White-robed Minister

Chapter 173 0171 [A Self-Reliant Frontier Expansion Plan]

After paying his respects, Xu noticed the emperor's unwell expression and immediately said, "Your Majesty, I congratulate you!"

Zhao Xu's attention was diverted by these words, and he immediately forgot about Sima Guang, asking curiously, "What brings you this joy?"

Xu Lai said, "I have discovered a great talent. If we employ this talent, we will surely expand our territory by thousands of miles, and given time, we may even be able to conquer the Dangxiang."

Teng Fu, who was writing the daily records, suddenly frowned and looked at Xu Lai.

"Oh?"

Zhao Xu immediately became interested: "Who is this great talent?"

Xu Lai presented the strategy for pacifying the Rong: "Please take a look, Your Majesty."

The eunuch took the strategy for pacifying the barbarians and presented it to the emperor with both hands.

The "Pacifying the Barbarians Strategy" was short, and Zhao Xu finished reading it quickly. He then said to the eunuch, "Bring me the map of the Hehuang region and its surrounding areas."

The eunuch immediately went to fetch the map.

Zhao Xu asked, "Who is this Wang Shao?"

Xu Lai explained in detail: "Wang Shao was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the second year of the Jiayou era. He served as the registrar of Xin'an County and the military advisor of Jianchang Army. After failing the imperial examination, he resigned and spent several years investigating the border regions, even venturing deep into the lands of the barbarians. He became very knowledgeable about the affairs of the northwest border."

"Can the Hehuang region really be restored?" Zhao Xu was skeptical, but a hint of excitement was also evident in his expression.

Xu Lai said: "According to Wang Shao, two years ago, Quesiluo died of illness, and Tibet has split into two major forces: Qinghai and Longyou."

Under these two major powers, there were numerous smaller and larger tribes.

"Dong Zhan, the ruler of Qinghai-Tibet, is a mortal enemy of Western Xia. In the past two years, Li Liangzuo has been constantly sending troops to attack. Dong Zhan wanted to submit to our Great Song but failed. I'm afraid Qinghai-Tibet will soon be unable to hold on."

"The Tubo people in Longyou have a long-standing feud with our Great Song Dynasty. The various tribes are both afraid of the Great Song sending troops and worried about being attacked by the Western Xia. They are caught in the middle and live in constant fear."

"Now is the perfect opportunity for the Song Dynasty to reclaim the Hehuang region, and it is also the last chance for the Song Dynasty to reclaim the Hehuang region. If we sit idly by and do nothing, once the Western Xia conquers and destroys the Qinghai-Tibetan Tubo, the Longyou Tubo will surely submit without a second thought. At that time, Qinzhou will be in grave danger!"

Zhao Xu got up and paced back and forth, worried that a hasty military campaign would fail, yet also looking forward to expanding the territory and revitalizing the Song Dynasty.

After a long while, the eunuch finally brought the map.

Zhao Xu immediately knelt down in front of the map, referring to Wang Shao's "Strategy for Pacifying the Barbarians," and asked Xu Lai to explain it to him in detail.

Such a big matter must be discussed with the Secretariat and the Privy Council.

Zhao Xu told Xu Lai to leave first, and that he would bring Wang Shao to the palace the next day to discuss the matter with the bigwigs.

The following day, Chancellor Han Qi and Zeng Gongliang, Vice Chancellor Zhao Gai and Wu Kui, Privy Councilor Wen Yanbo, and Privy Councilor Lü Gongbi were all summoned by the emperor to discuss matters.

As for Ouyang Xiu, he was still claiming illness and requesting to resign.

These bigwigs were very puzzled, thinking something major had happened on the frontier. When they saw Xu Lai and Wang Shao, they were even more confused.

Zhao Xu had already spoken with Wang Shao, and smiled as he said to Wang Shao, "Tell the ministers in detail."

Wang Shao immediately analyzed the situation in Western Xia and Tibet, and then elaborated on his plan to expand the territory.

The six bigwigs' expressions grew increasingly grim.

After enduring Wang Shao's explanation with great difficulty, Han Qi was the first to object: "Your Majesty, when the late Emperor ascended the throne, the court was already short of funds. Furthermore, two consecutive years of natural disasters have further strained the nation's finances. We have no money to mobilize troops now!"

Zeng Gongliang said, "I second that proposal."

Zhao Gai remained silent.

Wu Kui cautioned, "Your Majesty, given the current situation, it would be best if we could recover the Hehuang region. But what if we fail? The border between Song and Xia would then be ravaged!"

Wen Yanbo said, "Tibet is extremely weak and not worth a major war. Even if we were to bring them to surrender, it would be of no use. Moreover, this strategy would be too costly in terms of resources. I believe it is absolutely unacceptable!"

Lü Gongbi said, "What you gentlemen say makes sense."

Except for Zhao Gai, who remained silent, the other five expressed their opposition.

As an ambitious young emperor, Zhao Xu was first surprised, then disappointed, and finally angry when he saw the attitude of these ministers.

Zhao Xu thought to himself: These people are really old; they can't do anything right now!

On the contrary, Wang Shao remained calm. He had anticipated this and had never had high expectations.

There's nothing more to discuss.

Xu Lai didn't bother to argue, because even if he spoke eloquently, he couldn't persuade a bunch of old ministers who only wanted peace and stability.

The bigwigs gradually dispersed, leaving only Zhao Xu, Xu Lai, Wang Shao, a eunuch, and a civil official who wrote the daily records in the hall.

Zhao Xu had lost interest and said to Xu Lai and Wang Shao, "You two may also leave."

Xu Lai stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, since the ministers do not support us, let's proceed without going to great lengths. We can first focus on developing Qin and Feng as preparation. If a good opportunity arises, we may not need to expend too much money and resources."

Zhao Xu rallied slightly and asked, "What is your plan?"

Xu Lai explained: "The current Military Commissioner of Qin-Feng Road and Prefect of Qin Prefecture is Cai Kang, a trusted minister of the late Emperor. Although Cai Kang is old, he is also a man of great ambition and drive."

Zhao Xu nodded: "The late emperor did indeed praise Cai Kang on many occasions."

Xu Lai continued, "Why not appoint Wang Shao as the strategist and driver of the Qin-Feng Road, allowing him to assist Cai Kang in managing the Qin-Feng Road? He can reclaim the wasteland there, increase the population, and then acquire more wealth through border trade. With a larger population..."

They could seize opportunities to expand into the border regions without needing any government funding or provisions. While developing these areas, they could also subtly divide, win over, and subjugate smaller tribes.

The position of "Jinglue Driver Yiwenzi" can be held by both officials in the capital and those selected for official positions, the only difference being the salary. If an official in the capital is appointed, his salary is equivalent to that of a sub-prefect; if a selected person is appointed, his salary is equivalent to that of a signatory.

Wang Shao, who had already given up, immediately said upon hearing Xu Lai's words, "Your Majesty, Imperial Censor Xu's words are excellent!"

Xu Lai then said, "Your Majesty, I request to judge the matter of Guwei Village!"

Now it was Zhao Xu's turn to worry: "Minister Xu, there's no need to take the risk."

Guwei Village was later Tongyuan Army, Gongzhou, and Longxi, belonging to the front line of Qinzhou border.

With both the Secretariat and the Privy Council opposing it, it was impossible for the area to be upgraded to a prefecture-level military camp. Therefore, Xu Lai wanted to take charge of the military and political affairs of Guwei Village as a special envoy of the emperor.

He is not familiar with military affairs, so he can leave it entirely to the military generals.

Xu Lai had already inquired and learned that the military general stationed at Guwei Village was named Zhang Shouyue. This man was promoted by Ouyang Xiu and had even fought alongside Yu Jing against Nong Zhigao.

Given the friendship between Ouyang Xiu and Yu Jing, as long as Xu Lai doesn't interfere recklessly in military matters, Zhang Shouyue will definitely be willing to cooperate with him.

Xu Lai went to Guwei Village, mainly to recruit people to reclaim wasteland and make money through border trade, so as to accumulate enough money and grain for Wang Shao to conquer the Hehuang region.

If the officials are unwilling to allocate funds and grain, then we will rely on our own efforts!

Xu Lai bowed respectfully: "Loyalty to the emperor and the country is my duty, even if it means dying nine times. What is there to fear in the mere Guwei Village? I beg Your Majesty to appoint me as the judge of Guwei Village."

Zhao Xu remained silent for a long time, but finally could not resist the temptation of expanding the territory. He asked, "Do you have any other requests?"

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Xu Lai said, "Your Majesty, please appoint Yang Shu as the magistrate of Chengji County and transfer Shen Kuo to the Weizhou Imperial Workshop to forge weapons."

"We will follow Xu Qing's lead." Zhao Xu agreed completely.

However, all of these appointments were rejected by the prime ministers.

The prime ministers knew what the emperor wanted to do, so they firmly opposed the matter and did not want Xu Lai and Wang Shao to go to the border and cause trouble.

Xu Lai rode a donkey to Ouyang Xiu's house.

Ouyang Bian was reading at home when he heard that Xu had come to visit. He put down his book and went to greet him personally: "Haha, Xingzhi, it's been a long time since you've come. Come and see my newly written poems."

Xu Lai said in a low voice, "I have important business to discuss with your father."

"My father is in his study. I'll take you there," Ouyang Bian said with a smile.

Ouyang Xiu retired early; although he was still the vice prime minister, he never went to work.

Both the emperor and his ministers had reached a tacit understanding. Since the new emperor had only recently ascended the throne, dismissing veteran officials would have a negative impact; it was best to let Ouyang Xiu rest for now, especially since Wu Kui had already been promoted to replace him.

"My lord, Xu Xingzhi has arrived," Ouyang Bian said, knocking on the door.

Ouyang Xiu said, "Come in."

Ouyang Bian invited Xu Lai inside, then closed the door and left.

"This junior, Xu Lai, pays his respects to Minister Ouyang!" Xu Lai bowed respectfully.

Ouyang Xiu beckoned warmly: "Come and sit down to talk."

Xu Lai went over and sat down.

Ouyang Xiu laughed and said, "I'm sorry to have troubled you. You spoke up for me and caused so much trouble."

Xu Lai said, "I have a favor to ask of you."

"Speak," Ouyang Xiu said.

Xu Lai explained his and Wang Shao's plan, and then described the emperor and the ministers' attitude: "The court is indeed short of funds, and your opposition is reasonable. But we don't need the court to allocate funds; is that not enough?"

Ouyang Xiu hesitated and said, "Isn't this too risky?"

"I never take risks!"

Xu Lai said decisively, "Moreover, the garrison commander of Guwei Village is Zhang Shouyue. This man was promoted by you, sir. Don't you trust him?"

Ouyang Xiu said, "Go back first, let me think about it some more."

Xu Lai got up to say goodbye and then went to catch up with Ouyang Bian.

After weighing the pros and cons for several days, Ouyang Xiu finally set off for the Secretariat. He had been very cautious when he was the vice prime minister, and after not going to work for three or four months, he actually regained some of his drive.

Ouyang Xiu, who had not shown his face for several months, suddenly went to work at the Secretariat, which shocked many officials.

Ouyang Xiu went straight to Han Qi's office and said as soon as he saw him, "Don't stop the young man."

Han Qi asked, "Xu Lai and Wang Shao?"

"Yes," Ouyang Xiu nodded, "they had it tough too. They did such a big thing, yet they didn't need the court to allocate funds and grain; they even had to cultivate and harvest their own crops."

Han Qi sighed, "Alas, you know the situation both domestically and internationally. We're hardly in a position to fight a war right now. I'm just afraid they're being too aggressive, which could lead to widespread warfare along the Qin-Feng Road."

Ouyang Xiu said, "Although Xu Lai is young and extremely bold, he understands the big picture. I am about to leave the capital, and this is my last request."

"This is a matter of state. How can you try to persuade me with personal feelings?" Han Qi said, somewhat displeased.

Han Qi still refused, and Ouyang Xiu left in frustration.

The situation remained at a standstill.

Where is the turning point?

The turning point came when Han Qi stopped going to work!

Even after arriving in Chenzhou, Wang Tao remained restless, writing letters every day to impeach Han Qi. In his writings, Han Qi had become a powerful minister on the verge of usurping the throne.

Ironically, the emperor was willing to read Wang Tao's memorial and did not punish Wang Tao for speaking nonsense. Seeing this, the censors once again launched a collective attack on him.

Disheartened, Han Qi resigned again in anger, and his attitude was resolute; he even followed Ouyang Xiu's example and refused to go to work.

Zhao Xu knew he had messed up again, but he also disliked Han Qi's refusal to agree to open up the border, so he repeatedly tried to persuade him to stay, his feelings were very complicated.

Seeing that Han Qi was determined, Zhao Xu bestowed upon Han Qi a host of honorary titles, appointed him as the judge of Xiangzhou (Han Qi's hometown), granted him a residence in the capital, and promoted Han Qi's son to the position of Secretary of the Imperial Library.

Han Qi accepted only one honorary title and declined all other rewards.

Taking advantage of Han Qi's absence from work, Zhao Xu summoned the kind-hearted Zhao Gai and instructed him to secretly approve the appointments of Xu Lai and Wang Shao without informing the other prime ministers!

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