As the sun sets, a group of people in the suburbs of Jinan slowly walked along the Xiaoqing River toward the city, and the boats on the river are gradually becoming fewer, but even so, all this is still quite relieved to see Ye Qing today.

Transporting and storing grain is a big deal for the Northland, and water routes obviously save a lot of manpower and material resources for the Northland than land. Therefore, with the Xiaoqing River that leads directly into the sea, even the Grand Canal opened in the Sui Dynasty became less important in the eyes of the Northland at this time.

Although the Grand Canal is also extremely important to the North, it is relatively still an inland river. When coming from the south, it naturally faces a series of checkpoints. For the North, if you want to transport and store grain on a large scale, it will alarm the court.

When you walk near the sea water road, you can naturally bypass many barriers, and you can go directly south to Guangnan East Road and Guangnan West Road. Therefore, for the north, Xiaoqing River naturally becomes the best channel for storing and transporting various materials in a short period of time.

In the dusk, Jinan Prefecture lacked the noisy and bustle that should be during Lin'an during this period, and there was a hint of fatigue and loneliness after working for a day. After visiting Jinan Prefecture for only half a day, Zhong Qing once again piled up the carriage with various items, including shoes, hats, jade, longevity locks, etc., to items such as boxes, etc., and she bought half a car.

These items will be sent back to Yangzhou in the past few days to express Zhong Qing’s great maternal love for Zhong Ye and others.

They returned to the mansion separately with Xin Qiji. Mo Xiaobao greeted him at the door and instructed others to start moving the goods from the carriage back to the mansion. He walked to Ye Qing and handed a letter to Ye Qing.

"The Mongolians sent envoy Mu Huali and Borshu to come to Jinan to discuss some things with you. This is the letter I just received today. According to the news from the umbrella, they have arrived in Chang'an and will come to Jinan Prefecture soon. Also, Dong Chao also wrote a letter, and King Wei Shao Wanyan Yongji also planned to come to Jinan Prefecture in the near future." Mo Xiaobao followed Ye Qing to the mansion while reporting.

"It seems that the Mongolians initially thought I would go to Chang'an, but now they know that I have arrived in Jinan Prefecture, so they simply plan to come to Jinan to find me." Ye Qing was basically clear about the purpose of the Mongolian envoy.

It was nothing more than either wanting to join forces with him to fight against Jin, or they wanted to stabilize themselves through this mission, so that they could continue to fight against Khwarezm without any worries.

"So I finally thought that King Wei Shao of the Jin Kingdom chose to come to Jinan Prefecture to visit you at this time. It seems that it was because of the Mongolian envoy." Mo Xiaobao became more and more handsome and would consider it from a global perspective.

"Yes, since Zamuhe's head can be sent over, it means that Wanyan Jing is determined to join forces with us. Now it seems that they also learned that the Mongolian envoy is coming, so they will send King Wei Shao to Jinan." Ye Qing began to initially plan various plans for the next North in his mind.

Chang'an is an important gateway for the northwest to guard the northwest. Although there are still the Anxi Protectorate guarded by Liu Keshi and Li Heng to the west of Chang'an, the depth strategy of the north is obviously not that strong. Chang'an is actually their top priority and the place where they must guard the most.

Of course, this is just a strategic level. Now with the demise of Xia Kingdom, the Anxi Protectorate is naturally equally important. However, because of the strength of the Mongols, Ye Qing had to entrust more important tasks to Chang'an in tactical terms, treating this as the first line of defense to compete with the Mongols in the north, and also as the second line of defense behind the Anxi Protectorate.

If Chang'an is an important gateway to the northwest, then Jinan Prefecture is now an important gateway to the northeast. When Ye Qing stayed in Chang'an, the importance of Chang'an became an existence like the "capital city" in the north.

Now that Ye Qing is stationed in Jinan Prefecture, the status of Jinan Prefecture has gradually become more and more important. With the arrival of the Mongols and Jin envoys again, Jinan Prefecture will become an important city in the north like Chang'an.

Chang'an is the gateway to the northwest, and Jinan is an important gateway to the northeast. Only Kaifeng and Luoyang, between the two, are still declining in their current status.

Kaifeng and Luoyang are like a hot potato in the north, and more like a time bomb. Ye Qing dared not get too close, but could not give in and sent heavy troops to guard him. He was afraid that this would cause the Lin'an court to be furious, but he had to station troops around to guard against the reserves.

Kaifeng Prefecture has extraordinary significance to the court after all, but if you want the court to move the capital from Lin'an back to Kaifeng, not to mention whether the royal family is willing or not, I am afraid that even the ministers of the court who have long been used to the prosperity and wealth of Lin'an will not be willing to leave Lin'an and return to Kaifeng.

There is paradise above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. This sentence is obviously not just a casual statement. For the court who is used to comfort, it is difficult for them to leave Lin'an, a gentle hometown and go to the rough and heroic place in the north, even if they just think about it, they find it difficult to accept it.

Lin'an, which is as colorful as an arrow, is far more attractive than Kaifeng, not to mention that Kaifeng is now just a river separated from the Jin people. If the capital was moved at this time, no one would want to live a life of fear. Even if Ye Qing's iron army guarded him around Kaifeng, it is obvious that no one would want to mention the matter of restoration at this time.

But if Kaifeng Prefecture had been left so empty, the court had to worry about whether Ye Qing would one day run to Kaifeng after he had been more stable in the north. After all, Chang'an, Jinan, Shi Miyuan and others had been there in person. Although they were not as rich as Lin'an, they were now also an important city full of vitality.

If Ye Qing puts his focus on Kaifeng and Ye Qing's power is getting stronger and stronger in the north, will the Lin'an court and Kaifeng in the north be allowed to regard Kaifeng as the Song Dynasty as time goes by?

Where is the orthodox dynasty?

It is impossible to let the court stay in the capital, but one day Ye Qing will be as entrenched as he is in Chang'an and Jinan, and the court will not ignore it. After all, it is the capital of the Song Dynasty. How could a minister be occupied by a real court and let the real court be content with Jiangnan?

"So what Lord Shi means right?" Zhao Kuo frowned slightly, and asked at Shi Miyuan, Liu Zheng, King Qing and Duke Chong in Qinzheng Hall.

At this time, Zhao Kuo's mind unconsciously appeared in his mind that even though he had an easy-going smile, he had a heroic image as if he was guiding the country in every move.

"I think the general situation in the north is not yet determined, so it is too early to rashly discuss the issue of resuming the capital. But now that the north is relatively stable, I think it is better to build the Tokyo Palace City first. In this way, the people in the north can not only know the ambition of the imperial court to recover the Central Plains, but also make all the appropriate preparations for the future." Shi Miyuan began to say with the idea of ​​Kaifeng Prefecture in the north.

"It is natural to build a palace city first, but..." Liu Zheng looked at Zhao Kuo, then glanced at Shi Miyuan again, pondered for a while and said worriedly: "But who will pay this money? Ye Jiedushi Ye may not pay this money, right?"

After saying that, Liu Zheng unconsciously looked at King Qing and Duke Chong. Just now, they praised the current construction of Chang'an City and the expansion of Jinan Prefecture. There was no shortage of the words of seeking credit for Ye Qing.

So at this time, Liu Zheng had to speak out to remind the emperor Zhao Kuo that if the imperial court wanted to repair the imperial city of Kaifeng Prefecture, would Ye Qing be willing?

"What do Lord Shi think?" Zhao Kuo asked Shi Miyuan again.

"I thought it would be enough to impose taxes on the Northern Land. Now the Northern Land is not as affected by disasters as in the past two years. Now the people are well fed and well, and every family has surplus food, which is enough to bear the cost of repairing the palace. If the emperor gives kindness, I think the Ministry of Revenue can naturally fund a fee. I believe that Lord Ye will naturally not have any complaints. Moreover, this is also the emperor who gives him Ye Qing a chance to be loyal to the court. Lord Ye will definitely not refuse, and will even be grateful to the emperor." Shi Miyuan began to dig a tunnel for Ye Qing.

"The northern region has been affected by disasters for many years. Now the northern region produces its own food just enough to fill the people's stomach. If taxes are added to repair the palace, it may cause dissatisfaction among the people, and even make the people who have become bandits but have just gone down the mountain fall into the mountains and then fall into the mountains again. This is not a good idea to be stable in the northern region." King Qing began to frown, and the appearance of Jinan was completely different from the praise of Chang'an and Jinan.

Duke Chongguo Zhao Shichun couldn't help but sigh slightly. His and King Qing's original intention today was to let the emperor know Ye Qing's achievements in Anmin's construction in the northern part of the city. Who would have thought that Shi Miyuan would sinisterly make a big fuss about this matter. For a moment, it made them feel like they were kind-hearted to do something wrong.

Not only did he not help Ye Qing in front of the saint, but he instead asked Shi Miyuan to rebel against the army, infinitely amplifying and aggravating the dilemma of the North again.

"But I just heard King Qing say that under Ye Qing's administration, the northern land is already a good situation of peace and prosperity. It is difficult for the two prefectures of Chang'an and Jinan to repair Chang'an and Jinan have changed their words when they arrive at Kaifeng Prefecture? Could it be that the governor Ye doesn't want the emperor to stay in Tokyo?" Shi Miyuan turned his fat belly and asked the frowning King Qing.

Shi Miyuan naturally would never let go of this rare opportunity to suppress Ye Qing. Even when asking, he deliberately changed the situation in the north to the four words of national prosperity and peace, and thus secretly reminded Zhao Kuo that Ye Qing would not be restrained in the north, but he would become the king.

"The construction of cities between Chang'an and Jinan prefectures is a matter of necessity in the north. After all, whether it is Chang'an or Jinan prefecture, it is an important gateway in the northwest and southeast of the north. The solidity of the city wall determines whether the north can resist the counterattack of the Jin people for a long time, so it is naturally necessary to build it." Duke Chong also frowned and replied.

But at this moment, he still felt a deep sense of helplessness in his heart that he was not capable of being able to do so. He even regretted that he had just said something praising Beidi a little, but now he immediately reaped the consequences.

Sure enough, after Duke Chong finished speaking, Shi Miyuan immediately followed and asked reluctantly: "When the construction of Chang'an and the cities of the two prefectures of Jinan, Ye Jiedushi was rich and powerful, and when he was the emperor and even built the palace, Ye Jiedushi became short of money? Could it be that the renovation of the two prefectures of Chang'an and Jinan were more important than that of the lords and the court? Or... Shi still had a doubt in his heart. Since King Qing and Duke Chong were talking about the difficulties in the north, Shi still wanted to ask King Qing and Duke Chong and Duke Chong and Duke Ye Jiedushi to build Chang'an, where did the money from the two prefectures of Jinan come from?"

"This..." King Qing and Duke Chong looked at each other, not knowing how to answer Shi Miyuan's question for a moment.

Although Shi Miyuan's question was not tricky, he asked the weaknesses that the two of them could not answer. After all, even they didn't know where the money from the construction of Chang'an, Jinan, and the establishment of the three major prophets came from over the years.

There are naturally all kinds of unknown tricks in this, just as everyone knows that the current left prime minister Shi Miyuan is rich, but it may not be clear how the money from the Shi Mansion came from.

"This question... I'm afraid it's necessary for Lord Ye to answer Lord Shi's doubts." Duke Chong had to bite the bullet and said.

Then he couldn't help but think of the industries he had in the North over the years. With the expansion of these industries, almost a large part of Zhao Shichun's profit was used in the construction of Chang'an, but naturally, there was no way to get this kind of thing to the emperor to tell him.

Furthermore, in fact, everyone knows that the reason why Northland has always been able to breathe financially is that it is always financially able to do all kinds of things while it is difficult to do, actually has a great relationship with Huainan Road.

But these are not the levels that King Qing and Duke Chong could reach. They were completely determined by Ye Qing alone in this matter.

Pay the court.

Shi Miyuan looked at the embarrassing King Qing and Duke Chong, and sneered in his heart, and then said to Zhao Kuo: "Sir, I think that since there are difficulties in the northern part of the land, the emperor or the court may be able to understand it. However, although it is too early to return to the capital, the matter of repairing the palace cannot be delayed. The northern part of the land cannot invest in the capital and repairing the palace. So I think it is better to hand it over to the Ministry of Works and Generals to do this. However, in this way, the Ministry of Works will be in Lin'an, a thousand miles away from the capital, and obviously cannot supervise in Lin'an, repairing the imperial city and even the entire capital. Therefore, I would like to invite the emperor to join the emperor, and send the Ministry of Works and other relevant government agencies to Kaifeng Prefecture to start preparing for the renovation of the palace. Similarly, the Emperor will make some plans in the future."

Zhao Kuo looked at Shi Miyuan with a clear look calmly, and he was a little moved by Shi Miyuan's words.

Over the years, the court has been unable to interfere in all kinds of things in the north, and it is decided by Ye Qing alone. Just as King Qing and Duke Chongguo just said, now, any officials in the prefectures in the north, who have ranks of transfers in the north will be separately drafted for Ye Qing to review.

Although Ye Qing generally does not look at the appointment and removal of officials of low rank, such a tradition has been formed since the Northern Expedition, which has also made the dispatch of officials in the entire northern region firmly in Ye Qing's hands.

Whether it was Shi Miyuan or Han Tuozhou, even when Wang Huai and Zhao Ruyu were appointed as prime minister, they had tried to cross Ye Qing and appointed and dismissed officials in the north in the name of the court. But in the end, these officials either died of illness in the north due to illness, or as soon as they arrived in the north, they immediately cried and shouted to go back to the south.

In short, there are not a single official who went to the north after Ye Qing's review.

Liu Zheng had never spoken. Looking at Shi Miyuan's increasingly smug smile on his face, then looked at King Qing and Duke Chong's depressed look, and sighed helplessly. He understood why Ye Qing was willing to leave King Qing and Duke Chong in Lin'an when he left Lin'an.

Obviously, Ye Qing didn't look down on the abilities of these two people at all, so he kept them in Lin'an and in the court with such confidence. As for whether he would return to the north in the future, I'm afraid Ye Qing didn't care at all.

"Although the strategy said by Master Shi is feasible, the officials thought that even if Master Shi wanted to set up officials in Kaifeng Prefecture before the Emperor still had Kaifeng Prefecture, they would have to be controlled by someone after all. If no one was restrained, wouldn't it be like a piece of loose sand? How could it be repaired in the palace city or even the entire capital? The court is thousands of miles away, obviously unable to effectively control it." Liu Zheng looked at Zhao Kuo and then continued, "Master, I think I need to ask about the governor Ye for this matter. After all, the governor Ye is more familiar with the situation in the north."

Shi Miyuan looked at Liu Zheng with some surprise. He obviously did not expect that Liu Zheng could see through the plan at first glance.

Yes, Shi Miyuan really planned to use the incident of restoring the capital to open a gap in the officialdom of the North, so that the Six Ministry and other government agencies could enter the North with justification in the name of repairing the palace city.

In this way, he believed that Ye Qing would never dare to depose one of the officials sent by the court as he did before. After all, if he did this, it would be equivalent to treason.

So for Shi Miyuan, with the issue of returning home, as long as the six ministries and other government agencies are reduced into six ministries and small government agencies in Kaifeng Prefecture, and then a small court affiliated with the Lin'an court can be basically broken Ye Qing's arbitrary decision in the north.

In this way, no matter whether Ye Qing in the north can go further during the Northern Expedition, as long as Kaifeng Prefecture forms a substantial imperial city, although there is no royal family here, at least with such an empty imperial city, Ye Qing's influence and prestige in the north will inevitably seize a large part of Kaifeng Prefecture, and he will never continue to win the Northern Expedition, allowing Ye Qing to continue to expand his influence and all forces in the north.

Faced with the question of Liu Zheng, Shi Miyuan did not wait for Zhao Kuo to ask him what Master Shi thought, and then said slowly: "If I remember correctly, the emperor now has the mission of the three major protectors in the north. In the past dynasties, there is no such thing as a ruler of a country who has to be a major protector of the Protectorate. If this is spread, wouldn't it be a joke?"

"What do you think Master Shi?" Zhao Kuo frowned slightly. After he was in the position of emperor, his mother, Li Fengniang, who happily told him about the three great gurus of the remote commanders, became boring.

But because Li Fengniang had never mentioned the solution to this matter, Zhao Kuo has always followed Li Fengniang's intentions and has always been in charge of the mission of the three major protectors in the north.

"Report to the Lord, I think the Lord can grant the Lord trusted ministers, and he can just serve the Lord as a delegate to the Lord." Shi Miyuan's eyes flashed with a bright light of ambition. Speaking like this is not much different from self-recommendation.

King Qing and Duke Chong were stunned in an instant, while Liu Zheng looked at Shi Miyuan in surprise, and his heart was also shocked. It was originally just a topic about returning the capital, but after Shi Miyuan's advice, he unknowingly transferred the topic of returning the capital to the task of sending the three major archers in the north.

Shi Miyuan's real purpose was only truly revealed at this moment. The Left Prime Minister's mission could no longer satisfy his ambitions, and extending his hand further to the north was his real motivation.
Chapter completed!