Chapter 4 Chapter Six

Kang Shi Tang Kang rubbed his eyes, the sun outside Yushitai seemed to be extraordinarily bright, making his eyes hurt.He looked around intently, except for a few servants, no one was calling his name.He smiled self-consciously, no one dared to pick up his released relatives and friends outside Yushitai, and for some reason, he had auditory hallucinations.He looked up at the bright blue sky, Bianjing was still hot, and the sun was unbearably hot, but he felt that this sun was so kinder than the sun inside Yushitai; The air in Yushitai was so fresh and pleasant. He closed his eyes and took a long breath of fresh air.

Erlang, Mr. Daguan Wen is hosting a banquet at Songmo Village in the south of the city to surprise you. An old servant of the Tang Mansion urged in a low voice beside Tang Kang. Tang Kang nodded slightly, but looked back at the gate of Yushitai, as if he wanted to keep this experience in his heart forever.Only then did he turn around and get on the carriage.Seeing him getting into the carriage, the old servant followed him, sat outside the carriage door, greeted the coachman, and the carriage drove straight towards the south of the city. Sitting in the carriage, Tang Kang stared blankly at the passing Bianjing street scene through the window with squinted eyes. Until now, he was still in a daze.It took a long time before Tang Kang realized that he was not dreaming, that he had indeed escaped from prison and regained his freedom.

Half thorn, that's what the censor who released him called him. Tang Kang still doesn't know what his new official position is, but he was originally Zhizhou. Others call him, be more polite, he can be called Zhuancheng, Wuma, Zima, But there is absolutely no reason to call it a half-thorn.So, was he demoted to a certain state as a general judge? Tang Kang couldn't help but calculated in his heart. It is much better to pass the sentence and pass the sentence than to lose freedom in Yushitai.Even if it is dispatched to Yuanzhou, as long as it is not an idle job like a supervisor, the general judge is a position with great power after all, and it can make a difference.

Uncle Fu.Tang Kang suddenly remembered something, and called out to the old servant outside the car door: How did you come to Bianjing?He hadn't asked about the affairs of the mansion for a long time, but he remembered clearly that when he left Beijing last time, this old servant was still helping his father with business in Hangzhou. Master sent me here.Tang Fu replied with a smile outside, Hangzhou is in a mess, the master can't separate himself, let me take care of it first. Tang Kang nodded in the car. Knowing his father is more like a son, he naturally knows his father's style of doing things. Although such a big thing happened to his precious son, if it is something that Shi Yue can't do, he, Tang Gannan, is here too. It doesn't help.So it's better to stay in Hangzhou to handle his business, so as not to delay the two ends.People in the Tang family will never waste too much time and energy on useless things.Every investment should be rewarded accordingly.

However, Tang Kang no longer seemed to appreciate his father's methods so much at this moment.At this time, he really wanted to feel the warmth of his family.Although he knew that he shouldn't have such thoughts, he was a man, and he was going to do something earth-shattering, so he shouldn't be fettered by these things.but Tang Kang suddenly missed Tian Liewu very much. Does Uncle Fu know what happened to Tian Zhiguo? Is it Tian Zhiguo who was in the same case with Erlang?It was released early this morning.I heard that I was exempted from all assignments and demoted by three levels

Tang Kang was a little relieved, but at the same time, a long-lost guilt filled his heart.The relegation of Colonel Zhiguo to Deputy Lieutenant Yihui is really a big blow. Under the new official system, there are so-called four major hurdles and two small hurdles in the promotion of military officers: the big hurdle refers to the promotion from the provincial level to the military officer. Xiaowei; promoted from Zhiguo to Zhenwei; promoted from General Dingyuan to General Mingwei; promoted from General Zhongwu to General Yunhui.These four major hurdles all correspond to great changes in identity and status. Without the corresponding martial arts and abilities, it is absolutely impossible to rise up only by grinding.The so-called Xiaokan refers to the promotion from Yihui to Zhiguo; the promotion from Zhaowu Xiaowei to guerrilla general.These two small hurdles are not much better than the big hurdles, and it is difficult to rise up without extraordinary meritorious deeds.You must know that once you become Colonel Zhiguo, you will be able to lead a battalion alone and participate in higher-level military meetings, and your status and status will be fundamentally different from before.Tian Liewu earned his true fame in the rain of guns and arrows. Originally, he relied on his ability to lead the army into Shu, and then made military achievements. From the fruit to his prestige, even Zhaowu, from then on, led the army alone. It is not difficult to become a real famous general in the first army.Although it is said that the green hills remain, he is not afraid of lack of firewood; but his bright future is indirectly ruined by himself.

Tang Kang didn't feel that he had changed unconsciously. If it was before, he would never have the slightest feeling of guilt. He would take all this for granted. What about Li Huying? Mr. Li is in charge of Xiongzhou.Tang Fu replied briefly, but was secretly surprised.I don't know how friendly these two people are with Tang Kang, and Tang Kang cares so much about their well-being. As the saying goes, there are people in the court who are easy to be officials, and this is not true at all.After a while, Tang Fu laughed again: This time Erlang and Admiral Gao are safe and sound.Admiral Gao was transferred to Yizhou, and he made it clear that he wanted to be reused.Erlang was also a blessing in disguise, and it was judged that the imperial court of the Daming Mansion was building a city and a fortress there.

Judge the Daming House?Tang Kang subconsciously asked back, but Tang Fu didn't hear anything back.He was promoted, and he knew it clearly, but instead of being happy and excited, he felt a burst of confusion.Doing the same thing, some people are promoted, some are reused, some are demoted, edited, and the future is bleak The absurd thing is that I, the instigator and the person who should bear the greatest responsibility, was actually promoted.Tian Liewu and Li Hun came to help him with enthusiasm, but they ended up in such a situation! These are things Tang Kang would never have thought about before.

But once I think about it, I feel so absurd. Is this politics? Is this the power of power? From the very beginning, he was mentally prepared that he would be dismissed from office, dismissed from office, and would be supervised by the editor. He had imagined various outcomes, but the only thing he didn't expect was promotion. The emperor and the Zhengshitang have their own reasons. Tang Kang made great achievements in Rongzhou. He was originally planning to be promoted. We can't just wipe out his achievements in Rongzhou just because of the Weinan case, right?If you want to add merit, why don't you have no excuses?It is not difficult to cater to the emperor's wishes.As a result, Tang Kang's achievements in Rongzhou were slightly exaggerated. Rongzhou's achievements will be promoted by two ranks, and the Weinan case will be demoted by one rank, or he will be promoted!

It was also a coincidence that the term of office of the two most steadfast proposals was about to expire, and in order to prevent further complications, there was a rebuttal.The emperor simply used his own personnel power in advance to let the two go out. In Zhao Xu's view, the post-mortem is just a tool he uses to check and balance the two governments. If it gets in the way and hinders him, it is perfectly normal to reduce the resistance through personnel changes.In the early years of Xining, in order to implement the new law, he even almost expel all the admonitions from Taiwan. But these inside stories, it is naturally impossible for Tang Kang to know at this time.

He slowly closed his eyes and meditated.Tang Kang is not a naive person, nor is he a hypocritical person.He will not pretend to be on the table, asking himself to be guilty of the same crime as Tian and Li.He didn't need to use such a method, which seemed hypocritical to him, to calm himself down. I will make it up to them.Tang Kang thought. This is the art of power.Tang Kang once again experienced this thing personally.If you want to make a difference, you cannot resist it.Make it your tool. Songmo Village is a new manor that Shi Yue bought.The reason for this name is that there are centuries-old pine trees everywhere in the manor; and Shi Yue raised dozens of high-quality Hetao horses here.The skill competition of Baishuitan gradually became fixed, and a tradition was formed. It was held after the autumn every year. After the scholars finished their examinations, they just needed to relax and vent. Therefore, the skill competition of Baishuitan became the city of Bianjing. carnival festival.Horse racing was spread from the skill competition, and gradually became one of the favorite sports programs of Bianjing citizens.The dignitaries and ordinary citizens of Bianjing can't wait for the grand event that only happens once every three years. Every year after the autumn harvest and before the winter solstice, Kaifeng Mansion will hold a festival that lasts for nearly ten days in the north of Bianjing. Horse racing meeting.From princes and aristocrats to ordinary people, as long as they have horses at home, they can sign up and win a prize of up to 3,000 guan. In the 17th year of Xining, they can buy five to seven mansions in Bianjing City .During these ten days, Guanpu is a legal act.Anyone can bet, and the winner or loser of the horse race bet is Kaifeng Mansion.The Kaifeng government used all the proceeds for the welfare of the Pharmacy Bureau, the Salesian Bureau, the Nursing Home (a place for adopting the widowed and lonely poor and beggars), and the Louze Garden (an institution for free burial of abandoned corpses and dead bones) mechanism. The citizens of Bianjing, no matter they are high or low, are so obsessed with this activity.One year, King Yong Zhao Hao even wanted to play in the valley competition in person, but the officials of Kaifeng government thought that the competition might lose its fairness, so he had to return angrily.And the emperor who was in the palace confinement once wanted to send the most exquisite equestrian in the palace to compete, but was dissuaded for the same reason, and the emperor lost his temper because of this. Shi Yue, who has always been indifferent, is not immune.The Hetao horses raised in Songmoyuan are prepared for the horse racing meeting.In the two years since he returned to Beijing, he deliberately didn't dare to show off too much because of avoiding suspicion, but he kept it in his heart for a long time.In the winter of the sixteenth year of Xining, Shi Yue finally couldn't bear it anymore, and sent someone to find Murong Qian, bought more than 20 Hetao horses at one go, and bought this manor specially, with the purpose of making a blockbuster in the horse racing meeting. It's just that Shi Yue's information is too occluded in this regard. Only in Prince Yong's Mansion, because Zhao Hao has always loved horses, there are 80 good horses raised in the Prince's Mansion, among which there are more famous horses than all the Hetao horses in Shiyue.As for the family of Guo Kui, who won the first prize last year, although there are not many horses, every horse is very valuable.In the fifteenth year of Xining, a little-known commoner took away a bonus of 3,000 guan. Hidden dragons and crouching tigers at the horse racing meeting, no matter whether they are princes, nobles or ordinary people, they should not be underestimated.For example, Yongwang Mansion is a big hit every year and enters the finals every year, but since the horse racing meeting, it has never won the first place. However, in this regard, it is difficult for human beings to measure with reason. Tang Kang already knew these things from letters, but this was the first time he saw Songmozhuang with his own eyes.This place is far away from Bianjing City. After leaving the Nanxun Gate, the carriage galloped on the official road full of locust trees for half an hour, then turned eastward and turned a small road. After running for an hour, you can see a stretch of pine trees that can't be seen at a glance In the middle of the woods, there are two roads, one is paved with gravel; the other is made of loess. The road is obviously for vehicles and horses.Tang Kang's carriage drove into the woods from this road, and ran for another quarter of an hour before seeing the gate of Songmozhuang. When Tang Kang got out of the carriage, he saw Shi Jian was already waiting at the door.Seeing Tang Kang get off the car, he ran over early to salute and smiled: Congratulations, Second Young Master. Tang Kang forced a smile, and looked at Shi Jian. After not seeing him for a few years, Shi Jian became more mature.Tang Kang knew that Shi Jian was already a father, and in fact he was already the chief steward of Shifu, but in his heart, he always thought of Shi Jian as his childhood playmate, silently smiled and patted him on the shoulder, but said nothing . Got home.Tang Kang thought so in his heart.This is no longer Rongzhou where everyone doubts you, fears you, hates you, plots against you, despises you, and fawns over your superiors and colleagues, and it is no longer a place where everyone looks at you condescendingly and interrogating you Yushitai.Here, he no longer needs to be so cautious, he can trust others with confidence. Shi Jian didn't say much, and led Tang Kang into the village with a smile. It is also hot in Bianjing city in summer, but as long as you go to the shade, you will feel very cool.But in Songmo Village, the pine trees almost covered the sun, and it was even cooler to the point of being a bit gloomy.Tang Kang looked around suspiciously, and asked: Where is the racecourse? Still on the east side, there is a river and grassland on the east side.Shi Jian smiled and said, this village is huge, there are more than one hundred tenants alone.When I bought it, it cost 100,000 guan.The original owner was in the silk business, and thought the feng shui here was not good, so he was in a hurry to sell it, otherwise, I reckon it would cost another ten thousand to twenty thousand guan. One hundred thousand?Tang Kang shook his head unconsciously.A medium-sized house in Bianjing City is only a few hundred guan.I really don't know what kind of Dafa this manor is. The two were walking and chatting, but they heard a rush of horseshoes coming from far and near, and they arrived in front of them in an instant.careful!Tang Kang didn't even have time to be amazed why there was a galloping horse, he saw a runaway white horse rushing towards him, he subconsciously pulled the sword and jumped towards the side of the road, and felt a white shadow rubbing against him And pass. Tang Kang and Shi Jianfang were still in shock, when they heard a series of shouts coming from behind the woods, grab it!Hugh told it to run away!Ouch, the beast is heading east.Dozens of housekeepers and tenants, either on horseback or on foot, with all kinds of things in their hands, followed closely, rounding up the frightened horse everywhere. Shi Jian frowned, and was about to step forward to help, lifted his skirt, and walked a few quick steps, before turning a corner, he saw a person coming diagonally from the side of the road, leaping up, grabbing the horse's mane, the whole person was like a flying swallow , floating up and down with the startled horse. Ouch!Ouch!The screams of the servants could be heard incessantly. Shi Jian saw that the man was agile, so he knew he was a martial artist, so he felt relieved immediately, and only ordered his servants to respond.But Tang Kang came over and asked: Who is the man who dropped the horse? But Shi Jian didn't see clearly, he shook his head, and asked the servant beside him: Does anyone know the name of that good man? After this question, no one knew who this person was.But the two of them didn't care too much, the village is very big, even the tenants may not all know each other well, not to mention that there are so many servants and servants here, it's normal that they don't know each other.Shi Jian asked what happened again, and it turned out that it was a fierce horse bought from Lingxia, which suddenly lost its rein and went wild.The crowd couldn't block it all the way, but let it come here. Just as he was asking a question, he heard shouts and cheers ahead. Following the sound of De De's horse's hooves, the person who had dropped the horse before came back slowly on the horse. Seeing the man who dropped the horse, Shi Jian was only in his twenties, he didn't look like a northerner, and he had never seen him before, so he couldn't help feeling puzzled.He greeted him with a smile, and was about to ask the person's identity, but he saw the young man dismounted from his horse, prostrated himself on the ground and waited for his sword. He was stunned, but he heard him say: Hangzhou Fubo Academy student Saijunjie level guard Zhong Zongze, knocked on the stone Bachelor, General Xue. Shi Jian hastily turned away, only to see Shi Yue and Xue Yi behind him at some point.Tang Kang was already so excited that he couldn't control himself, he prostrated himself on the ground, choked up and said: Brother. But Shi Yue didn't seem to hear Tang Kang's words, he just looked at Zong Ze and asked: What did you say your name was? The little Zongze, kowtowed to see the bachelor.Zong Ze answered calmly again. Zongze!Shi Yue murmured. But I heard Xue Yi laughing at the side: so that the scholars know that this Zongze is a rare talent in our naval ships and navy.After studying at West Lake College for two years, not only did he do a good job in essays and theories, he was also excellent in geometry and arithmetic, and he was also proficient in several Yi languages.Yijinglou wanted to invite him but he didn't, but he learned from Ban Dingyuan and joined the army. He applied for the Fubo Academy in Hangzhou and graduated first.It took me a lot of trouble to snatch him from Hangzhou Haichuan Navy.He introduced Zongze in such a way that he was extremely restrained.In fact, Zong Ze has been regarded as a prodigy in water warfare in Hangzhou Fubo Academy.Although he was only a small section in name, Xue Yi not only let him command his personal guards, but also gave him the command of his own ship.Whenever training and fighting, there is no need to seek Zong Ze's opinion beforehand.Xue Yi actually trained Zong Ze as his successor.Once he drank too much, Zeng told Zeng Bu in private: Once this son comes out, we should all stay away.Bringing him to Bianjing this time is also to introduce him to Shi Yue.There are people in the court who are good officials, although Xue Yi lacks all-round skills, he still understands these principles. How did you get into the navy?Listening to Xue Yi's introduction, Shi Yue suddenly asked Zongze. Zong Ze didn't seem to expect Shi Yue to ask him this question, he was taken aback for a moment, and then replied honestly: I am poor, Fubo Academy does not require tuition fees; the salaries of sea ships and sailors are rich enough to support their parents. Have you ever been married? I have married Chen's wife.Although Zong Ze wondered why Shi Yue asked such detailed questions, he still replied truthfully. But Xue Yi has seen that Shi Yue has a good impression of Zong Ze, he is secretly happy, because he smiled beside him and said: It is the younger sister of the imperial student Chen Xi. Shi Yue nodded slightly.Chen Xi has quite a literary reputation and is a well-known figure in the Imperial Academy, so he has naturally heard of it.But he asked this because he was very familiar with Zong Ze's life, he knew that Chen Xi's father regarded Zong Ze as his own, and the Zong and Chen families had been close friends for generations.The Chen family is a family of officials and eunuchs. Since Zongze's fate is largely running according to the original track, he knows that Zongze's admission to Fubo Academy is not entirely due to financial difficulties. Probably there is no need for you to cross the river three times and die.Shi Yue said in his heart.He looked at Zongze with complex emotions in his eyes, but he finally suppressed the urge to say more, and only smiled slightly: It is rare for a southerner to be so familiar with horse nature. On the other hand, he walked beside Tang Kang, bent down, patted his shoulder lightly, and said in a low voice: Get up, go home. Tang Kang's tears almost welled up in his eyes.He buried his head deeply, suppressed his tears, and slowly got up. Shi Yue didn't specially invite anyone to come to Songmo Village.Tang Kang used to be in charge of naval affairs in the Shufu, and he had an old relationship with Xue Yi.Because Xue Yi was leaving Beijing the next day and went to Lingyamen via Guangzhou, Shi Yue invited him here, not only to scare Tang Kang, but also to pick a good horse for Xue Yi's farewell party. Other than that, only Pan Zhaolin accompanied him. It was not time for the family banquet at this time, and because Zong Ze had just tamed the fierce horse, everyone became interested, so they first accompanied Xue Yi to the racecourse to pick a horse.Some family members came over with their horses, and everyone got on their horses and walked slowly.Xue Yi walked ahead with Shi Yue, but Pan Zhaolin and Tang Kang gradually fell behind.Zong Ze and all his followers followed from a distance, not daring to approach and disturb them. Pan Zhaolin was riding on the horse, squinting his eyes, glanced at Tang Kang from the corner of his eye, and said with a casual smile: Kang Shi knows that during the time you were in the prison, the capital has almost turned upside down Tang Kang smiled wryly and shook his head. Pan Zhaolin was also his teacher. Tang Kang knew his temperament and knew that he didn't need to talk too much.Sure enough, I heard Pan Zhaolin say again: "The two governments are changing frequently. Within a month or two, Guo Zhongtong was promoted from Chang Bo, Minister of Military Affairs, to the Tongzhi Secret Academy, and Sun and his father were promoted to Xia officials from signing shushu; Ying Tian; only a few days after Han Chiguo was transferred from deputy to Da Diao, Fan Chunren, who had been refusing to take over as Qiu Guan, suddenly changed his mind and reluctantly accepted the order. Beginning with a series of important personnel changes in the two governments, he briefly introduced the current situation to Tang Kang, as if Tang Kang was not about to pass the judge, but to serve in the capital. After all, Tang Kang has been isolated from the outside world for a long time.Pan Zhaolin patiently introduced the major events that happened in Bianjing for half an hour before he gradually understood the current situation in the capital.Obviously, the balance of power between the three parties in the two governments has been broken. Fan Chunren's change of original intention to serve as Minister of the Ministry of Punishment was only Wen Yanbo's last resort after he went abroad.But does this mean that the old party has given up the contest between Yushi Zhongcheng and Yizhou Luguanfengshi, and it is still too early to admit Lu Huiqing's victory.Maybe Sima Guang had other plans; maybe it was the emperor's illness that changed the focus of the fight. Pan Zhaolin was not a roundworm in Sima Guang's stomach, so it was impossible to know so clearly.But one thing is certain, Sima Guang suddenly fell silent on the issue of Yizhou, as if he was waiting for something. Sima Guang didn't give up so easily. Pan Zhaolin seemed to be talking to himself, but even though he racked his brains, he couldn't guess what Sima Guang was up to. Tang Kang just smiled wryly and remained silent.He was infinitely tired of these same parties.After being silent for a long time, he said in a low voice: The ministers tried their best to figure it out, but it was the people along the road in Yizhou who were wrong.He paused, looked up at Pan Zhaolin, and said in a deep voice: Mr. Pan, Yizhou is over. Pan Zhaolin raised his head in shock and stared at Tang Kang. I thought that the imperial court had replaced the officials of Yizhou's Fourth Division long ago. Unexpectedly, not only the imperial army has no leader, but even the admirals are still in Bianjing!Tang Kang couldn't even smile wryly at this time, even the admiral was still in Bianjing!He repeated that the imperial army was concentrated in the southwestern counties and each fought independently.The inner counties are already weakly defended. With the strength of one state and one county, I am afraid that even the bigger thieves will not be able to suppress them. Thieves, what will the court do? Could Kang Shi be a little too pessimistic?Tang Kang's voice was so loud that Shi Yue, who was walking in front, heard it too.He reined in his mount and walked back for a few steps, staring at Tang Kang steadfastly. Who knows better than me what happened in Yizhou?Tang Kang said angrily that the planners and the Xiansi are all mediocre people, and they still have some skills in exploiting the people, but the rest are useless.The imperial court has been using troops in Yizhou for many years, and all the way to Yizhou is full of dry firewood, and thieves are flocking.Therefore, if there is no chaos, firstly, the heavens are beautiful and there is no disaster. Otherwise, if there are sparks anywhere, the consequences will be unimaginable;Now that the Forbidden Army has been defeated, the folks don't know how it will be spread by those with other intentions.However, the envoys of economic affairs and admirals have been unable to take office for a long time. Most of the people in Yizhou know the tricks and envoys, and the greed, cruelty and incompetence of the constitution. Shi Yue and Pan Zhaolin looked at each other, both of them were skeptical.They all knew that Tang Kangsu was at odds with the officials of the Fourth Division of Yizhou Road. Judging from the examinations, the Yizhou officials were not as bad as he said, so they dared not rule out that Tang Kang was young and energetic and came to prejudice due to prejudice. possible. If you really want to mess up, it's too late to regret it.Fortunately, Gao Zunhui will take office soon, and Wang Hou and Murong Qian will arrive in Beijing soon. After these days, there will be a turning point.Shi Yue didn't know whether he was comforting Tang Kang or comforting himself, even if the wind watcher had to delay, since Gao Zunhui had arrived in Yizhou, he would not keep silent about what he had seen and heard.If he spoke on the table, the emperor would naturally believe it. I'm afraid that before Gao Zunhui arrived in Yizhou, someone would deliberately try to ruin his reputation.Three people become tigers, it is really hard to say who the emperor will trust when the time comes.Tang Kang said in his heart, but he also knew that saying nothing would help.Even if Gao Zunhui was safe and sound, he still won the emperor's trust. With Gao Zunhui's prudence, he would never dare to impeach two officials of the same level at the beginning of his tenure without collecting enough evidence.On this point, everyone knew very well in their hearts that waiting for Gao Zunhui's memorial would be half a year away at the earliest. By that time, no one in Yizhou knew what it had become. Tang Kang just said in a weary voice: the Southwestern barbarians cannot be eliminated urgently.Wang Hou and Murong Qian are probably not gods either. The root of everything lies in Shi Yue's lack of power.To avoid tragedies, Shi Yue must first be in power.Tang Kang, who had been taught by Pan Zhaolin's precepts and deeds since he was a child, naturally came to such a conclusion.Perhaps, the turmoil in Yizhou, from a certain point of view, is necessary; it is the pain that must be endured in order to get more. But these are not necessary to say. Tang Kang grasped the rein tightly, and his palms hurt from being strangled. What Kang Shi has to worry about now is not Southwest.Shi Yue also knew the persistence in Tang Kang's bones, so he didn't answer his words immediately, but changed the subject and said tactfully: "Let's put aside the matter of Yizhou first."Your new responsibility is in Hebei. Hebei?Tang Kang's tone was a bit disapproving, don't worry, brother, I will not disappoint you.Tang Kang is quite confident as a capable minister who governs the local area. Shi Yue took a look at Tang Kang, pinched the horse's belly lightly, turned the horse's head, and continued on his way, saying indifferently: Su Zizhan wrote me a letter, he suspected that Khitan intended to go south, and Xiao Youdan's mission is to To throw stones to ask the way. ah? !Even Xue Yi was surprised. But Tang Kang immediately became excited, he rode his horse to catch up a few steps forward, and asked: Really? No one expected this.Shi Yue said calmly, don't rely on the enemy not to attack.As long as we are prepared, we are not afraid of him going south. What the elder brother said is true.In an instant, Tang Kang was already smiling. Daming Mansion is the hub of Hebei's defense and the last line of defense north of the capital.Seeing Tang Kang's expression, Shi Yue couldn't help but smile and said: "Kang Shi's trip to Daming should be on defense.The biggest weakness of our dynasty and the founding of the country is the poor location of the capital.In the face of the strong enemy in the north, they are too passive, and often a decisive battle is related to the survival of the country.That's why the imperial court did not hesitate to waste money and people to build a city wall on the front line of Daming Mansion, and to equip the strong city wall with artillery to form a new Great Wall. Don't worry, brother, I have studied civil engineering in Baishuitan.Tang Kang laughed.In fact, he also accumulated valuable experience when repairing Rongzhou City. But the key to defense is not in the fortress.Shi Yue smiled and said, he glanced at Zong Ze who was following him from a distance, perhaps because of his poor background, in another time and space, Zong Ze trusted the commander of the Northern Rebel Army.The location is not as good as the people.Hebei provinces can rely on people, or people.You must remember. Tang Kang nodded silently. But even though Shi Yue said so, he was thinking of something else.Whether the Liao Kingdom will really go south is just Su Shi's private guess.Even Shi Yue himself was still uncertain.The Song Dynasty continued to consolidate the fortified defenses in Hedong and Hebei, and a large number of forbidden troops were stationed on the two routes. The Khitan may not dare to invade brazenly.Moreover, the current army and fortifications are sufficient to deal with the Liao army.He mentioned this more for Tang Kang's rejuvenation, and also hoped that Tang Kang could slightly change his style of doing things in Rongzhou.Hebei Road is full of aristocratic families, which is incomparable to him in the remote small county of Rongzhou, where he can do whatever he wants.Shi Yue was not selfless. Tang Kang went to the Daming Mansion to be a general judge. If Tang Kang devoted all his energy to civil affairs, and if he continued to go forward, he would offend many powerful and noble relatives.To deal with the tyrants in Hebei, you can't use Mandala wine to solve it, right? Tomorrow I will ask Dasu's book boy to meet you.Shi Yue laughed and said: If you go to Daming, you will inevitably have to deal with the Liao Kingdom.This book boy is very clever Kang Gong responded.He noticed that Shi Yue's expression was a bit strange, but he couldn't blame Shi Yue, Shi Yue never thought that Su Shi's book boy was actually called Lin Lingyu!If Shi Yue remembered correctly, Lin Lingsu, a famous Taoist priest of the Shenxiao Sect, was originally named Lin Lingsu!Speaking of which, this incident has a far greater impact on Shi Yue than Zong Ze's entry into the navy. Shi Yue smiled to himself, when everyone had arrived at the racecourse.There is a meandering small river with lush aquatic plants that can't be seen to the end at a glance. Dozens of horses are gnawing on the grass leisurely under the care of the horse breeders. Kang Shi and Zong Ze each choose a horse.Shi Yue held his whip and laughed. Tang Kang and Zong Ze quickly expressed their thanks.But a childish voice asked loudly: Daddy, what about me? Everyone followed the prestige, and saw a little girl led by Jin Lan and A Wang, jumping off a small bay red horse quickly, and ran towards Shi Yue.Tang Kang knew that this must be Shi Rui's child who grew up too fast, and he could hardly recognize it after a few years away from Beijing. Shi Yue got off the horse quickly, his eyes were slit into a smile, he bent down to pick up his daughter, but suddenly remembered that he was still in the punishment period, so he sternly said, "Don't you have a horse now?"Hurry up, I met my second uncle and General Xue.But there was no sense of majesty in his tone. Shi Rui walked up to Tang Kang and Xue Yi, looked at them with wide eyes, first bowed to Xue Yi, then walked up to Tang Kang, said with a smile: Second Uncle, I miss you so much. Tang Kang was so elated by her words, he picked her up and put her on his horse.Laughing: Lulu has grown taller again. Then second uncle give me a big horse, I want to ride a big horse!Shi Rui immediately begged solemnly. Tang Kangwan didn't expect that this little niece had already developed a character like a goblin, so he dared not agree, but if he didn't agree, Tang Er, who was decisive outside and made the children famous in Rongzhou and didn't dare to cry at night, turned out to be I don't know how to say no to her.He looked at Shi Yue as if asking for help, but it was Jin Lan who came over and smiled at Shi Rui: Second Uncle gave Lulu a big horse.However, let the second uncle help you raise it first, and wait for Lulu to grow taller before I can ride it for you.Okay? How tall does it have to be? Grow so tall again!Jin Lan drew with her pen and coaxed: I will take you to the zoo to ride an elephant tomorrow, okay? All right.Shi Rui thought for a while, and seemed to think that it would not take long to grow so tall, then nodded seriously in agreement. Shi Yue looked at Xue Yi, and teased: Shi Xian did a good deed. Xue Yi smiled awkwardly.The few elephants he flattered the Empress Dowager became the most popular among children in Bianjing Zoo.Even with him, General Xue and Zhu Nianguo, they are well known among the children in Bianjing. Tang Kang glanced at Jin Lan at this moment, and saw that Jin Lan was also looking at him. He suddenly felt a warm feeling in his heart, as if at this moment, he didn't mind his wife's complicated background. Do you want to go to Daimyo?He asked in a low voice that only the two of them could hear.But even in his heart, he didn't know if it was his own impulse. Jin Lan looked at Tang Kang in astonishment.She could hardly believe her ears. But Tang Kang turned his head away as if nothing had happened, and concentrated on making fun of Shi Rui. Do you want to go to Daimyo? These words kept echoing in Jin Lan's mind.Do I want to go to daimyo?She lowered her head and asked herself silently in her heart.Do I want to go to daimyo? In fact, Jin Lan didn't need to ask too many questions, she could know the answer in her heart. But can I go to daimyo? can i go She stared obsessively at Tang Kang who led the horse away, at Shi Rui who was yelling on the horse, and at her uncle and niece laughing happily, but her heart was entangled like a mess. At this time, Qin Guan was negotiating with Korea to borrow a huge amount of one million guan according to the order. Although she didn't know what the future would be like, she knew that because of this unprecedented huge loan, the relationship between Song and Li would enter a new stage. era.Goryeo also needs more talents to face this challenge to domestic orders, and even hopes that they can encourage some scholars who were unhappy in the Song Dynasty to become officials in Goryeo, and Goryeo will treat them with high officials and generous salaries. At this time, the Song Dynasty and the opposition were arguing endlessly about the future teacher of the prince.And whoever speaks for Zishantang is equally important to His Royal Highness Xin Guogong.For Song people, Zishantang Zhidao is only the teacher of the prince; for Koreans, Zishantang Zhidao is also the teacher of Xin Guogong! Moreover, the emperor of the Song Dynasty was seriously ill At such a moment, can she let Concubine Wang Xian fight alone? She thought about it very much, and immediately agreed to Tang Kang, and went to Daming Mansion with him.She really wanted to follow Tang Kang and play with Shi Rui However, her steps were very heavy.If you want to take any step, there are difficulties that others can't imagine. Can I go to Daimyo? Jinlan thought obsessively saint. The queen woke up suddenly and looked at Concubine Zhu suspiciously.But seeing Concubine Zhu frowning, standing in front of her with a heavy heart.sister, what's wrong? We need to ask the sage to make up his mind on this matter.Concubine Zhu hesitated. which thing?Empress Xiang looked at Concubine Zhu in puzzlement. Concubine Zhu lowered her head and said in a soft voice: Whether what Zi Shantang said directly can help Maid Zhao choose a good teacher.But Concubine Zhu lived in the deep palace all year round, and her natal family didn't have any outstanding people to rely on. She herself was just a concubine who abided by the rules of women's morals, so how could she know who was a good teacher?She cared about the fate of Maid Zhao, but she was afraid of being suspicious of the queen. After all, the sixth brother and the seventh brother are still the queen's sons in name.Women are extremely sensitive about this kind of thing.But all kinds of concerns were nothing compared to her concern for her son, so she still mustered up the courage to ask the queen for an idea. It was this matter that nodded lightly to the queen.Concubine Zhu's habitual respectfulness and indifference to the world, at least on the surface, offset most of the jealousy in her heart.In fact, from the moment she adopted Sixth Brother, she and Concubine Zhu have become a community of destiny. She didn't know how to burst out her long-hidden maternal love at that time, linking her destiny with Sixth Brother and Seventh Brother , Originally, she could ignore it aloofly.No matter who will inherit the throne in the future, she will be the empress dowager, and their biological mother will always be the empress dowager.But when she adopted Sixth Brother and Seventh Brother, everything changed.她感情的天平，無可避免地會傾向這兩個皇子，尤其是有嗣君身分的六哥趙傭。這其實不會帶給她和向家什麼好處越是與她關係生疏的皇子繼承為帝，在表面上，可能反而會對她和向家越好。但是，在心裡知道自己永遠不可能再有孩子後，向皇后早已將自己全部的母愛，傾注在淑壽、六哥、七哥三個孩子身上。如今她對朱妃偶爾的嫉妒，亦只會是因為她才是六哥的生母。 妹妹不用擔心。向皇后一面安慰道。 但是朱妃嚅嚅道，她不太敢問。到處都在傳說，桑充國與程頤都是皇太后挑中的人選。但她不敢問是不是真的高太后的威儀，根本不是朱妃膽敢挑戰的。而她也不知道，桑充國與程頤當資善堂直講，對六哥是不是好事？她聽說過桑充國的名字，對程頤卻完全陌生。 遲疑了好一會，朱妃才終於委婉問出來︰但是，外間都傳說桑充國、程頤不曉得 你不曉得，我又怎麼會知道？向皇后在心裡苦笑。為了這件事她操的心，遠比朱妃要多得多。太后那裡自然是不能問的，但是皇后畢竟多一些可以差使得動的內侍，聽保慈宮的內侍傳出來的消息，這件事只怕與太后無關。但是外頭的大臣，又都說桑充國與程頤的好，幾個內侍打聽了回來，都是極稱讚的。向皇后卻只知道桑充國是王安石的女婿，石越的大舅子受曹太后與高太后的影響，她對王安石印象不佳；但是對石越，她卻非常的看重。而那個程頤，似乎只是傾向舊黨一派的飽學的儒士。向皇后對於新舊黨爭，沒有太多的主見，但是在後宮的氛圍中，卻自然而然地在感情上比較同情舊黨一派。因此，她也說不出什麼不好來。 然而，只要一想到雍王，向皇后心裡就會忍不住格登一下。她與趙頊幾十年的夫妻，皇帝借病拖著不肯接受這個朝野齊聲稱讚的推薦，心裡不可能是沒有自己的想法的。 我想這兩人也是極好的。向皇后口裡卻只能安慰著朱妃，這事自有官家和外面的相公們做主。妹妹盡可放心好了。 朱妃勉強點了點頭，但只過了一會，卻終是不可能放心，又道︰聖人以為，要不要問問十一娘？她雖然不太多話，卻是極有主見的。且外面的事，她又知道的多 十一娘？向皇后不由得嘆了口氣，朱妃能想到的這些主意，她豈有想不到的？她早就問過清河幾次了。但是清河才惹出這麼大事來，這種大事，她哪裡又敢置喙？每次都顧左右而言它，絕不肯多說半句。但向皇后卻不肯說這些事情，想了一會，終於道︰也罷，我們一起去問問她罷。 她亦是一番好意朱妃既然提了出來，總要給清河一個機會自己來回答。將來朱妃是謝她罷，還是記恨她也罷，都由著清河自己決定。但她口裡雖然說去，卻畢竟是皇后之尊，沒有屈尊去靜淵莊的道理。當下喚過內侍，吩咐道︰去請清河郡主來。 yes. 此時，靜淵莊內。 清河與王昉正在花園裡手談著。狄環與桑充國的長子桑允文由下人們看護著，在一旁玩耍。兩個小孩都騎著竹馬一根細長的竹竿子，左手執定，右手各拿著一把木劍，臉上戴著除日買回來的面具，在院子裡吆喝呼叫著，互相追逐對斫。這本是自漢代以來，孩子們最喜歡的遊戲之一。兩個孩子年紀相若，玩得興高采烈，將一個好好的靜淵莊，搞得雞飛狗跳。清河與王昉卻似習慣了孩子的吵鬧，只是專心地下著棋，並不理會他們。 十九娘怎麼還不回來？過了一會，王昉眼見著敗局已定，便笑著把棋局一攪，不肯再下。口裡卻將話題岔開，以轉移注意力。 清河不覺莞爾。她知道王昉這個脾氣，卻是跟她父親學來的，真是父女天性，一點不差。因笑道︰她或是進宮去了。好像是答應了七哥，要教他劍術的。 十九娘還會劍術？王昉驚奇地問道。她認識柔嘉十幾年，只知道她會用鞭子抽人，可從未聽說過她還會劍術。 清河抿嘴一笑，道︰她是臨時抱佛腳，現炒現賣。在六哥七哥們面前要面子，臨時找幾個班直侍衛學幾招，然後便去哄小孩子。 那可真難為她了。王昉幸災樂禍地笑道。 清河的眉宇間卻似有憂色。大宋自立國以來，皇子的教育自有成法，雖說君子要習六藝，皇家對於射術亦非常看重，但是，清河卻知道，高太后是不喜歡皇子舞刀弄槍的。皇子要學的，是經邦治國的本事，要學道德文章，就算是要習武，那他們要學的也是萬人敵的本事。高太后經常說，如果一個國家搞得需要皇帝要靠自己的劍術來保護自己，那這個國家離亡國也不遠了。而且，一個皇子從小喜歡這些東西，長大為君後，會不會窮兵黷武？這樣的先例不是沒有過的。所以，高太后雖然也在民間提倡習武之風，但卻極為反感在宮裡教授這些東西。高太后的態度非常鮮明，六哥只要會拉弓射箭，能騎馬檢閱便足夠了。 正因為如此，宮裡從班直侍衛到內侍，可以說多的是武術高手，但是卻沒有人敢教六哥、七哥這些。 除了柔嘉。 她就敢偷偷摸摸教七哥這些東西。但即使是柔嘉，也不敢教六哥劍術。七哥和六哥到底是不同的。 從心底裡說，清河對柔嘉的行為是不以為然的。甚至於連自己的兒子，她也不希望他將來學武她不希望狄環如他父親一樣年紀輕輕就戰死沙場。而且，狄家也已經有先例，狄環有幾個叔叔，便做了文官。只是到目前為止，她的兒子並沒有遂她的心意讀書的時候用雷打都打不進，但是一到學馬術、射術之時，便興高采烈，而且似乎頗有天賦，常常讓教習武術的老師驚嘆不已。 因為這種心態，她也勸說過柔嘉好幾次，但是柔嘉雖說成熟不少，但性子從根子上說，卻到底是改變不了的。越是勸阻，她反而幹勁越足。說來奇怪，柔嘉在宮裡人緣似乎越來越好她這麼著胡鬧，宮裡的內侍宮女，竟也沒有人告她的黑狀。清河便也懶得多管了，乾脆得過且過。反正太后、皇后、皇帝，到眾太妃，都憐她是嫁不出去的老姑娘，便真惹出什麼事來，也不會特別嚴厲處罰的。 一想到這些事，清河又馬上聯想到最近給六哥、七哥找老師的事情。她不由瞥了王昉一眼，桑充國算是無緣無故便處在這個風暴的中心了，雖然聽說桑充國一直淡然處之，幾乎便是當這件事根本與他無關一般，但是清河與王昉卻是閨中密友，自是知道她脾性的她一定會到處設法探聽事情的真相。別人在不在乎皇太后是否親自點了桑充國的名她不知道，但是清河敢肯定，王昉是很在乎的。 果然，便聽王昉有一搭沒一搭地和她說著閒話，但是清河卻聽得清清楚楚，王昉是在巧妙地打聽著六哥和七哥的脾性、喜好。 清河也故意裝作沒有心機的閒談，有意無意地把宮裡的一些不甚要緊的事情洩露給王昉。她能夠理解王昉的苦心，所以也願意幫一些力所能及的小忙。 二人正說著話，清河忽然瞥見管家領著一個入內省的內侍匆匆走了過來。她認得是向皇后宮中的人，連忙起身相迎，笑道︰高班怎麼來了？所謂高班，是入內內侍省倒數第二級官階內侍高班的簡稱。 聖人請郡主進宮說話。這到底不是很正式的事情，兼之清河來來往往宮裡也是常有的事，那內侍便也只是略具形式便罷，宣過旨意，方又笑著給清河行禮。 清河聽到是向皇后召見，心裡不由又是格登一下。一面笑著答應了，又向王昉告了罪，也不敢讓向皇后多等，連忙隨著內侍進宮。 向皇后與朱妃心不在焉地說著話，一面等清河的到來。二人對清河的信任，其實都是由一些極小的事情建立起來，處理外家戚里的請託，出宮悄悄購買時髦的飾物，乃至於發型的式樣更多的則是借貸宮裡頭並不是如外人想像的那樣，有無數的錢財可供揮霍。高太后幾度主動削減宮裡的開支，後宮的用度已經減到不能再減的地步。而對於不到四十歲的向皇后與朱妃來說，卻正是需要大量化妝品的時候，而且兩人似乎總有無窮無盡的賞賜需要花錢。皇帝是個英主，關心的是如何中興祖宗的基業，國家財力艱難，這時候向皇帝開口，是很不明智的。而高太后在宮中的威信亦不容動搖，即使向皇后貴為皇后，亦不敢抱怨半句。而向家雖然很有錢，但是，皇后伸手向娘家要錢，這種事情，向皇后再怎麼樣也是做不出來的。而清河正可以幫她們解決這一困境。將節省出來的月分錢存進錢莊，變賣抵當過時的不想要的器物珍玩，購買便宜而又時鮮的飾物衣料 這些對清河來說並不是難事，因為狄諮的關係，汴京城裡的大商人，沒有人敢不給清河方便的。而且，清河也從不開口請託什麼事情。她真有什麼事情，都是直接求高太后，從不讓向皇后與朱妃為難。 十一娘在宮裡的地位是如此牢固，絕不是沒有原因的。而對於性格溫良得幾乎有點懦弱，又缺少主見的朱妃來說，清河在她心裡的地位顯然還要更加重要。 見清河由內侍引著走進殿中，朱妃彷彿見著救星一般，眼睛立時便亮了。 向皇后待清河行過禮，笑著讓她坐了，方欲說幾句閒話，朱妃卻已沉不住氣，走到清河跟前，拉著她的手笑道︰十一娘，姑嫂之間，本來便是一家人，聖人和我，可從未把你當過外人。這是要緊的時候，你也不能說見外的話來搪塞我了事。 清河是何等冰雪聰明的人，她這沒頭沒腦的一句話，清河心裡已是叫了一聲苦。口裡卻笑道︰娘娘說哪裡話來。民間有俗話說，長兄如父，長嫂如母。這些年來，更全虧了聖人與娘娘關照有加 朱妃不待清河說完，已是柔聲道︰十一娘，這些便不要多說。你雖不是公主，但聖人與我，實是視你比公主還要金貴些的。你知道，我在這九重之內，活了快二十年，外頭的事，你是自家人，也不怕你笑話，實是沒什麼見識可言。這件事，你須得給我拿個主意。 向皇后聽她這麼沒頭沒腦地只顧逼清河出主意，清河卻一臉惘然地望著自己，亦忍不住笑道︰她這是關心則亂，大約是急糊塗了。便是給六哥找老師的事，外頭都說桑充國、程頤。我們在宮裡頭，也不知道究竟怎樣，便想要十一娘你給個主意。 向皇后明明問過清河許多久，這時說出來，卻是彷彿頭一次問她一般，清河自然聽得明白，這是向皇后給自己在朱妃面前留著地步。她抬頭看向皇后，卻見向皇后溫柔體諒地望著自己，又看看朱妃，眼神裡卻盡是期盼的神色。 她垂下頭，抿著嘴，只覺得為難。早知如此，還不如早點和向皇后說了好。清河在心裡後悔著，向皇后還是個嘴巴嚴實的人，但朱妃卻是少了點心機，又不怎麼管得住宮裡的人，說給她知道，難免不會傳到太后與皇帝耳中她心裡一萬個不願意攙雜進去，皇太后的心意沒人知道，可皇帝心裡藏著彆扭，清河又豈能不知？ 但是，這時候若還不肯說話，只怕不僅連朱妃，只怕連著向皇后也要得罪了。在她們看來，這是多大的臉面啊？而且，將來六哥即位，這事又要怎麼算？ 清河想來想去，知道怎麼也逃不過去，又不敢想太久，咬咬牙，把心一橫，也不顧忌什麼了，口裡卻笑道︰我一個婦人，能有什麼見識，只怕誤了聖人和娘娘的大事。 你只管說，說說有什麼打緊的？朱妃忙道。 清河又移目向皇后，見向皇后微微頷首，方又說道︰那雲蘿便斗膽。以雲蘿之見，桑、程二人，還是極好的。 oh? 依雲蘿之見，用這二人，有幾樣好處。第一樣，兩人都是白水潭學院的教授，教書大概不外行。六哥出閣讀書，還是要有經驗有學問的師傅為好。第二樣，我常聽人說，這二人實是天下清議的領袖，大概人品是不錯的，不至於誤託奸人，讓些小人教壞了六哥。兼之桑充國又管著《汴京新聞》六哥天資聰穎，孝廉有德，但畢竟年紀尚幼，這些好處，還未為天下軍民所熟知，免不了還有小人要說些挑撥的話，若得這二人為師，師徒日日相處，想來二人亦當不憚揚君之德 向皇后與朱妃從未想到過這一點，這時想起不久前發生的事，雍王話語中，便似是暗示著六哥失德，二人不由連連點頭。 清河又道︰第三樣好處 向皇后與朱妃更凝神聽著，卻見清河半晌不肯出聲。向皇后奇道︰第三樣好處是什麼？十一娘怎不說了？ 便見清河騰地跪了下來，低聲道︰這個，雲蘿實在不敢說。 這裡並無外人，我們姑嫂說說閒話，又不是干政，有甚不敢說的？向皇后輕描淡寫地說道。 但這怎麼會不是干政！只是清河這會實已無退路，只能硬著頭皮繼續說道︰聖人知道雲蘿這番心意便好，否則雲蘿這般胡言，真要死無葬身之所。第三樣好處，是桑充國既是前頭王相公的女婿，又是石學士的大舅子，聽說他與程頤又是司馬相公諸君子所看重，朝廷臺諫，半數皆是二人之門生，故此這才許多官員為之延譽。這二人為六哥之師傅，雖則六哥名分早定，亦無人敢生覬覦之心，但這總也是個好處朝廷公卿自然不會惟此二人馬首是瞻，但至少總不至於因為師傅之故，而橫生枝節 清河這番話，朱妃聽得似懂非懂，向皇后卻是在心裡頻頻點頭讚許。二人與朝中新、舊、石三種勢力都頗有淵源，但若以為二人為資善堂直講，這三黨便會齊聚六哥旗下，六哥地位從此鞏固，那是自然是極天真的想法。但是，正如清河所說，至少這二人為太子師，三黨都不會覺得過於難以接受。倘使一個過於明顯偏向舊黨的人做太子師，那麼新黨對六哥繼位，自然會有點想法；反之亦然。這二人便可以避免這等壞處。 有這三條理由，在向皇后看來，其實已經足夠。 卻聽清河又說道︰而且，桑、程二人皆為布衣，以布衣一躍而為太子師，豈敢不感奮？ 這又是直指人心的話。向皇后與朱妃對視一眼，二人皆微微點頭。向皇后與朱妃在政治感情上，到底還是偏向舊黨的，這時候聽清河說二人皆為司馬光諸君子所看重，心裡更無顧慮。她們與高太后不同，她們最主要的寄託，便是在六哥趙傭身上。既然已經認可對趙傭有利，二人便下定決心，要竭力促成此事。 而便在當天晚上發生的事情，更加讓向皇后與朱妃意識到盡快給趙傭選定老師的急迫性。當晚亥初時分，皇帝突然高熱發燒不止，昏迷了長達一個時辰。而且，更糟糕的是，除了這個令太醫們束手無策的病外，醫官們更確診皇帝的胃潰瘍病，越發的嚴重了，在當天竟然出現了嘔血與黑便。 田烈武被釋放回家後，每日便安心地在家裡享受著天倫之樂，一面設法籌集三百貫緡錢給李渾當盤纏與安家。三百貫哪怕對田烈武來說，也是一個很大的數目，汴京到現在還在流傳著一則笑談現在《海事商報》報的主編唐坰，當年做御史準備彈劾王安石之前，便是先找人借了三百貫當做路費，才敢上章彈劾的。事實上當然很有區別，眾所周知，唐坰後來是籌錢創辦了《諫聞報》。但這則談資其實離真實的情況相差不遠，宋朝官員，無論文武，薪俸都還算優厚，但官員們不僅要養家餬口，還要承擔更多的交際應酬，應付許多的往來借貸，加上當時家族觀念濃厚，很多官員出身時靠著整個家族的扶持，發達之後也不免要回饋家族，比如掏出錢來在家族建立義倉，興辦學校即使是中高級官員，如果為官清廉，也會有財政狀況極不健康的情況出現。像田烈武這種，剛剛晉升為中級武官未久的，雖然較之當年已是不可同日而語，但其實也就是堪堪能在汴京換一座大點的宅院而已。行伍多年，官做得越大，開銷也是越大，既不敢剋扣軍餉，又不敢私自回易，吞沒俘獲，部屬有什麼困難，他還要自掏腰包加以周濟，雖然因此甚至得軍心，但是錢袋子卻是注定不可能太鼓的。但李渾卻比他更窮到此時，田烈武才知道李渾祖上，居然是沙陀人。李家雖歷代皆為班直，但因為他為人任俠豪爽，父兄又先後都在宋夏戰場犧牲，因此家裡除了一座四壁光光的宅院，兩個兒子三個女兒外加兩個侄子、一個侄女共八個小孩要養活外，也是窮得叮噹響。他轉任軍法官，亦是有不得已的原因家裡既然窮，升官的機會就少，而軍法官俸祿較普通軍官要優厚些，於他家的窘境，總是不無小補。這番被貶，於李渾家實是一次重大的打擊。李渾平素在京師的那般朋友，這會都躲得遠遠的，再也不肯露面。田烈武是捕頭出身，自然知道這些沒有盤纏的被貶斥的官員，在路上會是什麼樣的境況。兼之李家這種境況，他更不能放任不理，沒奈何下，亦只得東拼西湊，替李渾來籌集路費與安家費。他也不敢去找石越、唐康、秦觀這些人，好在田家在開封府的衙役中間，還是有點名望的，田烈武雖然倒了霉，在家閒置，但畢竟大大小小還是個武官，那些衙役捕快也還不至於像李渾的朋友那麼勢利，一人幾百文幾貫的湊，竟硬生生是湊齊了這筆錢。 送走李渾之後，田烈武更加無所事事，每天除了去侍衛步軍司點卯外，便是天天在汴京城裡閒逛，每日裡在茶館喝茶聽報。直到有一天，他在城西金梁橋街附近，發現一座規模宏大的劉樓藏書閣。 在此之前，田烈武並不知道，劉樓藏書閣早在熙寧十五年的時候，便已經超過白水潭圖書館，成為汴京乃至整個大宋最大的公共圖書館。 其時在桑充國的一力鼓吹之下，即使在戰爭不斷的情況下，宋朝朝廷在公共教育上的開支，也是逐年上升的雖然比起龐大的軍費開支，那是根本不足一提；但畢竟也是在進步。早在熙寧十三年，英年早逝的歐陽發便率先提出識字率的概念，倡導官府應當要全力提高識字人口的比率。在歐陽發去世之後，桑充國與程頤便接過了這個火矩，桑充國在《天命有司》中，更將之視為政++_府當然之責任與義務，不容推卸。程頤則將這些概念，納入他哲學體系中道的範疇，加以鼓吹。這些鼓吹，其實暗合了熙寧十五年後，宋廷中那股反對繼續戰爭，主張休養生息的政治勢力，亦迎合了平定西夏之後，民間普遍的厭戰情緒。在種種壓力之下，政事堂第一次下令調查全國範圍內（不含剛收復的靈夏地區與海外領土）的識字率與男童就學率。 調查的結果顯然不可能樂觀。要知道，在另一個時空中，十九世紀中期，勉強可以識字的倫敦庶民階層的小孩，不到百分之十，會寫字的更低；而法國於一八八一年實施義務教育法後，實際就學率竟只有可憐的百分之一點四！ 託儒家一千多年來實際是以教育為立足之本的福，大宋的情況倒還不至於這麼慘淡，但也夠糟糕的。 識字率方面，汴京是最高的，卻也僅僅剛過三成，其實是杭州、揚州與成都。在某些地區，更是只有可憐的百分之一。全國平均識字率約百分之二十。 至於男童就學率，自《興學校詔》頒佈以後，倒是大有好轉。在汴京，有桑充國持續的努力，兼之又是天子腳下，就學率竟高達六成五。但讓人吃驚的是，男童就學率最高的城市卻是杭州除了商業的發達，江南的學風濃郁外，也因為有種種技術學校、以及伏波學堂的存在，使得其就學率竟然達到驚人的七成。不過這只是極少數的繁華的特例，在全國範圍內，平均就學率亦不足四成。 如果只是想比爛，這樣的數據自然堪為驕傲。但是掩藏在那個讓人難堪的平均數字後面的，是更為難堪的地區差異與身分差異。比如除了汴京以外，無論是識字率還是就學率，南方都遠遠高於北方。而武人更成了識字率最低的一個階層，武官的識字率都只有可憐的一成，低於全國平均水準一半！這還是託了神衛營與衛尉寺的福，才有這樣體面的數據。 在這樣的情況下，兩府不得不要採取一些措施，來應對清議