20demayo Page 1419
Page 1419
"It's simple, just have someone spread the word."
"Having heard that the four bandits are causing trouble, Zhao Ji is furious again today,"
"The officials must remain in the palace to devise a strategy."
"If a solution cannot be devised, the palace will not be allowed to leave."
Zhao Yuan asked curiously, "Will people outside the palace believe this?"
"Yes, Emperor Huizong was furious a few days ago,"
"The news that all the officials would be executed has already spread throughout the city."
"It is not surprising that Emperor Huizong of Song detained all the officials today."
"Of course, if the detention lasts too long, it will still arouse suspicion,"
"However, if the Liang army arrives in Tokyo tomorrow, we will detain them for one day."
"But no one would doubt it."
The news of the execution of all the officials was spread by the upright officials themselves.
The original intention was to let the people know that Zhao Ji had repented.
It can also win over the hearts and minds of the people.
But unexpectedly, they are now being used by Zhao Yuan.
After Li Bangyan started,
Those who sold out for personal gain immediately began to jump out.
Zhang Bangchang stepped forward and said, "I have an idea that might help the Great Liang take the other three capitals."
Apart from the 200,000 troops stationed in Bianjing (Kaifeng) during the Northern Song Dynasty,
The most numerous were the other three capitals.
Each location had 20,000 imperial guards.
It also has the largest reserves of money and grain.
Of course, Zhao Ji has already squandered all the money.
But there is still plenty of food.
Zhao Yuan heard that they could conquer the three capitals.
He immediately became interested and asked curiously, "Tell me about it."
Zhang Bangchang cautiously said, "This humble servant believes that Your Majesty can have Zhao Ji write an imperial edict."
"Send someone to take over the duties of the other three capital garrisons and control the military,"
"The three capitals may be able to surrender to the Great Liang without losing a single soldier."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuan also began to ponder.
The Liang army will arrive in Tokyo tomorrow.
The fact that the Liang army had entered Tokyo could not be concealed.
In just a few days
The news will then spread.
To replace the other three garrisons remaining in the capital,
Therefore, we must send someone out today.
Moreover, these three people cannot be from Daliang.
Otherwise, the garrison commanders of the three capitals probably wouldn't believe it.
After all, the sudden replacement of those who remained on duty was already suspicious.
Then came another person I'd never seen before in the court.
It seems the garrison commanders of the three capitals will need to verify this further.
Delay the handover of power slightly.
That will give them away.
Zhao Yuan nodded and said, "Alright, this plan is feasible."
"Then let's send three men to serve as garrison commanders in Yanjing, Nanjing, and Xijing."
"Li Bangyan, you're still short one person. Who's willing to help?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than someone rushed forward.
"The humble King Shiyong is willing to share the King's burdens."
Zhao Yuan glanced at them and said, "Alright, then it's the three of you."
"Seeing how hard you've worked,"
"I can't show favoritism,"
"Let each of them be rewarded with one of Emperor Huizong's concubines,"
"Shi Xiu will take them there."
Su Yuanjing saw these despicable people kicking him when he was down.
They also knew that the Song Dynasty was doomed.
But they were unwilling to let the villains get away with it.
He stepped forward and said, "This humble servant, Su Yuanjing, also has a plan to offer."
Chapter 1710 Even the Pure Stream Comes to Be a Lackey
"The Song Dynasty's treasury was empty, and the Great Liang absorbed many soldiers,"
"I'm afraid we urgently need money and supplies."
"Most of the wealth has now been amassed by corrupt officials like Cai Jing,"
"If Your Majesty were to confiscate the property of these traitors, it would be enough to cover several years' worth of the national treasury's revenue."
Zhao Yuan asked incredulously, "Could that be equivalent to several years' worth of national treasury revenue?"
He also knew that there was a saying in later generations that "killing Heshen enriched Emperor Jiaqing."
However, Heshen is considered the most corrupt person in history.
He also planned to raid the homes of Cai Jing and others.
But they dared not imagine that they could extract several years' worth of national treasury revenue.
Su Yuanjing first said, "If we sell their collections of calligraphy and paintings, antiques, land, and houses..."
"It will certainly exceed fifty million strings of cash."
"In the years when Cai Jing was in power, the national treasury had a surplus of fifty million strings of cash,"
"Then they praised the abundance and prosperity of the land, encouraging the Song emperors to build palaces and gardens for their own enjoyment,"
“Squander all fifty million strings of cash.”
"Although the emperors of the Song Dynasty were fond of pleasure, they were not rulers who seized wealth by trickery or force,"
“He would spend money from the national treasury to build palaces and gardens.”
"The reason why public resentment has boiled over is entirely because these treacherous officials withdrew money from the national treasury,"
"They lined their own pockets and then went to the people to extort and plunder."
"That's what caused public resentment to boil over."
"Most of those fifty million strings of cash ended up in the pockets of those treacherous officials,"
"In addition to Cai Jing and others selling official positions,"
"Using one's position to embezzle or solicit bribes,"
"Cai Jing, Liang Shicheng, and Zhu Mian were all incredibly wealthy."
Su Yuanjing was different from Li Bangyan and others.
Although they submitted to the Great Liang
He still didn't address Zhao Ji by his given name.
Instead, he was referred to as the emperor of the Song Dynasty.
Zhao Yuan did have some recollection of Su Yuanjing's name.
An honest official who appears in Water Margin
He was also a key figure in facilitating Liangshan's surrender to the imperial court.
However, Zhao Yuan did not promote people indiscriminately based on a vague impression.
"Cai Jing, Liang Shicheng, and Zhu Mian have been taken down by me,"
"Their crimes are heinous, so it goes without saying that their homes will be confiscated."
"Can you provide more information about corrupt officials?"
Su Yuanjing nodded and said, "This humble servant can list all of Cai Jing and Liang Shicheng's henchmen."
“They amassed a great deal of wealth by taking advantage of the power of Cai Jing and Liang Shicheng.”
"And the other one is the eunuch Yang Jian,"
"The Western City Land Acquisition Office, which he established, also amassed a great deal of wealth,"
"His family wealth was comparable to that of Cai Jing, Liang Shicheng, and Zhu Mian,"
"However, Yang Jian has recently fallen ill and is staying at home, and it is said that he will not live much longer."
Zhao Yuan slapped his forehead and said, "How come I didn't think of that fellow?"
“He took all of my family’s land.”
"This fellow has committed numerous evils. If we let him die peacefully, wouldn't it be a shame that Heaven is blind?"
"But now is not the right time to apprehend this thief,"
"Let's wait until the army enters the city tomorrow, and then we'll capture this thief first."
"As for Cai Jing and Liang Shicheng's henchmen, you should list out those who have committed numerous evils,"
"Some people, although they were disciples of them,"
"Whether it's for self-preservation or for promotion, it's all human nature."
"I won't hold it against you then,"
“Just list out those who depend on them and commit many evils.”
In recent years, Cai Jing and Liang Shicheng have controlled the government.
Most of the officials in the court were dependent on them.
They had originally heard that Su Yuanjing wanted to use them to claim credit.
It was also terrifying.
Hearing that Zhao Yuan did not intend to wipe them all out,
Then he breathed a sigh of relief.
Su Yuanjing hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is merciful, but this matter is of great importance."
"I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to draft a list together with several ministers."
Zhao Yuan nodded and said, "Okay, which guests would you like to invite?"
Su Yuanjing then found four more upright officials in the court.
They are all people who are usually honest and upright.