zhang Fei said: "No matter what the purpose of Wang Xuanfu's suggestion for me to go is, his suggestion is very correct. The biggest advantage of the Xihe area is trade, and the public security area does promote the development of trade. If you want to solve Xihe's finances, This is also the only solution.

But I'm not sure yet, so I'll send someone there first to explore the way, and then I'll go there. "

Sima Guang asked again: "Then who do you recommend to go?"

Zhang Fei said: "Lu Dajun and Fan Zhen."

Sima Guang's eyes lit up, but at the same time he asked doubtfully, "Will Wang Jiefu agree?"

Fan Zhen and Wang Anshi quarreled and scolded each other, would Wang Anshi agree?

Zhang Fei said: "I will convince Xueshi Wang that now he is asking for us, and you will be recommended by Sima, we must let people know that it is they asking for us, not us taking the initiative to intervene.

In this way, they will not be afraid that if something goes wrong, they will put all the blame on the public security organs. "

Sima Guang thought for a while, and said: "If you have a solution, then I can promise you."

Zhang Fei laughed and said, "I just think we have to figure out a solution together. It's better than dying together."

Sima Guang snorted, "Wang Jiefu has to agree to that, you can convince him first."