The northern border is in an emergency, and all the ministers in the political hall, except for Li Zhongyi, are all busy, and Fan Xianggong and Empress Dowager Fu are even more at a loss.

Hebei is not comparable to the northwest of the mountains and obstacles, from Bazhou to the south to the north of Kaifeng, it can be described as a flat river. Except for the Yellow River, there is no favorable terrain that can stop the Khitans.

After Yelu Hugo took Bazhou, the richest hinterland of the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, Hebei and Henan, was completely exposed to the iron hooves of the Khitans.

The important ministers of the imperial court knew very well in their hearts that although Fu Yanqing, who was in the Daimyo's mansion, had more than 40,000 feudal soldiers, he would never dare to go out of the city and confront the Khitans on the plain.

Fan Zhen knew very well in his heart that among the generals of the Manchu Dynasty, Li Zhongyi was the only one who had defeated the Khitans.

However, Fan Zhen understands better that Empress Dowager Fu has an inexplicable but deep-rooted prejudice against Li Zhongyi.

Although, Empress Dowager Fu's prejudice has always been a wonderful thing that Fan Zhen likes to see and can make a big fuss. However, this kind of prejudice, put in the current situation, is a headache for Fan Qian.

Soldiers, the major affairs of the country, once the wrong general is assigned, let the Khitan iron cavalry commanded by Yelu Xiuge step on the city of Kaifeng. Fan Qian, who has always been in charge, is afraid that he will be drowned in the political hall by the saliva of the Shilin officials and gentry.

Zhao Kuangyin suffered a defeat on the front line, and Han Tong had already gone to Jingzhao Mansion, leaving Li Zhongyi aside, although there were still two generals Shi Shouxin and Murong Yanzhao in the capital, Fan Zhen was highly suspicious of whether the two of them could resist the Khitans.

Li Zhongyi has just asked for leave. The court approved it the next day, obviously with the intention of slapping the face. Deliberately made it for the Manchu Dynasty to show the civil and military.

Originally, Fan Zhen and Empress Dowager Fu calculated very well. First toss Li Zhongyi to death until he is obedient, and then consider letting him lead his troops south to attack the Southern Tang Dynasty.

Who knows, the plan has not changed quickly, Yelu Huge, the first Khitan general, moved too fast, and actually laid a dark line in Bazhou City early. In one fell swoop, he seized the first gateway of the northern land of the Great Zhou.

The situation has changed over time, and Li Zhongyi, who was originally snubbed by Empress Dowager Fu, has now become a famous handsome man who is unwilling to use it, and is afraid of misleading the country, which is really unpredictable!

The prime minister was on leave, and there was a complete set of procedures, and it was not something that the imperial court wanted to use Li Zhongyi, and it could be done with an edict.

On the surface, Fan is not worried. It's just a few pushes and concessions, just a cut-scene that makes Li Zhongyi have face.

What's worse is that the Khitan army has been overwhelmed, but Empress Dowager Fu still has a deep grudge against Li Zhongyi. refuses to worship him as handsome.

Thinking about it, Fan Zhen couldn't help but deeply resent Zhao Kuangyin, if Zhao Kuangyin defeated Yelu Xianzhen in the northwest. Even if Bazhou was taken by Yelu Huge, forgive him for not daring to go too far into the border of the Great Zhou.

Right now. It's too late to say anything, and Fan Zhen can't help but turn his back to the sky. With a long sigh, he couldn't figure it out, why did Empress Dowager Fu not like Li Zhongyi so much?

As a political animal, Fan Zhen knows how to weigh the pros and cons very well, now is the time to use Li Zhongyi, as for how to clean up Li Zhongyi in the future, that's another matter!

Fan Zhen pondered for a whole day, but still didn't find a good way to persuade the Empress Dowager Fu, Yang Jiong noticed the abnormality of the master, so he took the opportunity of serving tea and water, and asked Fan Zhen tentatively: "Xianggong, are you considering the handsome ministers going north?" ”

"Huh? What do you think? Fan Zhen took the teacup handed over by Yang Jiong, and subconsciously asked rhetorically.

Yang Jiong saw that he had guessed Fan Zhen's mind correctly, so he suppressed the joy in his heart and whispered: "Fang Cai, when I went out to inspect the rooms, I happened to hear people talk about the war in the north, and some people said that the person who can resist the Khitan barbarians is none other than Li Wujiao. ”

Fan Zhi glanced at Yang Jiong quietly, alas, this henchman of his, everything is good, but his mind is quite heavy, and his heart is too narrow.

Previously, when Li Zhongyi was working in political affairs, he secretly rectified Yang Jiong several times, forcing Yang Jiong to restrain the arrogance of many prime ministers.

Fan Zhen's ears and eyes are abnormally well-informed, he knew the truth of the matter early, but he just pretended not to know.

One of the keys to self-cultivation in Confucianism is the golden mean, seeking its own government in its position, not keeping its mouth shut in its position, and only then is the right way to live in the world.

As far as Fan Zhen's heart is concerned, Li Zhongyi let the vigorous Yang Jiong suffer a little, which is actually not a bad thing, jade can't be made if it is not made!

Fan Zhen deliberately skipped Yang Jiong's deliberate provocation, sighed and said, "It's a pity that it's difficult for the Queen Mother to make sense!" ”

Yang Jiong was very familiar with Fan's style, and knew that the lord was displeased, so he immediately put away his private thoughts, and said seriously: "After Brother Yelu Xiu broke Bazhou, Bing Feng must be directed at the Daimyo's Mansion, you know, the Daimyo's Fu family is the Empress Dowager's mother's mother's family." ”

Fan Zhen shook his head slightly, and said, "Others can use the Fu family to say that things are difficult, but the old man absolutely can't." ”

Yang Jiong's eyes rolled slightly, and he immediately understood the hidden meaning in Fan Qian's words. Fan Zhen can sit firmly in the position of prime minister, in addition to the fact that he is deeply favored by the first emperor and has always held the power of the political hall, and now he also needs the full support of the Empress Dowager Fu.

If it is difficult for Fan Zhen to use the Fu family, Li Zhongyi must be used as a reason, and the Empress Dowager Fu will most likely compromise. However, one day the Empress Dowager Fu woke up and became suspicious of Fan Qian, and that trouble would be big!

The little emperor is only seven years old this year, and by the time he is fifteen years old, he will be married to the government for eight years. This means that at least in these eight years, Fan Zhen must gain the absolute trust and support of Empress Dowager Fu.

The temptation of power can definitely make people addicted!

I have tasted the taste of the prime minister for many years, and I never want to lose the supreme glory of being under one person and above tens of thousands of people!

Yang Jiong hesitated for a while, and cautiously suggested: "Xianggong, it's better to let Shi Shouxin lead the troops north, this person is quite knowledgeable." ”

"If someone Shi loses, when the time comes, don't say that the Daimyo Mansion and Kaifeng Mansion will definitely be in danger, how can Li Gu and Wang Pu sit back and watch such a good opportunity? The old man may not be able to settle for the position of the first ruler. Fan Zhen's trust in Yang Jiong even exceeded that of several sons in the family, and many of his inner words were directly spoken.

Yang Jiong's heart was fierce, before Li Zhongyi defeated the Shan army, the Chinese people had always regarded the Khitan people as a beast of flood, and they were very afraid of the unstoppable soldiers of the Khitan barbarians.

Shi Shouxin is also a famous general, but although this person participated in the Battle of Gaoping, he only followed the first emperor and charged into battle, and did not have any outstanding military exploits worthy of a book.

Arranging such a person to command the last remaining elite forbidden army in the imperial court to go north to defend against the enemy, the huge risk is unknown.

After the whole problem went around in a big circle, I returned to the original point again, how could I convince the Empress Dowager Fu to soften her figure a little?

This is indeed a very fatal problem in front of Fan Qian! (To be continued.) )