The First Yamen of the Great Song Dynasty

Chapter 145

The matter of strengthening soldiers was brought up by Zhao Kai, and his father who is addicted to artistic creation can still listen to it.

Now that Zhao Kai has been angered by the Liao Kingdom, he has held back a lot of energy and has full mobility.

Sure enough, Zhao Kai listened to his words, originally standing in the abyss of mission failure, it was inevitable to be disappointed and angry, but Gao Ming's words were like throwing down a life-saving rope.

"That's right! We must show the people of Liao Kingdom the great soldiers of the Great Song Dynasty!" Zhao Kai looked back at the border crossing in Baigou, "I will go to Youzhou sooner or later, so I don't need to pass this checkpoint again! I must see it with my own eyes. tear down!"

Seeing that Zhao Kai's ambition was soaring, other Song officials were also infected, and the low mood just now was swept away.

Everyone looked back at the national border, and there were blue and white clouds, which made people's hearts surge.

Gao Ming is very calm, because he knows the virtues of these officials too well, and if their ambitions can be maintained to Bianliang, they are all considered to be powerful.

After returning to Tokyo, he probably indulged in the leisure in the safe zone again, and started to slack off.

He looked at Zhao Kai, wondering if you, the prince, can handle this great task?I hope God will not be too cruel to Da Song, and give him a better ruler.

On the first night after leaving Liao Kingdom and returning to Tokyo, Gao Ming and Hua Rong had a rest, but Zhao Kai knocked on the door, "I can't sleep, I want to talk to you."

What else can Gao Ming and Hua Rong do, welcome.

Zhao Kai went into the room and sat down, under the candlelight, sighed to Gao Ming: "I have been thinking about these few days, I will go back and talk to my father about training and strengthening the army, but I am afraid that my father has no such intention."

Zhao Ji belonged to the kind of person who would not let the water tank store water until the fire reached the door of the house.

Gao Ming saw his worries, and sighed, "If His Highness can't persuade you, it will be even more difficult for others."

Like Zhao Ji, just exempting the old coin is enough for him to be happy for a few years, and it is not his character to toss about nothing.

Hua Rong also said: "Your Highness, you can also see that the current situation in Liao Kingdom is like this, but they still look down on Song Dynasty in their bones, isn't it because of the weak impression they have left on them for the past hundred years. If you want to reverse it, you must It’s not enough to show your true strength.”

"This king knows, so this king is thinking, go to Emperor Shufu first, and send some soldiers to train. If it really works, then Emperor Father can make up his mind to train troops on a large scale."

Gao Ming nodded his head, Zhao Kai's thinking was right, he was a little bit more involved, first set up the experimental field.

Hua Rong guessed what Zhao Kai meant, "So, His Highness's idea is..."

"This king wants to hand over the incoming soldiers to General Hua for training. I wonder if you can take on this important task?"

This training is definitely not a routine drill. According to the existing methods, soldiers with existing capabilities are also trained.

Moreover, good soldiers will not be given, otherwise how can there be a contrasting effect.

Use low-quality soldiers to train high-quality soldiers.

How to complete this transformation requires innovative training methods, which is not that simple.

This basically belongs to the level of task difficulty of famous generals.

How could Huarong not understand Zhao Kai's meaning, he is now in command of the Shenwu Army, one of the four best Imperial Guards in the Song Dynasty, if he is given training for the inferior Imperial Guards, he does not know if it will be effective.

It is true that famous teachers produce high-quality apprentices, but the qualifications of apprentices cannot be too bad.

Even so, how could Huarong shrink back, "If I am lucky enough to undertake such a major event that is related to the rise and fall of the country, I will do my best!"

Gao Ming thought to himself, if only a few years later, he would have a talented soldier training Yue Fei. Unfortunately, at this point in time, Yue Fei was still a young boy, far from embarking on the road of serving the country by serving the army.

Zhao Kai smiled reassuringly: "With your words, I am [-]% relieved." He joked: "Actually, you can also discuss with Gao Ming, he has the most ideas, and he will definitely help you a lot."

"Your Highness praises me so much, I feel embarrassed." Gao Ming said with a smile, "However, when it comes to ideas, I actually have an idea here, and I want to share it with you, Your Highness."

Zhao Kai leaned forward and listened carefully, "Speak."

"On the way back to the Song Dynasty, I was thinking about one thing. In addition to military training, weapons must also be innovated. I think firearms have developed a lot, and we should focus on their development."

Zhao Kai didn't quite understand these things, so he asked Hua Rong, "What do you think?"

This time Huarong had to pour cold water on Gao Ming, "Firearms, which one? Rockets or thunderbolts? Both of these things are not very easy to use. For example, thunderbolts are iron balls with gunpowder, because The weight, throwing it can't go very far, even if it can scare the horse, the distance is limited. When it can scare the enemy's horse, the enemy is already within dozens of steps. And the power is also limited, it can only scare people with fire and sound. "

Gao Ming frowned, "It must be useful, right? I remember reading a book on my father's bookshelf, which recorded a lot of firearms..."

"Is it called "Wu Jing Zong Yao"?" Hua Rong asked back.

Gao Ming nodded, and heard Hua Rong's evaluation, "Many things in it are too poor in operability. If you use the current level, you will definitely not be able to do it. However, there is one thing that is good. If you want gunpowder, it is better. The application needs to be innovated."

Just like training soldiers, innovation is easier said than done?

However, for others, it is definitely like a blind man walking, constantly exploring, but for Gao Ming, it is much simpler, at least he knows the direction of his efforts, that is, the proportion of various ingredients in gunpowder is wrong, and the purity is not enough.

Another advantage is that Da Song already has the talents and equipment.

In a war against Xixia, 25 rockets were used. It can be seen that the production capacity is quite strong. There are extensive siege operations in Tokyo, and it is said that [-] rockets can be produced a day.

Gao Ming searched in his mind, he remembered that there was a Ling Zhen nicknamed Hong Tianlei in Liangshan, who was good at making artillery.

The artillery here is not the cannon in the concept of later generations, but the trebuchet. The person who puts the gunpowder bag on the trebuchet and throws it accurately is the gunner.

It's just that this person is under Hu Yanzhuo's command, because Gao Ming was born and went to Liangshan, so Hu Yanzhuo was not captured, so this person naturally has no chance to serve Liangshan.

This man was appointed, and the study of gunpowder could not be more appropriate.

Gao Ming had a candidate, so he said to Zhao Kai: "I remember my father mentioned a man named Ling Zhen who is good at developing these things, why don't you tell him to work hard, maybe there will be results."

Zhao Kai didn't put his hopes on gunpowder, but Gao Ming proposed that he thought it would be okay to try, "Since he is good at it, let this person try it. When I return to Tokyo tomorrow, I will tell my father about the time. It's getting late, you should rest too."

Gao Ming and Hua Rong sent Zhao Kai to his own door before turning back to his own room.

After the two hugged each other and lay down, Huarong remembered Gao Ming’s proposal to make gunpowder just now, “We don’t lack saltpeter, but we don’t have much sulfur. We usually buy it from Japan. If it really works, we have to buy more.” .”

This Gao Ming knows that Japan is rich in this stuff.

Maritime trade was prosperous, and cargo ships set off from the coast to transport silk and porcelain, and brought back various items needed by the Song Dynasty.

Gao Ming thought to himself, Japan also has a lot of silver, it would be great if it could be imported to the Song Dynasty on a large scale, the profit margin of silk and porcelain is not attractive enough, and it is not an act of the state, it is all private trafficking, and the state collects taxes with the Municipal Bureau of Shipping. .

Is there anything that can make a lot of money and make money?

In this year and month, there is no money.

"Hey, it's so late at night, I'm really worried." Gao Ming slipped into Hua Rong's arms and arched his arms, "Let me sleep well, I hope there is a solution in my dream."

—

Zhao Ji wants to cry but has no tears.

Gao Ming, who has always been invincible, was frustrated the only time he took his son out for a big event?

The cloud that reached the mouth and the state capital just flew away.

Hearing the news that their negotiation failed, Zhao Ji's heart was chilled.

Unlike the last time, this time the negotiation failed, there was no Fengfengyan, and when he returned to Tokyo, he went to the court for interrogation without even changing his clothes.

When the courtiers gathered together, the first thing they thought of was Gao Ming, who was responsible for the failed negotiation.

"Government officials are all greedy for meritorious deeds, and they want to make a big fortune with a small amount, so that they annoy the people of the Liao Kingdom, and the negotiations fail, and chickens fly away."

Tong Guan will not make trouble, unless the sun comes out from the west, Gao Ming has already prepared, "That Youzhou was not in the Song Dynasty's pocket at first, and it was not the chicken and eggs of the Song Dynasty. The so-called small gain is even more ridiculous. The truth is, we have repeatedly made concessions, and the whole territory is not allowed to lease, and we have settled for the next best thing, as long as the state capital east of Taishang Mountain, they still will not make any concessions, and they will not let go of the 40 taels of silver per year!"

Cai Jing also ran out and threw stones, "40 taels a year is only 30 taels more than the 10 taels given to the Liao Kingdom every year, but it can bring natural dangers into the Song Dynasty. Gao Ming, you really lack vision. Such small profits in gold and silver have given up such important matters as national border defense, you are wronging the country."

As soon as Gao Qiu heard that Cai Jing charged his son with such a serious crime, he immediately said angrily: "If this time, he really promises to take back the eastern state capital with 40 yuan per year, will the Grand Master blame him for not being frugal and wasting the state?" The money supports the Liao Kingdom, is it selfish for the Liao Kingdom? 40 taels per year, isn’t it necessary to increase taxes? Aren’t you afraid of rebellion by the people?”

"The exemption of the old coin is not the result of Gao Ming alone. If it weren't for the opportunity sent by the Jin Kingdom, how could he have a chance to play games?" Cai Jing said to Zhao Ji: "Officials, the Liao Kingdom has no sincerity, and it happens that the Jin Kingdom's clan is coming to the university. Song, why don't you take the opportunity to form an alliance with Liao, and bring You Yun into the Song Dynasty. Those who come to the negotiating table are better to attack with strength, and they will be stronger."

Tong Guan wanted military merits wholeheartedly. He was worried that Gao Ming would be of no use to him if he was successfully dispatched to the sixteen prefectures of Youyun, but Gao Ming failed. He had to seize the opportunity. We must not miss the opportunity to form an alliance with the Kingdom of Jin."

It's just that the negotiation failed once, and you want to form an alliance with the Kingdom of Jin? Gao Ming chuckled lightly and said, "I told the Grand Master about Jurchen's wolfish ambitions, but it seems that everyone has forgotten all about it?" "

Gao Qiu felt that it was necessary to reiterate, "Just say it again! Some people are old and have poor memory!"

Swearing does not reveal faults, Cai Jing is over 70, and his health has declined drastically in recent years. He is most afraid that others will say that he is old, and his heart suddenly feels angry, but he knows that he can't show it. : "The minister is too old to be useful, please return home."

Cai Jingzai was doing quite well, he left, and he suddenly found someone else to take care of a mess, wasn't he looking for trouble for Zhao Ji?

Zhao Ji hurriedly said: "Why did Aiqing say this? The situation is unpredictable now, how can Aiqing's help be missing?! Don't mention it again."

Cai Jing felt that he had won, and took advantage of the victory to pursue, "Speaking of the failure of the negotiation with Liao this time, Gao Ming should be responsible."

The old currency was exempted and successfully sealed the Duke of Jin. If it failed, he would naturally have to bear the responsibility.

There can't be only benefits, right?

Just when those who didn’t want to see Gao Ming were waiting for the officials to blame Gao Ming, the king of Yun, who had been silent all this time, said, “It’s my decision to refuse to pay the 40 taels of silver per year, and to resolutely leave the Liao Kingdom. It has nothing to do with Gao Ming, and it has nothing to do with anyone else, it's my own will."

Everyone was stunned, so why didn't you say it earlier?

What he said just now to reprimand Gao Ming turned into an accusation against King Yun for his poor handling of affairs in a blink of an eye.

You must know that the refusal of the Liao people was written by King Yun, and it must not be the strong accusations just now.

Gao Ming curled his lips in his heart, you guys, it's too early to throw stones, didn't you think you hit the wrong person?

It can't be blamed on them, because King Yun usually looks gentle and elegant, and seems to be very similar to his father's character, and he thinks he is also a soft ear. Thinking of Zhao Kai who has always had a tepid personality.

This is very embarrassing.

Zhao Ji heard that it was his son's responsibility, so he immediately supported Gao Ming's statement, "The Liao people demand too much, and they can't be indulged blindly. If they don't want to start a war between the two countries, they must invite me to negotiate again. Wait for him for a while, it’s not too late to wait and see!" Then he glanced at Gao Ming, "Don't be idle, send someone to find out what's going on in the Liao Kingdom."

"Yes."

Zhao Kai said at this time, "My son thinks that regardless of whether Youyun is taken back or not, the north is staring at him, and a strong army is the fundamental."

Zhao Ji didn't want to make a fuss, the training required money, and now that a Jurchen came out to help fight the Liao Kingdom, why bother to mobilize the people to make troubles, "Nowadays, the major strategic towns are guarded by heavy troops. I think they have worked hard. It's good now, and there is no need to train again. recruits."

This is what Zhao Kai came to mention. If someone else mentioned it, Zhao Ji would have to be accused of bad intentions before Zhao Ji said anything.

If the soldiers are trained to be strong, the generals will not lose their tails, which will bring disaster to the country and the people.

This is why Gao Ming felt that the failure of this negotiation was a good thing, otherwise, how could Zhao Kai propose military training.

Zhao Kai went on to say: "That day in Youzhou, Liao's deputy negotiator once said that once Liao was destroyed, Song would be useless to Jin. Even if the country is well prepared for this, Da Song can deal with it in advance!"

Now is not the time to enjoy peace.

Gao Ming stood up to support King Yun, "It is good to use diplomatic means to mediate between Liao and Jin, but it is only an expedient measure. A weak country has no diplomacy!"

Everyone present was startled by the deafening words.

Weak countries have no diplomacy, so what is the truth is the truth.

Seeing that Gao Ming took the initiative to admit that his rhetoric was useless, he struck while the iron was hot, and followed suit to persuade the emperor, "Officials, no matter what, what Mr. Gao said just now is indeed reasonable. The country still has doubts about the strength of our Song Dynasty. It is imperative to manage the new army."

He has supervised the army in the northwest for many years and once defeated Xixia.

When it comes to military training, who else is more qualified than Tong Guan?

Gao Ming looked sideways at Tong Guan, there really is no permanent enemy, only permanent interests.

Just now, he wished he could beat his point of view to death, but when he saw that he supported military training, and military training was good for his youth, he jumped out to support it.

That's fine, as long as Zhao Ji agrees, it's better than anything else.

As a Taiwei, Gao Qiu naturally couldn't fall behind others, and he also stood up to support King Yun and his son, "Officials, the Liao and Jin dynasties are now fighting, and it is a good time for the Song Dynasty to prepare its military affairs. Don't miss it."

Zhao Ji saw that his son had the same opinion as the important ministers in the court, but he still hesitated, "Well, the imperial army and the Xiang army have millions of soldiers, so it is inevitable to mobilize the army..."

Gao Ming thought, Zhao Kai really understood his father, he really hit the mark, Zhao Ji felt that it was too much trouble.

"Training soldiers should not follow the old method, the old method is still the old soldier, if you want new soldiers, you need the new method." Zhao Kai said: "I want to send a commanding forbidden army to Hua Rong, and ask him to study the new method. Promote more."

When Zhao Ji heard it, this is good, at least it doesn't need to be too much trouble now, first small-scale drills, if the effect is good, then spread to the whole army, and immediately agreed.

When Tong Guan heard that this matter did not fall on his own head, but on the head of that brat Huarong, he couldn't help feeling depressed, but he couldn't help it. Anyone who is not blind can see that Huarong has become King Yun's confidant through Gao Ming. .

At this time, Cai Jingdao, who had been silent all this time: "Hua Rong is now in command of the Shenwu Army. He is the elite of the Forbidden Army. Even if we practice, what effect can we see?"

King Yun had expected such an obstacle, and took out the argument he had agreed with Gao Ming that night, "Let's practice it with the lower-ranking guards, and then compete with the higher-ranking guards. It's clear at a glance how effective it is."

Both Tong Guan and Cai Jing were speechless, they both said: "So that's the case, His Highness is more considerate."

Zhao Ji didn't have any reason not to agree, "It's up to you."

Zhao Kai took advantage of the victory and pursued, "In addition, at the Weapons Bureau, my son thought that gunpowder could be improved, and Gao Ming said he has talents in this field."

Zhao Ji waved his hand, "It's just a small matter, you can be the master."

The improvement of firearms has been being done all the time, so there is no need to tell him about this trivial matter.

Everyone could see that Zhao Kai was very interested in state affairs, better than his father.

As for the prince...

Tragically, of his father's virtues, he has none.

What's more tragic is that he didn't miss any of his father's shortcomings.

Even if the negotiation with Liao was unsuccessful this time, King Yun is much stronger than the crown prince no matter how you look at it.

However, the prince was not at fault and had no reason to be deposed.

King Yun must be better.

—

With the emperor's permission, Gao Ming took a short rest and sent someone to the Jiazhan warehouse in Tokyo to find Ling Zhen.

Ling Zhen was nicknamed Hong Tianlei, and Gao Ming hoped that he could make gunpowder with the same nickname as him.

"Make gunpowder?" Ling Zhen laughed after hearing Gao Ming's order, "This is easy, the formula is all in my head..."

Gao Ming shook his head, "No, no, no, I only have one request. You are not allowed to use any of the formulas in "Wu Jing Zong Yao", and you will not avoid all the formulas in your mind."

I don't know the right answer, but I know the wrong answer anyway.

If the formula is correct, then a black gunpowder with good effect will be produced early.

A well-proportioned black powder is quite powerful. During the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, the Taiping Army used it to bombard the walls of many big cities.

Ling Zhen asked suspiciously: "Avoid the existing formula?"

"Yes, the proportion of saltpeter must be large. I read "Wu Jing Zong Yao", it seems to be half, less, too little, and its proportion should be increased, and it is impure, that is, there are too many impurities. Try Try boiling it to see if it can increase its purity. In short, I have given the general direction, and you can handle the rest yourself."

Ling Zhen blinked his eyes, and silently repeated in his heart what Mr. Gao said just now.

Strange to say, it stands to reason that Mr. Gao shouldn't know about gunpowder, but he seems to understand it quite well, and he is very sure that he can develop better gunpowder according to the direction he said.

Gao Ming patted him on the shoulder and said: "The funds are in place, you just have to let go and do it bravely. If you need help, you can recruit it yourself, trial and error, don't be afraid of trouble, and don't be afraid of hardship or tiredness. I will wait for your good news! Don't look at it." Your small step of improvement may be a big step for the entire Great Song army."

Ling Zhen really saw a light called "expectation" in Gao Ming's eyes.

Ling Zhen kept nodding his head, "We must live up to your lord's expectations!"

When Ling Zhen walked out of Taiwei's mansion, Hua Rong passed him by, and he heard him muttering "one small step" and "one big step".

Hua Rong came straight to see Gao Ming, hugged him and smiled and said, "What chicken soup did you throw with that man just now?"

"It's just an ordinary chicken soup, and it's not all chicken soup. I really have high hopes for him."

Hua Rong leaned against Gao Ming's face, and whispered in his ear: "The imperial court asked me to train soldiers, and I also need encouragement. Can you tell me a few words about chicken soup?"

"Which one of us is with whom? Let's forget about such nonsense as chicken soup."

Hua Rong raised his eyebrows, and said with a low laugh: "Then you can sprinkle something else."

Gao Ming pushed him lightly, "What are you thinking about?"

"I didn't think about it." Hua Rong smiled and said, "Let's get down to business. Training will start tomorrow. Do you have any good suggestions?"

"You know better than me about training soldiers?"

"I understand, that's why I have a headache. Many of the lower-ranking imperial guards are foolish soldiers. It's good to obey the law and disobey the law, and some simply let themselves go. No matter what reason you say, you can't cheer him up! What kind of They have seen all kinds of beating and scolding methods by the officers."

To put it bluntly, each one is as thick as hob meat, with thick skin and no oil or salt.

You scold him, but he still refuses to accept it, and the more you scold him, the more you mess around.

"It's a waste of time to grind slowly." Gao Ming frowned, "This kind of person must be told to be afraid of you the first time they see you."

"I thought so too, but I can't gain prestige by killing people. Do I want to compete with them in martial arts? They are ordinary soldiers, and it's only natural for me to defeat them." Hua Rong poked Gao Ming's cheek , "Think of a way to help you find a husband."

"...uh... why don't we do this." Gao Ming whispered into Huarong's ear, "These soldiers have seen everything, but there is one thing they must have only heard of, and they have never seen it. Let them Experience and experience. However, you must first ask Hou Jian and the others to make clothes."

—

Ten days later, in the morning, at the school field in the suburbs.

500 people lined up in a square formation, standing upright with spears in their hands.

The military posture must stand well, this is the most basic, as the lower-level imperial guards, they can still do this.

As for the others, they can't guarantee it. Anyway, there are four elite forbidden troops, including Shenwu, in the war.

Hearing that Hua Rong, the commander of the Shenwu Army, was sent to train them, they wanted to laugh in their hearts, seeing many officers coming and going.

There was a practice performance where the top got hot and sent people down to go through the motions.

Standing straight, the spear movement is standard, it looks neat and uniform, and everyone is happy.

Get over the hurdles of this inspection, and you will be another hero who is fooling around.

They stood with their spears in their hands and had nothing to do, just looking at the layout of the surroundings. The strange thing is that the school grounds are surrounded by wooden walls, which are much higher than usual, with a full foot, which seems to separate the school grounds , The scene inside cannot be seen from the outside at all.

Just when he was distracted for a while, he suddenly saw a fence was overturned, and a group of cavalry rushed in. There were a dozen of them, all riding tall horses, and rushed straight towards them.

Everyone stood neatly in formation, suddenly not knowing how to react.

But I can also see clearly that these people are not wearing the clothes of the Han Dynasty in the Central Plains, the hats they wear are decorated with fur, and there are strange pendants hanging on the horses.

Someone yelled, "It's the Liao Army—"

Liao army?Familiar yet unfamiliar!

What is familiar is that everyone knows that they are Da Song's enemies, powerful and ferocious monsters who kill without batting an eyelid.

Strange because there has been no war for a hundred years, even the old man has never seen a war, let alone them.

There were screams, and as the cavalry rushed in, the unscrupulous few charged back and forth, where there was no formation, only scattered for their lives.

Someone rolled and crawled towards the gap where the cavalry came in, only to find that it was closed by the outside at some point.

Someone threw away his spear and climbed up the fence, hoping to get out. Suddenly, an arrow flew straight at his shoulder, and he fell down with an ah.

The escape was still going on, and in the rushing horseshoes, the defeated soldiers were like turtles in a urn, leaving only pure "masochistic killing."

Rolling and crawling, hiding from place to place, looking at such performance, the cavalry became so angry that they all got off their horses one after another, and beat everyone they met, and after a while, they wailed all over the ground, and those who were not beaten shrank back. Trembling in the corner of the wall.

"Trash! You bunch of trash!"

A "Liao army" in the middle of the field suddenly cursed loudly in Chinese, and whipped a soldier lying on the ground with his horsewhip, and said angrily to the surroundings: "I didn't expect you to be useless, but I didn't expect you to be so useless! What you have in your hand is a weapon, not a fire stick! The Liao army really came here today, are you all waiting to die?"

Everyone looked at these so-called Liao people in surprise.

I saw one of them take off his hat, pointing to himself, "See this clothes clearly, your enemy is dressed like this!"

I have seen everything, but I have never seen the real Liao people.

At this time, the person who was shot by the arrow just got up slowly and found that he was not injured, the arrow had no arrow at all, and he stared blankly at the people in the field.

The other soldiers who had been beaten sorely, with bruised noses and swollen faces, felt as if they had saved their lives. They held their breaths in shock and looked at this man.

This handsome man announced loudly, "I am Huarong, and I will be responsible for training you from today!"