However, as a post horse, it is still possible to use it. Even Lu Huiqing came up with the way to chariot soldiers back then.

It is impossible to drive the cart immediately, but it is okay to pull the cart.

The biggest benefit of raising horses is that they are cheap. At the same time, the mortality rate of horses is much lower than that of official horses. Once the horse dies, the people will lose money. At the same time, the court also saves a lot of expenses.

As a stopgap strategy, it is OK to protect horses, and there is no way to do so. However, it is indeed a fact that disturbing the people. At the home of ordinary people who were originally wealthy, the court suddenly asked you to raise an official horse. How would you feel?

This official horse cannot die, and if it dies, it will be compensated. An official horse has a market price of 100 cents, and even a third-class household cannot afford it. Then you have to be careful to serve it.

In this way, the people are generally not afraid, but they are afraid that the officials are tampering with you. For example, when sending official horses, the officials deliberately give you a sick horse, and you will die after you raise a horse for a few days...

Or if you raise a horse well, the official said that you would raise it for him and ask you to pay for it. Therefore, many ordinary people's operations are to raise the horses at home, and when the government collects the horses, they buy a good horse to serve. Or if they don't raise it directly, they will directly take a homely horse to serve it.

The imperial court opened a gap here, allowing private horses to become officials.

The premise of this policy is that there is no horse-dress in the Song Dynasty.

Now that Liangzhou has been captured, Qingtang has almost completely defected to the Song Dynasty. Whether it is Liangzhou's horses or Qingtang's war horses, they can be continuously imported into the Central Plains.

However, the northwest of Ma City is likely to die from illness when going to the capital.

After Gao Taotao wanted to abolish the law of protecting the horse, Cai Que continued to object.

Cai Que had no choice but to do it because the law of protecting the horse was his political achievement. It was like abolishing the law of exemption from service. Zhang Yue resisted it and abolishing the law of protecting the horse, but Cai Que refused.

Since the Dharma is unchangeable, then leave.

...

In the golden palace, the dusk gradually faded.

Since Li Xian and Song Yongchen were expelled from the capital, Wu Juhou, the Jingdong Road Transport Transportation Envoy was demoted to Chengzhou Tuanlian and resettled in Huangzhou; while the Jingdong Road Deputy Envoy Lu Xiaolian, the Binzhou Tea, Salt and Wine Tax, Jian Zhoufu, Jian Xuchen, etc. were also expelled one after another.

The candlelight in the hall swayed, reflecting the solemn faces of the censors.

The Censor Wang Yansou, holding a tablet in his hand, said with a loud bell: "The Empress Dowager, I heard that those who are benevolent should be in a high position, but those who are not kind but in a high position are spreading their evils to the public. I found that Zhang Dunzi was frivolous and had no conduct of prosecutors, and had no courtesy to discuss politics in the temple, and had no ministers. He used strong and light words to make jokes, and used humor to swear together, and praised them to show his left and right. His words were spread in the capital, scattered to all four distances, and he said to laugh."

Everyone knew that Zhang Dun was arrogant and had been in line for more than one day or two.

"What's the matter? I heard that Zhang Dun dared to question the imperial court in front of the curtain and criticize the removal of the censors, and even secretly communicated with the demoted official Song Yongchen."

Before he finished speaking, Liu Zhi had already brought his scepter to the front: "I want to impeach Prime Minister Cai Que! When the late emperor was in great service, the three provinces ruled in the two provinces, but Cai Que avoided it. As a minister who was in charge of his life, it was really disrespectful to be so neglected by the late emperor!"

Zuo Zhengyan Zhu Guangting immediately agreed: "Cai Quemeng, the late emperor, was so disrespectful when he was sent to the position of prime minister. I would like to punish him!"

Empress Dowager Gao, who was behind the curtain, sighed: "Cai Que and Zhang Dun are both important officials of the late emperor. Now that the late emperor has just passed away, he is impeached like this. Isn't it hurt that the late emperor's wisdom to recognize people?"

When Liu Zhi heard this, he suddenly knelt down and kowtowed: "The Empress Dowager is the face of the Empress Dowager! When Zhang Dun discussed the rituals behind the curtains, he said wildly, "When he was frivolous, he was polite to some (the Empress Dowager)". This sentence was frivolous, and all the civil and military officials in the court changed their expressions when they heard this!" He raised his head, his eyes flashed with anger, "The Empress Dowager is the mother of the late emperor, and now he is grandmother, and he respects the world. Zhang Dun's words are actually a destruction of etiquette and deeds. Please judge the crime with great disrespect!"

The sound of tea cups touching came from behind the curtain, which showed that Empress Dowager Gao was really angry. When the censors retreated, she turned to the young emperor beside her: "Do you understand the officials?"

The young emperor replied respectfully: "The grandson remembers the teachings of his grandmother."

Empress Dowager Gao looked at the darker sky outside the hall and said meaningfully: "When the late emperor was there, they were indeed loyal ministers. However, the times changed and the world changed."

The eunuch came from outside the hall: "Han Zhen, deputy envoy of Privy Councilor, asked for a visit!

Empress Dowager Gao, behind the curtain, nodded slightly. Since she ruled the government behind the curtain, she has deliberately changed the rules - if there are any secret matters, the ministers can report directly to the front without the master's command. As soon as this opening is opened, there will be a shortcut to the court.

Therefore, the officials also used this method to bypass Cai Que and Lu Gongzhe's prime minister's report.

Han Zhen cleaned his clothes and entered the hall, and the purple-robed jade belt shone with a faint light under the candlelight. Empress Dowager Gao remembered clearly that it was this person who secretly wrote "Zhang Yue, Cai Que, Zhang Dun, and Xing Shu to plan the decision together." Such a villain who was prone to make trouble was particularly easy to use.

"Han Qing was calm." Empress Gao's voice was warm, "The day before yesterday, Cai Qing returned to the court and wanted to promote Gao Zunhui as a guard. Zhang Wen was appointed as a ward. Han Zongwen joined the office. What do you think?"

Han Zhen immediately said seriously: "Gao Zunhui is a member of the Empress Dowager's tribe, Zhang Wen is the younger brother of Zhang Fei, the Minister of the Secretariat, and Han Zongwen is even the nephew of the minister. If he is out of order, he is afraid that the people of the world will think that the court is nepotism." As he said that, he glanced at the back of the curtain and added: "I dared to speak out loud, and I hope the Empress Dowager will understand clearly."

The sound of tea cups touching came from the curtain. Empress Dowager Gao sighed, "You are really selfless. It's just that Cai Qing's kindness is so good that it's hard to push back."

"The late emperor once said, "The plan is too much, and the decision is too much." Han Zhen suddenly knelt down on the ground, "The Empress Dowager should make arbitrary decisions. If everything is entrusted to the masses, it is not a blessing for the country."

Empress Dowager Gao nodded slowly, Han Zhen was also a good person. She leaned forward slightly: "Let's talk about Han Qing."

Seeing that the time was ripe, Han Zhen's voice suddenly increased: "Han Qi returned to Yonghouling and repeatedly asked to resign from the position of prime minister. Yingzong thought of his decision-making achievements and insisted on keeping him. Now Cai Que returned to the court from Yuling. Not only did he not want to retreat, he immediately took the matter after receiving congratulations in Jiying Hall. His greed for power and position are well known to everyone!"

The candlelight in the hall flashed and dark, which made Han Zhen's face look gloomy. He continued to add firewood and fire: "Cai Que and Zhang Dun's friend were traitors, one was slanderous and the other was arrogant and domineering. If these people who are not obsessed with the emperor are not eliminated early, they may cause troubles!"

"I hope the Empress Dowager will make a decision early, stop the political affairs, use the national constitution to comfort China and foreign countries."

Empress Dowager Gao nodded when she heard this, but pretended to be silent and said, "Your Majesty has not been here for a long time, so it is not advisable to leave the minister lightly."

"The Empress Dowager is clear!" Han Zhen robbed the land with his head, "Cai Que claims that the world cannot be separated from him, and this is a great crime of disrespect. I beg for the sage and kindness to make arbitrary decision."

"Like Cai Que, who praised the public for his reputation, was greedy and deceitful, said that the world today must be safe for oneself. If you despise the court, you will not be inferior to the position, and you will be punished by the great crime. I hope that the wise and kindness will be deeply investigated and will give you wisdom and judgment!"

...

The dusk gradually dyed the palace walls, and Han Zhen walked out of Chongzheng Hall in a square step. The purple-robed jade belt shone with a dark luster under the setting sun. He had a smug smile on his lips. Just before the curtain, the Empress Dowager praised his "selfless" advice.

"Brother Yuru is so majestic."

A chuckle came from behind the corridor column. Cai Jing and Cai Bian brothers came together. The former had a smile on his face, while the latter did not hide the ridicule in his eyes.

Cai Bian played with the ivory tablet in his hand and said with a pun: "Han Shumi's advice can probably go straight to history."

Cai Bian said to Cai Jing: "Han Zhen thought he had submitted a letter of fame to the old party, so Sima Guang regarded him as his own."

"Yuan Du's words are wrong." Han Zhen's smile was slightly stiff, and he was about to defend himself when he suddenly saw Su Song, the deputy envoy of Privy Councilor, stepping quickly, and the hem of the purple robe was carried like a wave by rapid steps.

The two met Daqi.

"Two Scholars Cai!" Su Song did not care about greetings, and his voice was extremely low. "Northern border urgently reported that Xiao Xi, the general envoy of the Liao Kingdom, had already crossed Baigou, threatened to his companion that if the annual quota did not increase to one million, he would not return to the former land of Xixia. The Liao lord would all set up 700,000 cavalry to go south, slaughter the four routes of Hebei, and drink horses from the Yellow River!"

Cai Jing was shocked and the memorial fell to the ground. When he leaned over and picked it up, he caught Han Zhen's pale face in an instant.

The Privy Councilor, who was just planning to surrender to the old party, was trembling at this moment.

Cai Bian sneered and said, "Where are the censors like Liu Qizhi and Wang Yansou? They impeach ministers on weekdays. What strategy do you have to defend the enemy at this moment?"

"Yuandu is careful!" Cai Jing pretended to stop, but his eyes were shining, "Duke Wei was the last emperor entrusted an important official, and it was time to do so."

Before he finished speaking, Cai Bian suddenly pulled his brother's sleeve. The two of them looked along his gaze, but saw a team of imperial guards galloping past with torches, tearing the dusk apart.

The two of them said goodbye to Su Song and Han Zhen and left with their own thoughts.

"Did you see it?" Cai Bian's voice was as cold as ice. "The Empress Dowager has been hanging up for nearly May. The soil in Yongyuling has dried up before he remembered the last emperor's will. Now Hu horses knock on the edge, and he asked Duke Wei to clean up the mess."

"Otherwise? Who else is there in the court now?" Cai Jing asked.

Cai Bianqu said in detail: "Cai Que, Zhang Dun was impeached by the censor, and he was waiting for punishment! Sima Guang was sick, and Zhang Zi warned him of illness!"

Cai Que and Zhang Dun were also impeached by the censor and did not take the initiative to resign from the minister. As for Sima Guang's health as the prime minister, Zhang Zhi had been in a bad state, and after a long talk with Zhang Yue that day, he also fell ill at home.

Cai Jing stroked the jade belt around his waist and suddenly chuckled: "Brother, can you tell me that the battle of Zhenmiao Chanyuan? When Duke Kou Lai was demoted, no one was concerned about it. The Khitan called him and recalled him overnight."

Cai Bian said: "I'm afraid it's not easy. Now Cai Que and Zhang Dun are about to give up. The Empress Dowager still has not summoned Duke Wei."

A rapid bell interrupted his words.

The two of them looked towards the direction of Chuigong Hall at the same time - it was the alarm bell to summon the ministers of the two prefectures. In the twilight, the bells were wrapped in the wind and snow of the northern border, and they hit the red walls of Bianjing one after another.

...

In the Zichen Hall, agarwood was swaying. Zhang Yue followed the eunuch through the palace gates and looked at the familiar red walls and green tiles, as if he was a different world.

The priests in the hall had already attended. Sima Guang was sick and was in the court. His pale face could not hide the sharpness in his eyes. Han Wei, Fan Chunren and other important officials were also present. Zhang Yue's eyes swept over and knew the profound meaning of the Empress Dowager's summoning this time.

The eunuch arranged a chair for Zhang Yue to sit on, and was ranked above the priests.

The eunuch brought the chair of Rosewood and placed it at the top of the ministers. Zhang Yue bowed his hand and sat down calmly - even if Cai Que was in the court, he should belong to him, let alone Wen Yanbo and Wang Anshi.

Facing the prime ministers, Zhang Yue did not give in. When he first established the court, the right prime minister Lu Gong was under him. He maintained the right etiquette towards Lu Gong, Sima Guang and other Jiayou old ministers, and he was neither humble nor arrogant, but also had a bit of old friendship.

As for the four friends of Jiayou, except Wang Anshi, they were all in the hall, and Han Wei was promoted to the priest.

"Is there any difference? "Sima Guang coughed and greeted. "Jun Shi's brother worked hard for the country before he recovered from his illness, which is admirable." Zhang Yue was very respectful in his rituals.

When everyone met, they first reminisced about the past.

The atmosphere in the hall was subtle. When Cai Que and Zhang Dun were at that time, they never talked to their old party members except for official duties. However, Zhang Yue was different from the top scholar and the top scholar, Wu Chong's son-in-law's prominent family, and the outstanding achievements of the prime minister in the fifth year all made him naturally close to these old ministers. At this moment, the reminiscence of the past is endless, and it seems that he has reunited with his old friends for many years.

Cai Que and Zhang Dun had little experience and were promoted too fast at the same time. The late emperor was determined to be promoted without formal procedures and there was not enough people's expectations. Therefore, as soon as the late emperor picked it up, they seemed to have a very shallow foundation.

At the same time, they had no friendship with Sima Guang and Han Wei.

After a while of reminiscing about the past, Zhang Yue sat in the head, and Han Wei and Sima Guang were not dissatisfied.

Suddenly, three sounds of the whip, the Empress Dowager and the young emperor arrived.

Sima Guangqiang presided over the palace discussion.

Zhang Yue heard Sima Guang's words and knew that there was nothing new.

Sima Guang's strategy is to carry out appropriate strategic contraction when the empire is not strong.

Zhang Yue thought of a very controversial issue in the late Ming Dynasty. Xiong Tingbi, the governor of Liaodong, once advocated giving up western Liaoning north of Shanhaiguan. Later, Wang and Sun Chengzong had a debate on whether to defend Liao or abandon Liao in Jin.

This is a topic that Mingshi enthusiasts love to discuss on Tieba.

It is whether the national strength of the Ming Dynasty at that time should be given up.

But this was not the case in the Song Dynasty. When Li Yuanhao raised his troops, he repeatedly attacked the Fourth Route of Shaanxi and even threatened Chang'an. Now Dangxiang can only defend himself and have no offensive power.

Finally, Sima Guang replied: "The old minister thought that he should follow the old Jiayou system and repair it with the Xia Kingdom. Return part of the territory, increase the annual quota of 700,000 yuan, and exchange for peace on the border."
To be continued...