But he also thought that even Wei Leweng, who dared to speak out in a straightforward manner, would not have many ministers in the court. Emperor Duanping was not a real fool in history. Even because of promoting a group of Neo-Confucian masters into the court, he received widespread praise from the people. The emperor admired the great wise monarchs like Tang Zong Song Zu. He also understood that a wise monarch would have to accommodate several ministers who dared to speak in the hall. Even Emperor Taizong of Tang who was able to take action personally, he had to have a Wei Zheng.

Thinking of this, the emperor involuntarily took on the airs of a wise king: "You are right in your words. The talented men in Siming are famous all over the world. Although there are some unsatisfactory aspects, they are flaws that do not hide their merits. The reason why I have increased my gratitude is nothing more than trying to be wild and wise. How could I block the talent outside the Shu Mansion? However, if I failed to enter Luo, Shi Songzhi was also responsible. He hastily promoted him to the Political Affairs Hall and had the hope of defeating the world. After the autumn defense next year, I will choose an opportunity to choose a powerful person from Siming's hometown to enter the Political Affairs Hall."

"First ask the court to unite and then command the local government, select generals and train troops, reserve food and grass, and win the border with the Hu people." Wei Leweng said seriously: "The strong enemy is outside, and the internal struggle is endless, and disaster is in front of you."

"I know it myself." The emperor felt a little impatient in his tone: "I dare not compare with the ancient wise kings, but I also practice government affairs every day, thinking that I could catch up with Yao and Shun. But what's the use of working hard alone? Even if there is a sage king, the one who is below must be the subject of the sage."

Seeing that the emperor was a little unhappy, Wei Leweng could only comfort him: "There are also loyal and kind people in a hundred miles. As long as Your Majesty can open up the road of speech and accept advice humbly, so that the lower level will be able to be heard by the heavens, talents will always emerge in a steady stream. This time, I went to Jinghu to supervise the battle, and saw many young talents, Lianghuai and Sichuan. I did not see it with my own eyes and dare not make arbitrary assertions. I can guarantee that there will be at least three or five people who can be promoted to the Jiedushi in the future, just like Jinghu.

When the emperor heard his tone so firm, he immediately became interested and asked, "What kind of materials can you see when you go down this time? Let me tell me in detail."

Wei Liweng felt regretful and said something for a moment, so that these young people who suddenly appeared suddenly entered the emperor's vision would be a blessing or a disaster for them?

It was already the second day, and the moon in Lin'an today was covered by thin clouds, and the moonlight became dim.

The lights were still on the corner of Funing Palace in the north of the imperial city. The emperor above all the people of the Song Dynasty did not go to bed early as usual.

He asked the eunuch to bring a complete picture of the world and geography, hung it on the screen, asked the little yellow door to take the lights, and approached him and carefully checked.

Lianghuai, this is the border area closest to the capital, but the people are strong and able to fight, the soldiers are still elite, and the city walls are still perfect. Although the Mongolians said that there were millions of soldiers and horses, it was not that easy to break through here. At that time, King Hailing of the Jin Kingdom personally led 600,000 troops to fight south from Lianghuai. Wasn't it also blocked on the river? The most important thing is that behind the Lianghuai was an insurmountable natural barrier, and the 70,000 elite army of the Masi, the army in front of Lin'an Hall, could be reinforced immediately once the situation changes.

Sichuan, the emperor felt a little relaxed when he saw the winding mountains on the border. Bashu was always called natural danger, and Qinba Mountains were used to strengthen themselves. The Tang people had the argument that "it was difficult to reach the blue sky". In the past, the Wei army had once entered Hanzhong twice. It is said that Shu Prime Minister Zhuge Liang used only one thousand men to guard the pass and blocked the 100,000 troops of Wei. Even if Zhong Hui and Deng Ai destroyed Shu in the future, he would only take a detour to the Yinping path and win by chance.

But since the beginning of the war, no, even before the war began, the emperor heard unfavorable remarks about Shukou’s defense from all his ministers. Some people say that Shukou’s actual military strength is actually less than 30,000, and most of them are old, weak and remnants, and the combat effectiveness is at most seven or eight thousand.

Some people also say that the army in Shukou is treated poorly, and soldiers can only eat brown rice mixed with sand, gravel and soil, and smelly vegetables. The military uniforms are usually broken and old, just like beggars. They also say that the army in Shu is extremely violent, and often launches mutinies to threaten local appeasement envoys and prefectures and counties. Moreover, the army in Shu has a very bad habit. When encountering enemies, it retreats at any time. When it disperses, it becomes bandits, robbing houses everywhere, harming the people. Even the most elite cavalry teams pretend to be Mongolians and Tubos, and robbing unscrupulously.

Some people complained that if they had known that today was the situation, they should have accepted the surrender of the Jin general Wang Shixian of Gongchang Prefecture. At least when the Mongols went south, they could have a barrier to block it. It was better than today. The Hu people rushed in and reached the border again and again. Wang Shixian became their forward.

The words of scholars are all the words of scholars. The emperor thought a little angrily. Who is Wang Shixian? He was a powerful man from Longnan and was recruited by the Jin Dynasty to become a local general. Such people are the two ends of the rat. Facing the army of Mongolians, are they willing to act as a barrier to the Song Dynasty? Then, the story of Guo Yaoshi in Youzhou will be repeated, and these scholars will criticize the court for not distinguishing good and bad, and will randomly recruit generals with ulterior motives.

It is easy to speak, but difficult to do things. At this time, he missed Zheng Qingzhi, who was decisive in dealing with things and able to understand his wishes. He further thought of the banquet held at Zheng Qingzhi's house and the words said by the second son of the Zheng family.

Should I really give Zhao Yanna an order to prepare for a protracted war after the breakthrough of Shukou?

Thinking of this, he returned to the imperial case, picked up his pen and wrote a few words in a hurry, shouting: "Come."

A young eunuch rushed to the palace.

The emperor looked at him and asked, "Where has Chen Meisheng gone?"

The young eunuch lowered his head and replied, "Eunuch Chen is infected with fever today and dare not come to serve His Majesty. He sent a villain to take the position of him."

The emperor asked again: "What's your name?"

The eunuch didn't even dare to let out anger, and lowered his head and said, "The villain is Dong Songchen, the minister of the eunuch."

The emperor nodded and ordered: "Go and take this handwriting to the people on duty in the Political Affairs Hall to see it, and ask them to discuss a result before the morning court tomorrow. Don't submit a memorial directly. Go to Funing Palace to report to me in person."

The emperor's orders actually did not comply with the regulations of the court. However, Dong Songchenxin was not very clear when he came to the inner court to serve. Even if he knew it, he did not dare to hesitate at all. He immediately took the order and bowed and left the palace.

The emperor felt that this slave looked quite obedient, and finally relieved his depression a little. He put down his imperial pen and asked Xiaohuangmen to move the lantern closer to the map. His eyes fell on the Jinghu area among Sichuan and Lianghuai.

The large circle flowing upstream of Jinghu Lake is Xiangyang City, and the small circle separated by water is Fancheng. These two cities are the teeth of Jinghu Lake, and Jinghu Lake is the barriers of Jinghu Lake.

The emperor picked up the pen on the table and wrote several names in small regular script on the edge of Xiangyang City. He put down his pen, stared at these names for a long time, sighed softly, and asked himself: "The world is so great, can only be used by these few people?"

While the emperor was saying these words, he suddenly heard the sound of a ring outside the house.

It was the coldest time at night, and the sound of the gentle footsteps and the sound of the gentle impact of the ring were particularly clear.

Even without asking questions, he knew who was coming at this time.

In the entire harem, except for the Queen Mother and the Queen, there was only one lady who dared to enter the Funing Palace at night.

The eunuch reported: "Concubine Jia asked to see the emperor."

The emperor turned around and said, "Let her come in."

Surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs, the imperial concubine Jia stepped into the house gently and bowed down: "I have seen the official family."

The emperor asked, "It's already so late at night. What are you doing in Funing Palace?"

Jia said calmly: "I saw that the lights in Funing Palace have not stopped. I know that Your Majesty is working hard until late at night, so I went to the imperial kitchen to personally cook some pearl lotus seed soup for the official family, so that Your Majesty can be used to satisfy your hunger."

As he said that, he signaled with his eyes, and the eunuchs standing beside him quickly took the food box from the palace maid, put a bowl of pearl lotus seed soup, placed it on the imperial table, and put eight treasure fruits and various snacks.

Concubine Jia whispered: "Your Majesty is worried about the world, so don't be tired of the dragon body. Your Majesty's health is the health of all officials and people. I will leave now."

A warm current surged in the emperor's heart. He put down the pen in his hand, picked up the bowl and said, "It's okay if you stay here for a while."

Concubine Jia responded to the promise and felt secretly happy, but this little joy must not be revealed at all. If the emperor noticed it, all the previous efforts would be wasted.

The emperor drank half a bowl of soup and said to Jia: "Come here."

Immediately, a servant brought a stool and waited for the imperial concubine to sit down next to the emperor.

The emperor put down the bowl, pointed to the map hanging high on the screen and said, "I was just looking at that one."

The Song Dynasty inherited the legacy of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, and the harem's interference in politics was not as harsh as in later generations. Although various in-house rules and ancestral teachings emphasized that women should not interfere in political affairs, the tradition of harem's political investigation has always existed quietly.

The imperial concubine smiled slightly: "Your Majesty is good at planning and dispatching soldiers and generals. However, with the wise and wise nature of the official family, I think planning must be excellent."
Chapter completed!