Chapter 36 Chapter Thirty-Six

Di Qing entered the Privy Council and served as the deputy envoy of the Privy Council. Di Qing sent his troops south to Lingnan to pacify the chaos of Nongzhigao. Di Qing has already gone to the Jinghu area, issued military orders widely, and recruited Jinghu's elite soldiers... Di Qing, the god of war in the Song Dynasty, was ordered to pacify the south, and the forbidden army scrambled to gather. When the news came out, Bianjing was boiling, and the whole country cheered. The common people believe that Lingnan is saved and the world is saved. Although Di Qing's entry into the Privy Council was very inconsistent with the family law of the ancestors of the Song Dynasty, and it was also criticized by the Chinese officials in the court, but the common people didn't care about the rules and family laws, and only thought that what could be done would go.Don't talk about Di Qing being a deputy privy envoy, even if he is a privy envoy, the common people think it's no problem.

Since Zhao Zhen sent Di Qing, apart from visiting Zhang Meiren, he seldom even saw the queen. This day he was in the palace, and he invited Pang Ji to visit him again, asking about the Lingnan War. Before the Lingnan turmoil, Zhao Zhen had transferred Pang Ji back to Beijing and let him take charge of the two mansions. After Di Qing left for the expedition, because Pang Ji and Di Qing had communicated for the longest time and knew military affairs, Zhao Zhen asked Lingnan to transfer it to Pang Ji as soon as he had military affairs. Ji, Pang Ji reviewed, select the essence to report. Zhao Zhenren was in the palace, seeing that the snow outside the palace had not yet melted, his body was slightly cold, and his heart was trembling as if naked in the cold wind.Nong Zhigao's rebellion is of great importance. Di Qing can only win, not lose!

When Pang Ji entered the palace, he was stopped by Zhao Zhen without waiting for a gift. He gave him a seat and said: "Pang Qing's family, you are in the northwest, and you have been with Di Qing for many years. You should know how Di Qing uses soldiers. I came to you today just to ask How is Lingnan now?" Thinking of another incident, he asked: "Many people in this world know Di Qing's bravery, if he fights, Di Qing thinks he will not be afraid, but I am only afraid that Nong Zhigao is insidious, and sending someone to poison Di Qing, is that really true? It is impossible to guard against it. I sent someone to remind Di Qing a few days ago, did Di Qing hear my proposal?"

Pang Ji said: "Your Majesty, please don't worry. Your Majesty's reminder has already been heard by General Di. General Di has always been on the knife's edge, so he must have been on guard against this early on." After a pause, Pang Ji said: "Di Qing raised troops last October. , without the soldiers from northern Xinjiang, recruiting soldiers all the way, mainly recruiting sharp soldiers from Jinghuxiang, and hoarding food and grass wantonly. According to the latest news, he has summoned tens of thousands of soldiers and horses... It seems that he will gather strength to compete with Nong Zhigao .”

Zhao Zhen couldn't help but said: "I also know some of Di Qing's methods of using troops. After the battle of Dingchuanzhai, Slimyao City was besieged, and the northwest was in an emergency. Di Qing recruited troops eclecticly, and he did the same thing as now, forcing his opponents with arrogance. As a result, when confronting the enemy, Xia Jun was so frightened that he did not dare to fight, and forced Xia Jun to be unable to send troops, this time, it must be the same way?" Pang Ji hesitated for a moment before saying: "Well, I don't want to judge rashly. But the Holy Majesty is right. Since Di Qing led the army, the morale of the soldiers and civilians in Bianjing, Jinghu, and even Guangdong and Guangxi has been greatly boosted. Now that Di Qing has arrived in Guizhou, and Zhizhou and Yu Jing are all in one place."

It turned out that Yu Jing, the admonition court, was also sent out of Beijing after the premature death of the reform, and now he is the magistrate of Guizhou.The war in Guangdong and Guangxi was in turmoil, and most of the prefectures and counties were in danger. Only Yu Jing was still leading the army to support and maintain the Lingnan country of the Great Song Dynasty. "Has the fight started?" Zhao Zhen asked. Pang Ji hesitated a little, and then said: "After General Di sent troops, the Song army has already fought a battle with Nong Zhigao's army." Zhao Zhen was startled, and hurriedly said: "Why didn't I receive this military report? How is the battle going?"

Pang Ji said slowly: "The Song army was defeated." Zhao Zhen's face was as pale as snow, and he lost his voice: "Di Qing lost?" Pang Ji shook his head and said, "It's not that Di Qing was defeated. Di Qing sent an order to Guangxi as soon as he left Beijing, ordering the generals to stand firm and wait for help. But Yu Jing did not listen to Di Qing's order, and sent troops to attack the Jincheng post of the Nong army without authorization. Nong Zhigao was defeated." I sighed secretly in my heart, it turned out that the Song Army knew that Di Qing was leading the army, and they all thought that this battle must be won, and many people wanted to grab credit.Chen Shu took the initiative to attack Nong Zhigao, not for the sake of Da Song's country, but to grab credit, not wanting to be defeated by Nong Zhigao instead.

When Zhao Zhen shot the dragon case, he said angrily: "These people really violated the military order like this? What about Di Qing, why didn't you kill them?" Pang Ji immediately said: "After Di Qing arrived in Guizhou, he obeyed the imperial decree and beheaded Chen Shu and thirty-one of Chen Shu's generals!" Zhao Zhen was stunned, he just said to kill Chen Shu, but it was just an angry word, he thought in his heart that the use of troops at the moment should let everyone fight to the death, and it is not suitable to kill the generals in front of the battle.Who would have thought that Di Qing would kill thirty-one Song generals in such a way!

But the words had already been uttered, and Zhao Zhen couldn't take them back, so he could only say: "Good beheading, good beheading!" Suddenly remembered something, and hurriedly asked, "What about Yu Jing?" He was afraid that Di Qing would behead Yu Jing too. Pang Ji said: "Yu Jing pleaded guilty, saying that Chen Shu broke the law because of his improper control, and asked Di Qing to come down. However, Di Qing said that Yu Jing is a civil servant, and the military should not be blamed on him." He thought to himself, "Di Qing Knowing that although he has prestige in the Northwest, the Lingnan generals may not absolutely obey his control. Now killing generals to establish prestige is to use the heads of Chen Shu and others in exchange for the unity of the whole team. Di Qing does not blame Yu Jing, but it is obviously against Fan Gong My friends back then were very respectful. Alas... a person like him, who used both kindness and power when using troops, was a rare leader in the Song Dynasty. Di Qingruo has been in the court, it is really a blessing for the Song Dynasty, but I am afraid of him This battle, whether you win or lose, cannot escape criticism."

Zhao Zhen breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Di Qing is right. So what's going on now?" Pang Ji replied: "When Di Qing led the troops to Guizhou, there was a letter from Jiaozhi saying that he would join hands with Song soldiers to attack the Nong army." Zhao Zhen lifted his spirits and said, "It's good that Jiaozhi is willing to send troops. Do they have envoys here? What do the courtiers say?" Pang Ji said: "When all the officials in the court heard this, they thought the same as the Holy One. But... Di Qing has already rejected Jiaozhi."

Zhao Zhen frowned, thinking that Di Qing's actions were treasonous.How could Di Qing reply to Jiaozhi directly without going through the court?But after all, he still said: "Di Qing must have his reasons for doing this." Pang Ji nodded and said: "The sage is wise. From my point of view, Jiaozhi wants to send troops, just to test the reality and confidence of our army. Di Qing wrote that there are many disadvantages in fake soldiers to fight against the internal invaders. A mere Nong Zhigao In Guangdong and Guangxi, if the Song court can’t control it, and they still need to use outsiders, firstly, it will hurt the morale of the army, and secondly, it is very likely to attract wolves into the house. I’m afraid that if they don’t win with Nong Zhigao, they will fall into a battle with Jiaozhi.” Zhao Zhen sighed and said: "What Di Qing said is true. Fortunately, I was reminded by Pang Qing's family, so I wouldn't make a big mistake. What is Di Qing doing now?" Pang Ji said: "After beheading Chen Shu and others, he was worshiping God." Zhao Zhen was startled again, feeling that Di Qing's intentions were really unpredictable, "Worship God, what god do you worship at this time?" Pang Ji said: "Di Qing heard that there is a temple in the south of Guizhou City that is very effective. He led his subordinates to the temple to pray for God. He took out a hundred copper coins on the spot and prayed to God. If Pingnan wins, the hundred copper coins will be scattered on the ground. , it should be literally all up." Zhao Zhen was taken aback when he heard the words, and hurriedly said: "Nonsense, how can this be possible? Di Qing is like this, if he can't make it, won't he shake the morale of the army?" Pang Ji said: "But Di Qing threw out the copper coins, and it was true that the hundreds of coins were face up. At that time, everyone didn't believe it, but the news spread, and the morale of the army was greatly boosted. All the soldiers believed that there was a god to help this time, and Di Qing was supreme. With his supernatural powers, his momentum was like a rainbow for a while." Zhao Zhen was silent for a moment, got up and paced back and forth for a long time, and then said: "Is Pang Qing's family trustworthy?" For some reason, he remembered the incident of Huangyimen back then.He didn't believe in gods at first, and he actually even hated gods. At the beginning, it was his father who believed in gods all over the country, which made the power of the Song Dynasty exhausted. But the situation of Di Qing's sudden transformation and killing Liu Congde and three people in a row is still in Zhao Zhen's house. mind. If there is no word of God, why did Di Qing become like this? Pang Ji was silent for a long time before he said: "Many things can only be said if you believe in them, and if you don't believe in them, you don't have them." Zhao Zhen smiled suddenly and said: "If there is no god, there can only be one explanation. That is the copper coins used by Di Qing, which must have two sides!" He remembered that when he and Di Qing fled together, Di Qing had a lot of tricks.Over the years, of course Di Qing has become more proficient in using tactics. Pang Ji smiled and didn't say much. Zhao Zhen also laughed, as if he thought he had guessed Di Qing's strategy, and he was very proud, and asked: "After Di Qing asked God, what did he do?" Pang Ji pondered for a while before he said: "According to the latest military situation, Nongzhi Gaozhi Di Qing came to shrink his troops, intending to lengthen the battle line and drag out the Song army. As the Shangyuan Festival is approaching, Di Qing's long-distance march may consider that the soldiers are exhausted. Three hundred miles to the north of the Kunlun Pass, there are tens of thousands of soldiers stationed in the north of the Nijiang River, standing firm and confronting Nong Zhigao's 50,000 army on the Madu Mountain in the northeast of the Kunlun Pass. Di Qing ordered the follow-up army to follow slowly, and the soldiers Rest for ten days, spend the festive season first, and then fight to the death with the Nong army." Hearing the military situation, Zhao Zhen felt nervous. He wished that Di Qing would suddenly show his supernatural power. It would be best to cut off Nong Zhigao's head with a single knife. Seeing that the fighting had stopped for a while, he was a little disappointed, and murmured: "Yes, it would be good to take a break." Suddenly seeing the lights shining like stars outside the hall, it occurred to him, "Isn't today the Shangyuan Festival?" In the past, the Shangyuan Festival was celebrated with lanterns and festoons in the palace, and Bianjing was also full of joy.But now that there is chaos in Lingnan, Zhao Zhen said earlier that this year's Lantern Festival will be simplified. Although there are lanterns in the palace, it is quiet and not as lively as before. Zhao Zhen didn't want to go to the Lantern Festival, but he just wanted to see if Di Qing could win with tens of thousands of soldiers against the 50,000 soldiers of the Nong Army? Even if Di Qing can win at Mount Madu, there will be Kunlun Pass behind the Nong army, and after Kunlun Pass, there will be Nong Zhigao's army stationed. I don't know when this battle will end. Zhao Zhen was worried about the south of Lingnan. He also knew that the Kunlun Pass was built in the Tang Dynasty.Nong Zhigao knew Di Qing's southern expedition and sent troops to guard this pass. Liang Dahai, the leader of the barbarians in the south of Tang Ling, had defeated the Tang army at Kunlun Pass. Di Qing was going to confront Nong Zhigao's main force. There is a saying in the art of war, one vigorous effort, then decline, and three exhaustion.Di Qing will fight Madu Mountain first, then Kunlun Pass, and then Nong Zhigao's main force. Zhao Zhen judged from common sense and realized that Di Qing's situation was not good.Seeing Pang Ji's frowning look again, he became even more worried.He said a few more words about the military with Pang Ji, and some palace servants rushed to report and said a few words in a low voice.After hearing this, Zhao Zhen asked Pang Ji to retreat, got up and hurried to Zhang Meiren's palace. Zhang Meiren was sick in bed, seeing Zhao Zhen coming, she tried to get up and salute, Zhao Zhen saw Zhang Meiren's haggard face, felt great pain in her heart, and hurriedly said: "Beauty...don't get up." Ever since Zhang Meiren was poisoned, she has been so ill that the toxicity is difficult to clear. Countless imperial doctors have been invited to see her, but none of them can cure Zhang Meiren's disease.Zhao Zhen saw Zhang Meiren haggard day by day, but his love for Zhang Meiren did not change in the slightest.I don’t know how many times I prayed to God, hoping that Zhang Meiren can get better. But Zhang Meiren was still not getting better day by day, and Zhao Zhen already had an ominous sign in his heart. Seeing Zhao Zhen coming, Zhang Meiren coughed a few times, and asked in a low voice: "The officials have been frowning for the past few days, but are they worried about state affairs?" Zhao Zhen nodded and said, "Beauty, you don't have to worry about my country, just take good care of your body." Zhang Meiren smiled sadly, and under the lights, there seemed to be unspeakable resentment, "Officials, my concubine sees you worrying all day, how can I not worry about you? Now that Nong Zhigao... is making trouble, how is the war going?" Zhao Zhen didn't want to say it at first, but couldn't hold back the resentful eyes of Zhang Meiren, so he briefly said the situation of Lingnan War.Bitter in my heart, I thought to myself that even if the beauty is sick, she still cares about my country.God, since you let me meet Zhang Meiren, why don't you let me be happy with her? When I think of this, I almost cry. Zhang Meiren looked a little nervous when she heard the Lingnan Rebellion.After listening, he stretched out his hand, held Zhao Zhen's hand, and said quietly: "Guan, do you think Di Qing can win?" Zhao Zhen sighed and said: "My country is tied to him. If he loses again, if Khitan and Xixia take advantage of the situation to attack my Song Dynasty, then my country will not be guaranteed." "But if he wins, the situation of the official family may not be secure." Zhang Meiren said suddenly. Zhao Zhen was stunned, under the light, his face was cloudy and uncertain.Although the fragrance in the palace was secretly conveyed, it was as warm as spring, but at that moment, the atmosphere was as cold as ice, and it took a while before he said: "Why does the beauty say that?" Zhang Meiren kept looking at Zhao Zhen's face, closed her eyes when she saw it, shook her head slightly and said, "Official, just pretend I didn't say anything." Zhao Zhen said anxiously: "Since I said it, how can I pretend that I didn't say it?" But no matter how much he asked, Zhang Meiren still didn't say anything.Zhao Zhen asked for a long time. Seeing that Beauty Zhang was silent, he sighed softly and said, "Beauty, then you should have a good rest." When he got up, he saw two tears streaming from the corners of Beauty Zhang's eyes. Zhao Zhen panicked and sat down again, just holding Zhang Meiren's hand. Those slender hands were soft and cold. After a long time, Zhang Meiren said: "Official family, I have believed in Buddhism since I was a child." Zhao Zhen was a little puzzled, but he just waited for Zhang Meiren to explain, and Zhang Meiren was silent for a long time before saying: "Because I believe in Buddhism, my concubine Only respect Buddha. Therefore... When Bao Zheng took out the Jade Buddha, the concubine didn't want to touch it, not because he felt ashamed." His voice gradually choked up. When Zhao Zhen heard the words, he said anxiously: "Then why didn't you say it then?" Zhang Meiren choked and said: "At that time, even if I talk about my identity, they will still say that I am a sophistry. No one will believe in my identity..." The voice was mournful, and tears were already rolling down. Zhao Zhen held Zhang Meiren's hand tightly, and whispered: "Beauty, I have always believed in you. There is something strange about this matter, and I cannot find out the truth, but I have always believed that you are innocent." Recalling the situation back then, always Frown, Zhang Meiren is innocent, and Di Qing is not guilty, so whose fault is it? Zhang Meiren cried for a while, her depressed mood seemed to have improved, and said gratefully: "Thank you, official." Zhao Zhen saw Zhang Meiren's expression of grievance, but he stopped talking to him, his heart ached like twists and turns, and he thought to himself that I was the emperor, but this case could not be solved, he was really ashamed.He sat on Zhang Meiren's bed in the middle of the night, comforted him for a long time, and then turned to rest.For several days in a row, he temporarily forgot about Lingnan, and had no intention of reviewing the memorial, so he wanted to stay with Zhang Meiren when he had time. That night when the lanterns were lit, Zhao Zhen stayed to visit Zhang Meiren again, when suddenly a palace official reported urgently, asking Pang Ji to see him. Knowing that Pang Ji's visit must be related to Lingnan, Zhao Zhen called Pang Ji into the palace immediately. Holding the memorial in his hand, Pang Ji said when he saw Zhao Zhen, "Good news, Your Majesty." When Zhao Zhen heard the word "good news", his heart relaxed, and he said anxiously: "Where does the joy come from? But did Di Qing defeat the Nong army in Madu Mountain?" According to his thinking, only a few days after the Shangyuan Festival, Di Qing sent troops to fight In the duel between Nong Zhigao and Ma Dushan's 50,000 rebels, it is considered a great joy. Pang Ji shook his head.When Zhao Zhen looked at it, his heart was half cold, and he said anxiously: "Then...you won the battle?" Since Nong Zhigao's uprising, the Song army has lost consecutive battles, lost troops and lost generals, and has never won a single game.Seeing that Pang Ji shook his head, Zhao Zhen lowered his hopes to the lowest, and only hoped that Di Qing could win once, so as to restore morale. Although Pang Ji was calm, he couldn't hide his joy. He said: "My lord, Di Qing not only defeated the tens of thousands of soldiers from Nong Zhigao in Madu Mountain, but also broke through the Kunlun Pass. Now the soldiers have passed the pass, and the soldiers' peak is pointing directly at Yongzhou. Nong Zhigao was unprepared, knowing that Di Qing had broken through the Kunlun Pass, he immediately dispatched troops to fight, and now Di Qing is stationed in Guirenpu, and he wants to fight Nong Zhigao!" Zhao Zhen was surprised and delighted, he didn't expect to hear such great news.His voice trembled a little. Zhao Zhen took the memorial and didn't bother to read it. He just said, "Pang Qing's family, tell me in detail. How did Di Qing play so fast?" Pang Ji said with a smile: "When Di Qing was in the northwest, he cherished the lives of soldiers. More than 10,000 old troops from the Northwest have been dispatched to the south of the Five Ridges." Of course, Pang Ji was talking about the ten soldiers under Di Qing, but Zhao Zhen was a little surprised, "When did he mobilize the soldiers from the Northwest, why didn't I know?" Pang Ji was slightly stunned, and said after a while: "This matter is to prevent leakage of information, so few people know about it. Di Qing said that since the Holy Majesty entrusted him with the military power, he will definitely agree." After Pang Ji finished speaking, he couldn't help but think of Di Qing's parting situation. When Di Qing led the army to go out, he once said to him: "Pang Da man, although there are sharp soldiers in Jinghu, but without training and few battles, it is considered a war. It is difficult to win in one battle. If we fight against Nong Zhigao for a long time, I am afraid that there will be changes in the Khitan in the northern Xinjiang and the Xia Congress in the Northwest. Therefore, Di Qing asked Da Da to send ten soldiers from the Northwest Chamber Army to fight. It's very important, if Nong Zhigao finds out about the leak, it will be difficult to achieve miraculous results, so please be sure to act in secret this time, and if there are consequences, Di Qing will bear it on his shoulders." Pang Ji looked at Di Qing for a while, and finally nodded and replied, "Okay!" Pang Ji didn't want to mention these things to Zhao Zhen. Zhao Zhen was silent for a moment, and finally said: "As long as I can win, I will agree. Did Di Qing break the Kunlun Pass by relying on the old army?" Pang Ji nodded and said: "That's right, the sage is wise and thought of this. At the beginning, Di Qingguang recruited troops, hoarded food, and transported tens of thousands of troops for a long journey. Everyone thought that he would win steadily and defeat his opponent step by step. But these It was just his way to confuse his opponents. On the Shangyuan Festival, he said that the whole army would celebrate the festival for ten days before a decisive battle would be nothing but smoke. On the night of the Shangyuan Festival, he personally led the army and attacked Kunlun Pass by surprise. Kunlun Pass The rebels were completely unprepared, and were defeated by Di Qing in one fell swoop. In the early morning, Di Qing sent a team to burn the food and grass of the rebels on Madu Mountain. Disperse." I admired in my heart, thinking to myself that Di Qing's strategy was really far-sighted.Di Qing sneaked into Kunlun Pass, beat Madu Mountain hard, commanded the soldiers like envoys with his body, with his arms and fingers, and a thunderbolt strike was clean and quick. After thinking about it, it seemed simple to use the plan, but Di Qing was the only one who could use troops like this in the Song Dynasty! But such a person, I'm afraid... Pang Ji is worried every time he thinks about the future situation. Zhao Zhen heaved a sigh of relief. After many days of depression, he was finally able to feel elated.Worrying for a long time can only give a little heartstrings now.Suddenly thought of something, and asked: "The battle of Kunlun Pass was over a few days ago, how about Guirenpu now?" Although I hoped that Di Qing could behead Nong Zhigao in one go, but I also felt that the expectation was unrealistic . Pang Ji said: "When Di Qing captured the Kunlun Pass, even Yu Jing didn't know about it. After Yu Jing knew about it, he got Di Qing's order to lead the rear army through the Kunlun Pass and gather at Guirenpu. Yu Jing immediately Write a letter to the sage, saying that if there is a war situation, you should report it as soon as possible. However, according to my guess, Di Qing intends to fight quickly. Attack Di Qing. Both of these two have ordinary thoughts, I am afraid that Guirenpu has already started a war, and the situation of the war will be communicated tomorrow. Please rest early, and tomorrow I will report the situation to the Holy Majesty." Zhao Zhen agreed, and was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night. In the early morning of the next day, before he got up, the palace servants reported that Pang Ji asked to see him again.Zhao Zhen jumped out of bed with bare feet, dressed a little, ordered Pang Ji to enter the palace, and asked from a distance, "Pang Qing's house, how is Guirenpu?" Pang Ji didn't give a shit this time, and he cheered up: "My Majesty, General Di defeated the Nong's army at Guirenpu!" Zhao Zhen rushed to his heart with joy, shook his body, and said after a long sigh of relief: "Pang Qing's family, you have a good talk with me." He couldn't suppress the joy in his heart, and his heart trembled with excitement. Pang Ji reported: "In the battle of Guirenpu, Di Qing ordered Guo Kui and Yang Wenguang to be the left and right forwards. He himself was in the middle army, and Yu Jing was asked to hold the line. Gather in the northeast of Guirenpu. But Nong Zhigao arrived one step earlier and returned to the formation. To the southwest of Renpu. At that time, the Nong’s army was dressed in crimson uniforms, holding barbarian cards and javelins, looking like fire. When Yang Wenguang fought, he was defeated and retreated.” Although Zhao Zhen knew the result long ago, he was still surprised when he heard this: "How did Yang Wenguang lose so quickly?" Zhao Zhen knew that Yang Wenguang was also a general, and he was the grandson of Yang Ye, the founding hero of the Song Dynasty.Over the years, the Yang family has been guarding northern Xinjiang and keeping an eye on Khitan's movements. Although there are few battles in northern Xinjiang, Yang Wenguang is proficient in pommel horses and has experience in confrontation. Therefore, Zhao Zhen drew him back to Bianjing early, and prepared to send him to fight with him. Guo Kui led the army together. Pang Ji sighed softly: "Master Zeng of the Wu Jingtang once said that Nong Zhigao's army was born as a barbarian. In terms of force, it is actually far superior to the untrained Song people. The Nong army even used javelins and barbarian cards to attack and defend each other. It was sharp and unstoppable. The Song army was defeated by the javelin and barbarian cards every time. Although Yang Wenguang was brave, he was still difficult to defeat the Nong army." "Then what should we do?" Zhao Zhen asked anxiously. Pang Ji said: "The vanguard Yang Wenguang retreated, and the troops of Jingnan Road under the leadership of Ma Qian and Liu Chance's right army resisted the attack of the Nong army. From early morning to noon, it was difficult to decide the outcome. At this time, Nong Zhigao ordered his brave general Huang Shimi to lead the cavalry. Attack, the cavalry is called Tianlongqi, it is Nong Zhigao's personal iron cavalry, and the horses are all collected from Dali horses, it can be regarded as the sharpest cavalry under Nong Zhigao's men. Liu will be defeated even if he loses." Zhao Zhen said angrily: "Nong Zhigao is so arrogant? How dare you call him like that?" This title of Tianlong cannot be used by non-royals.Zhao Zhen was naturally annoyed when he heard it. Pang Ji thought to himself, Nong Zhigao has proclaimed himself emperor, so what dares to say?He also said: "At that time, the Song army was in chaos, and the morale of the Nong army was high. There was a general Zhang Yu who asked to fight, but Di Qing refused. Shi Mi is under the horse." Zhao Zhen was overjoyed. He slapped the table and said with a smile: "Okay, good kill! I've heard that Di Qingxi fights with a bronze mask on his hair, and he wins every battle. Today, he was able to kill the rebel. It's really satisfying." Pang Ji continued: "Di Qing tried to kill Huang Shimi, but the momentum of the Nong army stopped a little. Di Qing led the old troops to charge and kill the enemy without waiting. Nong Zhigao successively sent his two dragon and snake generals Nong Jianhou and Nong Zhizhong to lead the elite to fight , but they were all beheaded by Di Qing." Zhao Zhen said in surprise: "So Di Qing is so brave?" Pang Ji nodded and said: "That's right. Di Qing killed three fierce generals of the Nong Army. The Nong Army was panicked. Di Qing led the army to attack the middle army of the Nong Army. Nong Zhigao was unstoppable. Gao retreated, the morale of the army collapsed, and retreated to Yongzhou. Guo Kui led his troops to guard the way back, and concealed the attack from a high place. Gao Guancheng can't get out..." Zhao Zhen laughed and said: "Okay, okay. Well played. Pang Qing's family, go to the two governments to discuss the reward. If the reward is delayed, I'm afraid the army will not like it." He just waited to get up and go to tell the good news Telling Zhang Meiren, Pang Ji hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I feel that it is not appropriate to promote Di Qing's official position." Zhao Zhen was slightly stunned, shaking his head and said, "How can we not be promoted? I have made up my mind, so go and handle it quickly." He walked away quickly, and when he arrived at Zhang Meiren's palace, Zhang Meiren seemed to be anxious. Come, weakly asked: "My lord, how is Lingnan now?" Zhao Zhen laughed and said, "Di Qing has won a complete victory..." Before he finished speaking, Zhang Meiren saw a mouthful of blood spurting out. Zhao Zhen was shocked and said anxiously: "Send the imperial doctor quickly..." Di Qing attacked Kunlun Pass by surprise and beat Madu Mountain hard. The Nong army was in chaos and retreated steadily. The Song Army and the Nong Army fought against Guirenpu all day long, and Di Qing went out to kill the three generals of the Nong Army.The Nongjia army was defeated and retreated to Yongzhou. Di Qing issued an order to encircle and suppress the rebels in the states and counties along the way, not to be neglected. The morale of the army and the people of Guangdong and Guangxi is like a rainbow. Nong Zhigao retreated to Yongzhou. That night, without waiting for the encirclement of the Song army to be completed, he burned the city to break through and fled all the way west. Di Qing led his troops to chase for hundreds of miles, and Nong Zhigao fled into Dali... The Song Army won a complete victory, and Di Qing successfully flattened Lingnan! In the past few days, Guangdong and Guangxi celebrated, Jinghu was joyful, and the whole world celebrated. Bianjing was relieved of worries, and the name of Di Qing was everywhere in the streets and alleys. The imperial court has a decree to promote Di Qing to the rank of Privy Envoy! While the whole country cheered, Zhao Zhen's heart was full of sadness.Zhang Meiren was seriously ill and dying.He stayed under Zhang Meiren's bed all day long, and even passed by in a hurry in the early morning.On this day, seeing that Zhang Meiren's cheeks were thin, and she could only vent her breath, but not breathe in it, she couldn't help feeling sad and burst into tears. Seeing this, all the palace people dared not persuade.Empress Cao rushed over, and when she saw this, she quietly stepped forward and said, "Official family..." She just called out, and Zhao Zhen had turned around, threw herself on Empress Cao, and burst into tears: "Empress, why? Why? ! Why do the people I love always suffer like this?" He has been under the shadow of Empress Dowager Liu since he was a child, and he can't even make decisions about his marriage.People he likes, Empress Dowager Liu doesn't like, and people he doesn't love, but stay by his side all day long. Wang Ruyan married someone else, and he was worried about it. He thought that Zhang Meiren came, and the heavens made up for his regrets, and he didn't want Zhang Meiren to leave him again. Years of emotional depression, once vented, Zhao Zhen was already crying earth-shatteringly. Empress Cao just hugged Zhao Zhen, with tears streaming down her face, and comforted her in a low voice: "Officials, don't cry anymore. You cry so much... that my body and mind are going to be broken." Seeing this, the palace people bowed their heads and did not dare to say more. After Zhao Zhen cried a lot, his mood was a little calm, and he looked back at Zhang Meiren. Seeing that she was still sleepy, he wanted to cry again.Restraining herself, she asked, "Queen...do you have anything to do with me?" Empress Cao was silent for a moment, then said: "The concubine sees that the official has no intention of reviewing the memorial recently, so I can only guard here, worrying about the official's health, so I made the stew and sent it over." It was only then that Zhao Zhen noticed that there was hot soup on the dragon table, shook his head and said, "Oh... I can't drink it." Suddenly thought of something, and said, "How is the recent court affairs?" Speaking of which, don't wait Empress Cao replied that she couldn't help but walked out of Zhang Meiren's palace and turned back to the imperial palace.Although Lingnan is flat right now, the war is not over, it concerns his country, he must pay attention to it. Returning to the imperial palace, Zhao Zhen saw that the memorials beside the case had piled up like a mountain, smiled bitterly, and sat down to look through the memorials.Turned over a few times, his face was a little strange. Empress Cao has been following Zhao Zhen's side, seeing this and asked: "Officials, but what's going on in Lingnan?" Zhao Zhen closed the folds, and said lightly: "I let Di Qing sit as a privy envoy, and many people are dissatisfied. They say that it is inconsistent with the family law of the ancestors, so please remove Di Qing. Empress, how do you see it?" Empress Cao frowned and thought for a while, then asked: "This is the government's will. In fact, it doesn't matter what others think. The most important thing is what the government thinks?" Zhao Zhen stood up, took a few steps in the hall, and said: "I often see Wei Taizu Cao Caoxiong's strategy, but most of them are deceitful means; Tang Zhuangzong Li Cunxu is also a hero, marching and fighting, basically there is no failure, but after he came to the throne, Indulging in safari without restraint, and not paying attention to the rules of rewards and punishments of his courtiers. These two emperors only have the talents of generals, but no one has the strength of kings." When Empress Cao heard the words, she tentatively said: "So, the officials don't want to learn from the ancients, but want to distinguish rewards and punishments and deal with things fairly?" Zhao Zhen said: "Exactly!" Empress Cao hummed softly, and replied: "Di Qing has been with the official family for many years, so no one knows Di Qing better than the official family. This matter is up to the official family to decide. If I want to say something, I can only say one thing..." After a pause, Empress Cao said, "Di Qing is a loyal minister!" "Di Qing is a loyal minister." Zhao Zhen murmured it over and over, nodded and said, "Okay, I understand, Empress, go and rest." Empress Cao stepped back, and Zhao Zhen sat back beside the dragon case, turning over the memorial one by one, with a gloomy expression on his face. After watching for several hours, Zhao Zhen still didn't say a word.At this moment, Yan Shiliang entered the room and said, "Your Majesty, please see Wen Yanbo." Zhao Zhen just nodded.When Yan Shiliang was not long, he brought Wen Yanbo inside, and Yan Shiliang retreated outside the hall. Without raising his head, Zhao Zhen asked, "Wenqing's family, what's the matter with you?" In the past few years, Wen Yanbo has entered the two governments as a political participant.Hearing Zhao Zhen's question, Wen Yanbo said: "I risked my life to come here this time, and I want to report a few things to the Holy One." Zhao Zhen then raised his head, stared at Wen Yanbo and said, "Why did you risk your life to come here?" Wen Yanbo looked sincere and fearful, and said: "Your Majesty, the minister, trusts Di Qing very much, but I am loyal, so I have to say that Di Qing must not be reused!" Zhao Zhen raised his eyebrows, snorted coldly, and asked, "Why?" Wen Yanbo looked around, and then said: "Di Qing's meritorious deeds have already surpassed the Lord! If the Holy Majesty allows him to keep his military power, I'm afraid it will be detrimental to the Holy Majesty." Zhao Zhen lowered his head, flipped through the memorial casually, and said flatly: "You speak too seriously." Wen Yanbo said anxiously: "Your Majesty, this minister is definitely not alarmist. Di Qing is only a member of the army, and he is highly valued by His Majesty, so he has made great progress. But he has been promoted too fast, so he will inevitably be domineering. Not to mention the fact that he beat the humble minister, just say that in the northwest, he He was openly dissatisfied with his boss and blamed Han Qi. When he arrived in the capital, he intensified and forced the Holy Majesty to admit his mistake on the pretext of not leading the army because of a small quarrel. I heard that Xia Xiang was so angry that he was dying. .” Zhao Zhen still flipped through the memorial without saying a word. Wen Yanbo said again: "The Holy Majesty has promoted him to be a privy envoy again, isn't that just increasing his arrogance? He could force the Holy Majesty to surrender yesterday, but what he will force the Holy Majesty to do tomorrow is really unimaginable..." Seeing that Zhao Zhen was still silent , Wen Yanbo didn't stop talking, and continued: "Does your sage know that Di Qing always wears his hair disheveled in every battle, and why does he cover his face with a bronze mask?" Zhao Zhen raised his head, frowned and said, "Don't they all say that he thinks he is too handsome to intimidate the opponent before the battle, so he uses a mask to capture the enemy?" Wen Yanbo said: "This is just a rumor. As far as I know, every time Di Qing went to battle, he would have a dragon's horn on his head and a strange expression on his face. This is to hide the strange appearance from others! Now the streets and alleys have already spread the word , Di Qing has... what... looks... oh... I dare not say." It is self-evident that the dragon's horn in life has the appearance of the emperor.Wen Yanbo was afraid of offending Zhao Zhen, so he kept silent. Zhao Zhen's hand holding the memorial suddenly tightened, and veins burst out in his hand.Finally heaved a sigh of relief, and sighed softly: "Di Qing is a loyal minister..." Before he finished speaking, Wen Yanbo rushed to ask: "Isn't Taizu a loyal minister of Zhou Shizong?" Zhao Zhen suddenly stood up, slapped the table, and shouted: "Bold! What did you say?" It turns out that Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin was a courtier of Emperor Shizong Chai Rong of the Later Zhou Dynasty. Zhou Shizong died early and entrusted Gu to Zhao Kuangyin, the most trusted courtier.But not long after, Zhao Kuangyin added a yellow robe to Chenqiao, forcing the orphans and widows behind Zhou Shizong to abdicate. After Zhou's solid foundation, he won the world of Song Dynasty. Taizu has always kept this past in secret, and he doesn't want his subordinates to mention it.When Wen Yanbo compared Di Qing to Zhao Kuangyin, Zhao Zhen was inevitably angry when he heard it, but apart from being angry, he felt sad. Wen Yanbo knelt down on the ground early, kowtowed and said: "Your Majesty, I came here today to persuade the Holy Majesty to wake up at the risk of death. Di Qing may be a loyal minister, but he has had too much prestige over the years. Hearing that the people in Bianjing knew that he had pacified Lingnan, they exchanged words. Praise, and countless people knew that he was going back to Beijing, and left Beijing early to wait, just to see Di Qing. Now the people in the capital only know Di Qing, not the Holy One..." Zhao Zhen sat down slowly, his expression even more ugly.Seeing this, Wen Yanbo said again: "The Holy Majesty rules the world with benevolence, but wolf ambition cannot be ignored. When Di Qing fought against the Xia army, he could easily recruit nearly 100,000 troops. This time he went to Lingnan, and there were even more scenes gathered along the way. With tens of thousands of troops following him, he summoned the old troops to attack Nong Zhigao. Although it was unexpected, this shows how loyal those soldiers are to him. Even if Di Qing is loyal, isn't Taizu not loyal? But when the yellow robe was added to the body, he couldn’t help but refuse. If the Holy Majesty waits until that day, I’m afraid it’s too late to regret it.” Zhao Zhen sat on the dragon chair, his expression changed slightly. He looked far away, looking at the scenery outside the palace.The snow outside the hall has melted, but the spring breeze is still cold, which makes people feel chills in the bones. There was a wind blowing, Zhao Zhen trembled slightly, his face was hard to decide under the flickering lights...