Chapter 241 A show of force! (Here we come!)

Zhang Heng sorted out the various affairs of the Third Division and made a handover with Tian Kuang, the newly appointed envoy of the Third Division.

Tian Kuang saw all kinds of affairs very clearly and couldn't help but sigh: "No wonder you are always able to handle all kinds of things properly. It can be seen from the business book you handed over that you are really good at what you do."

It’s so meticulous, it’s really admirable!”

Zhang Heng has no pride in this. To him, this is just a routine work method.

In my previous life, I reported every week, every month, every year, and had a work plan at the beginning of the year. These were all routine operations.

But even these routine things are already extremely diligent for officials of this era.

Zhang Heng smiled and said: "I was afraid that you would not understand the situation when I first came up, so I sorted out the work at hand so that you can take charge of the work next and avoid something going wrong.

This is just a day's work for me, but if you were to explore it yourself, you wouldn't be able to complete it in less than ten days and a half."

Tian Kuang thanked him profusely.

Zhang Heng waved his sleeves and left gracefully.

"Bachelor Zhang, please wait a moment."

Ding Shougong's face turned bitter when he heard this: "Hey, don't be too overwhelming, otherwise it will be difficult for me to do things here."

He sat on the chair, leaned on the back of the chair, closed his eyes, and felt the feedback the chair gave him. After a while, Zhang Heng opened his eyes and smiled and whispered: "This chair of the Prime Minister does not have much

It's soft, and after sitting on it, there's no special feeling."

Zhang Heng said: "Let's go."

Zhang Heng clearly informed Wang Yiqing, but Wang Yiqing went out on some official business at this time. This was clearly a sign of power for himself.

If we try to solve it later, it will be too late. I ask Your Majesty to make a decision quickly. When the time comes when we really cannot afford the military expenses, it will be too late!"

Zhang Heng nodded. Of course he knew that the Western Army owed such a big salary, but this matter had nothing to do with the Third Division. The Western Army's salary was the most important item of the Third Division's expenses. It had rarely been in arrears. After all,

The salary of civil servants is not important, but the salary of these soldiers is not paid, which will cost lives. Zhang Heng has made arrangements for it long ago.

However, although this money was sent to the Western Army, unexpectedly, a war suddenly broke out between the Liao Kingdom and Xixia. The Western Army was afraid of being affected and rushed to repair the fortifications. However, there was no such budget for a while, so they misappropriated the soldiers' salaries. In this way,

Something big happened.

The so-called general affairs officer refers to many miscellaneous affairs of the Privy Council, which are all arranged by the deputy director. This position is very important and has great real power, but it is also a person who serves the three privy chiefs.

Therefore, I sent a letter to His Majesty recommending disarmament, which is why this imperial meeting was held."

Wang Gongchen frowned, and Ming Hao was a little surprised.

Chief Chen secretly observed the change in Zhang Heng's face and knew that this man was not very happy. He also secretly scolded Wang Yiqing for being unkind. If you want to intimidate others, just go on your own. Why do you want me to cause this trouble?

Zhang Heng said: "When I was appointed as the third minister, my salary was already allocated in full."

Zhang Heng pursed his lips and smiled: "Just tell Old Wei and Old Sang, and the banquet will be waived. Remember the friendship. If you have any difficult things, you can still come to me."

Zhang Heng left the Third Division and turned around to go to the Privy Council.

Zhang Heng smiled when he heard this: "We are all in the capital to say goodbye. I will go to the Privy Council. I will have to deal with the Third Division a lot in the future. I will ask you to be merciful then."

Zhang Heng laughed loudly, then patted Ding Shougong on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, I am the kind of person who is jealous of his nose and his face. There is no way that I will let out of the Privy Council a non-compliant and unreasonable list.

"

It needs to be explained here that the Privy Council is one of the so-called second government and three departments, and the head of the Privy Council is the Privy Envoy, assisted by two deputy privy envoys, and then there is also a deputy chief minister, who is the General Councilor.

A person who works is similar to a front-officer in Zhongshu Province.

Liang Shi lowered his head, not knowing what he was thinking.

That's fine in normal years, but in disaster years, once taxes drop, it will be just like this year, and everything will be stretched. There will be complaints everywhere from the Cao Department and the military.

Zhang Heng smiled.

However, there is a big problem. In recent years, military expenditures have become larger and larger. Even though taxes have been increasing over the years, military expenditures have grown faster.

Zhang Heng looked at the couple, nodded and said, "It's good. There's nothing missing. Oh, that's right. If there's anything that needs to be dealt with, please bring it to me."

Pang Ji nodded and stood up and said: "The Western Army has written a letter saying that the soldiers are dissatisfied with the lack of salary and there are signs of instability in the army. Your Majesty has summoned everyone here today to discuss how to resolve this matter."

Chief Chen lowered his head and said: "Most of the matters in the Privy Council are urgent. Previously, Privy Councilor Han had taken over the matter regarding Bachelor Wu, but now there is nothing happening here. Why don't you ask Privy Councilor Han?"

Zhang Heng came to the Privy Council and was greeted by a chief minister named Chen Changpu. Zhang Heng asked, "Where is Wang Ducheng?"

Han Qi waved his hand and let the principal go, then thought for a while and said to himself: "I just want to see how long you can endure it, huh."

Prime Minister Chen Zhizhong of Zhengshitang, Counselor of Political Affairs Pang Ji, Wang Gongchen and Ming Hao attended the imperial meeting.

Therefore, I believe that this matter is absolutely impossible!”

Just when Zhang Heng was about to leave the Third Division, Ding Shougong suddenly chased him out.

Zhang Heng was very happy and said: "That's great, then I will deliver all the orders from the Privy Council."

Chief Chen quickly followed Zhang Heng to the public house, which was fully equipped with all kinds of office supplies. Of course, there was no special decoration, but as the core authority of the Song Dynasty, power could be smelled in the simplicity.

taste.

After handling government affairs for a day, Han Qi seemed to have remembered something and called a supervisor over and asked, "Is Zhang Heng here today?"

Zhang Heng took a deep look at Director Chen. Director Chen suddenly looked bitter and did not dare to speak.

Therefore, I do not think that now is a good time to disarmament."

Zhang Heng glanced around and saw that Chen Zhizhong's expression did not change, probably because the matter had nothing to do with him.

Zhao Zhen came later, greeted everyone, and then said with a smile: "It's very impressive today in front of the emperor. It turns out that there is a new face, Ju Zheng, who is participating in such a high-level meeting for the first time.

Are you excited?"

Zhang Heng found a tea set and brewed tea leisurely. However, after tasting the tea, he couldn't help but frowned: "This tea is not good. It is much worse than Qingxi tea. I will have to bring it myself another day."

Just click here."

Zhao Zhen looked at Han Qi. This matter related to the army. Han Qi was the privy envoy, so he naturally had the right to speak on it.

Han Qi saw this and said, "I think it's inappropriate."

Han Qi turned a blind eye and said: "Liao and Xia attacked each other. The Liao army divided into three groups to attack Xixia. The army launched an attack from the area south of the Yellow River. The Liao army's warships and grain ships stretched for hundreds of miles. The battle was very tense.

Zhang Heng suddenly frowned. He came to take office today and had already greeted the Privy Council. Logically speaking, it was Wang Yiqing, the deputy capital of the Privy Council, who came to greet him. Not only because of this

The purpose is to direct various affairs of the Privy Council, and it also expresses respect for Zhang Heng.

As soon as Pang Ji said this, everyone had different expressions.

Chen Zhizhong looked at Zhang Heng and said, "Xueshi Zhang has just resigned from the post of Third Secretary-General, so he should be relatively clear about this matter, right?"

Zhang Heng, however, took his time and waited until get off work, then walked out leisurely.

Especially in the military, if the salary is not paid in time, there may be changes. As soon as the Qingli New Year comes, there have been five or six military mutinies.

Otherwise, if one of the Liao and Xia countries suddenly attacks the Song Dynasty, who should we ask to resist it?

At this time, it is time to stabilize the morale of the army and set up a strong camp to cope with sudden changes!

Pang Ji nodded and said: "Yes, before today, the Third Division allocated another sum of money to pay the soldiers' salaries, so this matter is settled.

The principal shook his head and said, "But I don't know. After Principal Chen took him into the mansion, Principal Chen came out, but Bachelor Zhang didn't leave until after get off work. I don't know what he did."

Zhang Heng waved his hands and said: "Go."

Pang Ji looked at Han Qi.

On the Privy Council side, the Privy Councilor Han Qi and the two Deputy Privy Councilors Liang Shi and Zhang Heng were all present at the meeting.

Pang Ji frowned when he heard Wang Gongchen's words, and then immediately said: "This is not because of the reduction in taxes last year, but because more and more troops have put a huge burden on the finances.

Although the Song Dynasty did not participate in it, it must be guarded against. This was the time to stabilize the morale of the army in order to cope with the attacks of the Liao and Xia countries.

I believe that the army cannot continue to grow in such a disorderly manner. If it continues to grow like this, no matter how much taxes the court increases, it will not be enough to fill this hole.

If you say this is not deliberately false, Zhang Heng will definitely not believe it.

Chief Chen ran away as if he was receiving an amnesty.

Wang Yiqing, the vice-capital, avoided seeing him, and Han Qi took over all the matters left by Wu Yu. Now he, the dignified deputy envoy to the privy council, was free.

Zhao Zhen also laughed, pointed at Zhang Heng and said: "Slippery."

Zhang Heng was a little surprised and said: "Old Ding, what's the matter?"

Han Qi frowned and asked, "What did he do today?"

Only then did Han Qi glance at Pang Ji, shook his head and said, "I don't agree. I don't think there should be disarmament."

Zhang Heng chuckled.

Zhang Heng cupped his hands and said with a smile: "I was so nervous that I almost sweated."

"but……"

Ding Shougong was a little out of breath and said: "Sister Zhang, Lao Wei and Lao Sang want to say goodbye to you in person. They want to treat you to a meal and congratulate you on your promotion."

Pang Ji sneered: "As for the increasingly difficult financial situation, I wonder what Privy Han can do to solve it?"
To be continued...