Going out to conquer Western Xia is such a big thing, and it is also related to the survival of hundreds of thousands of troops and millions of people in Liao and Western Xia, but let a descendant who has not led the battle to lead the troops, Yelu Hongji naturally can't do such a stupid thing!

So Yelu Hongji shook his head, and then said to Zhang Xiaojie: "I'm afraid that Han Shu has not been in the war, and it will ruin my big thing!" Is there still a candidate for Zhang Lao Aiqing? ”

Zhang Xiaojie knew that in Yelu Hongji's heart, Zhang Yuanzhi was the most suitable candidate for the commander, but how could Zhang Xiaojie recommend Zhang Yuanzhi?

So Zhang Xiaojie replied to Yelu Hongji: "Back to the emperor, if it is not possible for Han Shu, the Duke of Lu, there will be no candidate in the hearts of the ministers!" ”

Hearing Zhang Xiaojie's words, Yelu Hongji was a little unhappy, but he still looked at Ma Zhi with a normal face. ｛｝

Ma Zhi also shook his head, how dare he venture into this troubled water now? This old man is still thinking about the increase in taxes.

Then Yelu Hongji had no choice but to look at Yelu Aruhan and asked him: "Uncle Huang, is there really no one else except Uncle Huang?" ”

Yelu Aluhan laughed and said, "Your Majesty, how can I have no one in Da Liao?" Speaking of the person in charge, isn't there one here? ”

Yelu Hongji waited for Yelu Aluhan's words, he looked happy, and then looked at Zhang Yuanzhi and said: "I almost forgot, Zhang Aiqing, this time I went to Xixia, I plan to let Zhang Aiqing take command, I don't know if Zhang Aiqing has any objections?" ”

How could Zhang Yuanzhi have objections? Shaking his head, Zhang Yuanzhi stood up and thanked him, and then said: "Your Majesty, the ministers must bow down and die!" ”

"Good!" Yelu Hongji applauded, and then decided to send the troops.

Next, it was Ma Zhi's turn and Zhang Xiaojie's turn to get busy.

After returning to the political office, Ma Zhi immediately pulled Zhang Xiaojie into the room, and then closed the windows and doors tightly.

Looking at Ma Zhi's cautious appearance, Zhang Xiaojie smiled and asked him, "Master Ma, what's wrong?" Although he was reprimanded by the emperor today, he doesn't have to be so grassy and woody, right? ”

"Shhhhh......h Alas...... Now that our old ministers are becoming more and more useless, the emperor is also more and more interested in our group of old guys, speaking of which...... Today, the old man would like to thank Zhang Xianggong for helping me out of the siege, otherwise...... I'm afraid that my position in the province of Zhongshu will not be guaranteed! ”

After that, Ma Zhi actually saluted Zhang Xiaojie.

Hearing Ma Zhi's words, Zhang Xiaojie immediately returned the salute to Ma Zhi, and then said, "Why did Master Ma say this? It is true that the emperor is indeed a little harsh on you and me, alas...... Who made Zhang Yuanzhi a big celebrity next to the emperor now? Master Ma, we are finally old! ”

Ma Zhi said: "Wrong, Zhang Xianggong, it's me who is old, Zhang Xianggong is still in his prime, and he can still make a difference!" It's just that...... What the lower officials don't understand today is why Zhang Xianggong instigated the emperor to increase taxes, levy poll taxes, and increase the food burden of the people? You must know that if you do this, I am afraid that the people will be more miserable, the light ones will be displaced, and the heavy ones will rise up, and when the time comes, I am afraid that the world will be in chaos! ”

Hearing Ma Zhi's words, Zhang Xiaojie's face changed, and he looked very shocked, and then said to Ma Zhi with a sad face: "Master Ma, why do you say this? Alas...... Today's matter, the old man is also helpless! Master Ma saw it, Yelu Aluhan and Zhang Yuanzhi, and the Xixia envoy were obviously all the way, and the emperor was on Zhang Yuanzhi's side, if the old man didn't want to come up with this method, I was afraid that the emperor would force us to think about it, rather than at that time, the emperor would definitely be displeased, it is better for us to solve this military salary matter first! ”

Ma Zhi nodded when he heard this, and said, "Xia Guan also knows that Zhang Xianggong is for our good, but he just dealt with the emperor, what should we do next?" Is there really a food tax? In this way, wouldn't that force the people to rebel? ”

Zhang Xiaojie said: "If there is no grain tax, then where will the military salary come from?" Without military salaries, what the emperor wants is our head, Master Ma, do we still have a choice? ”

Ma Zhi listened, sat down on the chair, and then said, "It's over, it's over...... Zhang Xianggong, the people in the Yanyun area, were originally Han people, Liaodong was a Jurchen, and on the grassland of Zhenzhou, all ethnic groups and tribes have always been independent. Now our Liao State has been repeatedly defeated by the An Dynasty, which has made those tribes begin to move, Liaodong is even more unbearable, and now the grain tax will be added, I am afraid that the people will rise up in the future, and at that time, you and I are all sinners! ”

Hearing Ma Zhi's words, Zhang Xiaojie also looked hesitant, but Zhang Xiaojie was sneering in his heart.

Hmph, it seems that this second horse is not stupid, he can think so far, and he can also think that the consequences of increasing taxes will force the people to rebel.

Not bad! What the old man wants is the chaos of Liao, and what he wants is for the people to complain, so that King Han can respond to every call in Shangjing!

Zhang Xiaojie's wishful thinking is very loud, and his plan has been carried out in an orderly manner, at this time, Zhang Xiaojie naturally wants to appease Ma Zhi first.

Zhang Xiaojie said to Ma Zhi: "Why should Master Ma worry? The so-called car must have a road before the mountain, besides, how can I say that my hundreds of years of foundation in Daliao will fall? The external troubles are greater than the internal ones, and the people's sufferings can be overcome together. If a foreign enemy invades, the country is defeated, and there are no reinforcements, then it is really dangerous! Now the An Dynasty is in full swing, both military and financial resources are several times that of my Great Liao and Western Xia, if it weren't for the sudden rise of Western Xia this time, I am afraid that Xiao Mo's army would have already hit our Liao State. So this time we must send troops in Western Xia, this is the general trend! ”

"That's a good point!" Ma Zhi nodded.

Zhang Xiaojie saw that Ma Zhi's mood had stabilized a lot, so he continued: "Master Ma, what is the most important thing for us to be courtiers? Naturally, he is loyal and serves the emperor! For the country and the people, we are courtiers, and if we are wronged, what is there to bear this infamy? As long as the country can tide over the difficulties, as long as we can have a clear conscience, I believe that there will naturally be a place for us in this world! ”

"Well said!"

As soon as Zhang Xiaojie's words were explained, Ma Zhi was also excited, and then he looked at Zhang Xiaojie and said: "Zhang Xianggong's words made the old man suddenly open and admire!" Just like Zhang Xianggong said, in the final analysis, we are doing this for the sake of the country and the people, what are we afraid of? ”