The wind rolled the snowflakes in the air, like a white cyclone, and soon dissipated.

Li Binggan tightened his fox fur and took out a map with his body temperature from his arms. After unfolding it, a line of large characters fell to the right hand of the silk - the Shenlong Continent Map.

Since it is the Shenlong Continent, the position in the eastern and eastern lands should naturally be the position of the dragon's head. This is the habit of people in the Central Plains, and the head is the most important part of the body.

Looking at the map in his hand, Li Binggan raised his eyebrows, and always felt something was wrong. It seemed that the map in his hand was a fake map. This map was written by Li Kui, and it is said that it was a map collected by the previous dynasty of the Secretariat of the Song Dynasty. Li Kui was reluctant to draw it for Li Binggan because of Li Binggan's face. As for whether there is a Shenlong Continent, Li Binggan was not sure, and even if Li Kui knew about it, he would not say it.

Besides, according to Li Kui's urinary nature, he also thinks that it is correct. Why is the Eurasian continent called Eurasian continent? Why is it defined by the West wherever one is? For tens of millions of people today, only he can draw the main picture of Eurasian continent. As for the name, he should be called whatever he wants.

Even if he calls this continent the Baizhang Village Continent, there is no problem at all.

However, Li Kui's painting skills were a little worse and he had not learned the true teachings of Su Shi at all. Although he tried his best to learn them when he was under Su Shi's disciple, the problem was that Su Shi had too many talents and knowledge, so he didn't dare to learn everything at all. Of course, some of them didn't have to learn at all. For example, Su Shi believed that the medical skills in the world and the level of traveling around the world were very harmful.

After knowing Su Shi and observing Su Shi up close, Li Kui discovered that behind Su Shi's mysteriousness is strong self-confidence. Everyone around him thinks Su Shi's medical skills are unreliable. But he firmly believes that he is a member of Shennong and the descendant of the medical saint.

But I have to say that Su Shi is indeed at the top level of this era in his poetry, lyrics, songs, literary talent, painting and other talents. Li Kui doesn’t even have time to read books, so how could he learn paintings that require a lot of energy?

Therefore, the maps he draws always give people a sense of playfulness.

It is very bloated and extremely casual. It is like a dragon that is overwhelmed, lying on the ground and napping.

Li Binggan used his divergent thinking to see through it, and he could not see that the ugly continent on the map had a slight relationship with the dragon. There was no way, Li Kui tried his best, and his level was the same. He could not give Li Binggan a refined map that looked very similar. Of course, this map would not look too fake. After all, many countries marked on the map are real. Even Li Kui couldn't understand which countries are there now.

Li Binggan's fingers swayed across the map, and sighed in his heart: "This map should be true, right?"

But Li Binggan still has no idea!

Is this guy Li Kui reliable?

There is no way, Xixia is eager for the Liao Kingdom to end up with Xixia. But the problem is that the Liao Kingdom is very imposing in a bluff, but it really wants to let the Liao Kingdom fight with the Great Song Dynasty with real swords and spears. The powerful Liao Kingdom does not have the courage. It is not that he dares to be an enemy of the Great Song Dynasty, but what if he fights? What if no one can do anything to anyone and no one can stop, what should he do?

It’s impossible that the Liao Kingdom and the Song Dynasty will fight, and the final turning point will become Xixia? Let Xixia reap the benefits of the fisherman?

The Liao Kingdom could not do such a stupid thing.

On the carriage, An Tao finally breathed a sigh of relief. He did not disappoint the court's expectations for him and decided on the ownership of the four prefectures in one breath. At the same time, the control of Hengshan was completely controlled by the Song Dynasty. Such a result would definitely make the monarch and ministers of the Song Dynasty ecstatic. This was the greatest victory in the Song Dynasty's foreign negotiations since the Renzong Dynasty.

Although the negotiations only determined the actual control of the border between the Song Dynasty and the Western Xia. But the question is, when will the Song Dynasty court have the final say on the border between the Song Dynasty?

In fact, the Song Dynasty is not bad. The difference is that there is no good way to face the Liao Kingdom and the Xixia. Infants fight cavalry, not every time they have the opportunity to trick the other party.

An Tao stretched comfortably, and he didn't have to pretend to be a scholar-official demeanor during the journey. Besides, there was no need to be around him. The reason why he called Li Kui was more because he was a little worried: "Renjie, the map of the Shenlong Continent you gave Li Binggan is not true, right?"

Li Kui is a serious person, how could he just lie, unless he doesn't know. He nodded immediately and said seriously: "Really, it must be true."

"But... why haven't I heard of the Dragon Continent? In addition, are there really so many countries on the map?"

An Tao's suspicion is very necessary, especially when facing Li Kui.

Li Kui opened his big eyes and obviously had a slight gaze. He raised his hand and gestured, "Bachelor, don't you deny that my dragon vein of the Song Dynasty is in the east?" Seeing An Tao nodding, Li Kui continued, "In addition, have you read "The Record of the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty"?"

This is a relatively unpopular book, mainly recording Master Xuanzang's experiences in going to the Western Regions, and was compiled into a book by the Secretariat of the Tang Dynasty. It may be that the Tang Dynasty was preparing to use Xuanzang's experiences in it and then conquer the Western Regions and even the entire Central Asia. However, it was later put on hold. But for the Central Plains dynasty, there is always a mysterious but yearning plot in it.

Since the Western Xia took away the land of Gansu and Liang, the Song Dynasty once thought about whether to contact the countries in the Western Regions and attack the Western Xia north and south. This was not embarrassing. When Emperor Wu of Han sent Zhang Qian to the Western Regions, he still wanted to unite with the Great Yuezhi to attack the Huns? Unfortunately, when the Great Han really came to the Western Regions, he found that the Great Yuezhi had been beaten away.

If a great man can do it, the Song Dynasty can do it.

This idea has not been extinguished yet, and the masters of the Privy Council used this book as a strategic supplement. Unfortunately, after Xixia controlled the Silk Road, it cut off the exchanges between the Central Plains and the Western Regions. It has never allowed the Song Dynasty to successfully connect with the Western Regions.

The book "Records of the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty" will definitely not be disseminated among the people. However, it will definitely exist within the Secretariat.

Li Kui was an official from the Secretariat before, so it was nothing strange that he had seen it. But An Tao frowned slightly. During the Xuanzang period, the Western Regions were scattered and nearly a hundred small countries were painted on the map? But in fact, An Tao had also seen the map Li Kui gave Li Binggan. If it were not for his approval, Li Binggan would not have thought of getting this map of the Western Regions.

But he always thought that what was strange was that Li Kui was painting the Western Regions? Why did he feel like the hallucination of an old hen following a group of little chickens?

An Tao frowned and asked: "A master, I have studied "The Record of the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty", but now it is different from the past and the world has changed. Today's Western Regions may not be the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty, right?"

"The scholar's opinion is indeed very different. Fortunately, the little prince Yelu is helping. The Liao Kingdom has a vassal state in the Western Regions. As long as these countries are not wrong, everyone will think there is something wrong with the map! The officials think that this is the same."

Li Kui was glad that he seemed to have done something extraordinary. But it was really amazing. He actually drew the territory of the Western Regions with a book "The Record of the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty". But An Tao found clues from Li Kui's words.

What does it mean to be—almost apart!

Can the word "almost separation" be used in maps?

There is a saying: A slight difference can lead to a thousand miles of mistakes.

According to legend, it will take a year to go to the Western Regions from Chang'an! If the army of Western Xia goes to the wrong place, wouldn't it be over? Li Kui... This guy is so unreliable.

An Tao looked at Li Kui with a little scared look, mainly because Li Kui is bold and arrogant, and he always does something incredible halfway and is not responsible.

An Tao gave Li Binggan the new king of Xixia a moment of silence, and then complained to Li Kui: "If this happens, wouldn't Xixia be frustrated to move westward?"

"No! The scholars and officials painted Hei Khan, Uighurs, Khotan and other countries according to the descriptions of the Liao people, so they would definitely not be wrong." Li Kui said confidently. Just a map of Central Asia. If the name of a small Central Asia country today was really surprising and difficult to figure out, he could draw some 70 to 80% of the image. But no one told him that the huge area was about 10 million square kilometers. Li Kui thought about it so much that he just wrote a few countries irresponsibly.

But he was not lazy everywhere, and retorted: "Bachelor, at least Persia and India should be right. It doesn't matter if the other things are done. Anyway, if the Xixia army really hits wherever they fight, wouldn't they ask for directions?"

Ask for directions?

An Tao was speechless and wanted to point at Li Kui's brain and ask: "Do you think this is going to Beijing to take the exam? You also asked for directions. The Dangxiang people beat him up and were robbers. Who would tell them the real situation sincerely?"

Li Kui twisted the waist of the bucket and turned around in the carriage uncomfortable. There was no way, he was too tall and burly, and looked quite embarrassed in the relatively ordinary carriage. However, he also had questions to ask An Tao: "Bachelor, is the servant going to the capital with you this time?"

"What are you doing in the capital?"

An Tao raised his eyelids and looked at Li Kui, with a little surprised between his eyebrows: "If Your Majesty has not been summoned, you should be at the place after you pass Youzhou."

"What? Come to Youzhou, isn't that Yan'an Prefecture?"

Li Kui couldn't hide the disappointment on his face and said emotionally: "But I have made contributions to the Song Dynasty!"

"You can't tell the merits, and I'm in a dilemma. But don't worry, the merits are yours and I can't escape." An Tao couldn't help but scold Li Kui: "Look at you, after the imperial examination, the Jinshi will be more important. But you should always be a six-year magistrate, right? Even if the court's grace is a minimum period. Unlike other promotions, most official positions will be promoted as appropriate after the term of office expires. Look at yourself, as the Yan'an Prefecture magistrate, how many days have you been an official in Yan'an Prefecture?"

"Even if you make great contributions, no official in the two positions of the Tongzong and the Tuanzhou cannot escape. Even if six years have grown a little for you, you should do it in three years, right?"

This is already a heartfelt statement. This is the right way to become an official. The promotion is too fast. There are such people in the Song Dynasty, but they will definitely not be able to do well in the officialdom.

An Tao looked at Li Kui's restless look, which was a bit funny, but he worked with Li Kui for general reasons... Li Kui was quite reliable, and he felt it was necessary to give Li Kui some guarantee. If he wanted to appreciate this junior, he would definitely not be able to appreciate it, but if he really wanted to let Li Kui be buried in his career, he would not be willing to bear it.

Li Kui has no problem with his ability and talent. The key is that he will be embarrassed at any time.

And he is also an official fan.

Of course, the latter is not a problem for An Tao at all. He talked: "Boy, stay in Yan'an Prefecture for three years. After three years, I will recommend the position of Privy Council to receive the Privy Council. If you enter the Privy Council, you will receive the imperial edict after one year."

In the Song Dynasty, if the promotion of local civil servants is still in the local area, they can basically only consider transferring the yamen, promoting the Changping Siyamen, and promoting the deputy of the Xing Yusiyamen. Tongzong is also promoted directly to the magistrate, but it is rare. If he is an official valued by the court, he will generally be summoned to the capital. Tongzong is a sixth-rank official, but the status of the Beijing officials in the Song Dynasty is too noble. Generally, not only will he not be promoted, but he will also be demoted to the next level in terms of rank.

This is the manifestation of the reused use of civil servants in the Song Dynasty.

Especially in key yamen, such as the Secretariat, the Secretariat, the Secretariat, and the Secretariat.

An Tao was the head of the Privy Council, the second in command of the Privy Council. Compared with those yamen that were very easy for subsequent promotion, the Privy Council will definitely be less attractive. However, the Privy Council is a sixth-rank official, which is considered a level transfer, but it has not been reduced in terms of rank. However, the Privy Council is a different official. This is a fifth-rank official. The sixth-rank official wears green official robes, while among the civil officials of the Song Dynasty, the fifth-rank can wear a red robes. Once the color changes, it will be in the sky and under the ground. But Li Kui shows disgust, which gives people a huge grievance: "Bachelor, can you go to the Censorate?"

"Censorate?"

An Tao thought that this was Liu Anshi's territory. Of course, Liu Anshi seemed to be quite interested in Li Kui, so there was no problem with recommendation. In the promotion system of civil servants in the Song Dynasty, six superiors and officials needed to recommend them to complete the formal promotion. Liu Anshi was naturally one of the candidates An Tao considered recommending Li Kui. As for Su Song... he was too old, maybe when Li Kui needed to be promoted, he would have already retired.

With Fan Chunren, Li Qingchen, and Su Che, you can stand up for Li Kui by just a random stroke.

This is also the unspoken rule of the officialdom in the Song Dynasty. Because promotion requires someone to recommend it as a guarantee, officials in the Song Dynasty are keen on various banquets and gatherings, whether they are cursing against Shangguan or showing their talents. After all, when they are promoted, they need to have enough Shangguan to recommend the election. Although this rule makes officials fear and awe in doing things, it also leads to the occurrence of gangs among officials. Everything has advantages and disadvantages, and this is impossible. Only by entering Beijing officials and being a high-ranking fourth and fifth rank, there is no need to be such a recommendation system.

An Tao was originally a senior official from the Censorate. When Li Kui wanted to plunge into the Censorate, he thought it was Su Che's intention. After thinking about it, he asked Li Kui: "Why are you going to the Censorate? Who likes that official position?"

"It's good to be a clerk at the left and right."

After Li Kui finished speaking, he seemed to nodded seriously.

But An Tao suddenly woke up in his heart. Was Su Che really ready to start from the Censorate? The conservatives were infiltrated the most severely. If they were replaced by ordinary officials, they would really not be able to do anything to the Censorate's group of fearless guys. Letting Li Kui go may be a way. An Tao couldn't help but expect: "Renjie, it's okay for you to go to the Censorate. The left and right censors are not incapable of operating, but if you go to the Censorate, you may be isolated. Have you ever thought about how to break the deadlock?"

"Break the deadlock? I haven't thought about it." Li Kui's big head shaking like a rattle, and he gritted his teeth and said, "I have a few enemies, and I'm going to collect their black materials when I go to the Censorate..."

"Get down!"

An Tao's eyebrows were all raised. He thought that Li Kui was going to the Censorate to show his skills, but he didn't expect that this guy was thinking about using the public utility for personal use. How could he tolerate this?

In fact, Li Kui is not like this, and there is another benefit to going to the Censorate.

The censor had no choice but to sue the person, so he didn't have to worry about being stabbed. After thinking about it, among the officials in the capital, except for the prime minister, it seemed that the official position of the Censorate was most in line with his wishes.

By the way, he could also use the convenience of the censor to bully a few officials who dared to roll their eyes at him.

But how could An Tao help with this thought? If he felt that his turtle punch was useless on Li Kui, he would want to beat Li Kui violently.

Capital City, Bianliang.

There are always some people in any dynasty who don’t care about the government and play games all day long in the prosperity of the capital.

King Duan Zhao Ji is such a person. Recently, Zhao Ji was involved in the trouble. The Duan Palace was jointly sued by more than ten merchants. He did not pay for the goods and went to the Duan Palace to ask for it. The royal palace even let the dogs hurt people.

The lawsuit was spread among the people in the capital at once.

But what about Zhao Ji?

There was hardship, and Li Bingqian was wandering under his command. He was once the money manager of the Duan Prince's Mansion. Why did Li Bingqian ask him to pay back the money on credit? But the problem is that Zhao Ji didn't dare to tell Li Bingqian's identity at all. What can he say? The current emperor of Xixia was once a slave of his subordinates? Li Bingqian owed the debt to the Xingqing Mansion to ask for it.

If he dares to say this, the censor dares to sue him for the presumption.

Even if Li Bingqian did not overthrow the Liang family, he was the prince of Xixia. How could Zhao Ji dare to use the prince of Xixia to do his job as a manager for him?

There is no way, the money must be paid back. Recently, Zhao Ji's lack of money has spread all over the capital. Because he borrowed money, his friends were at least 90%. There was no other way that day. He came to his uncle's house, the Duwei Mansion of the Prince Consort, and thought that he could borrow a little. He mustered up the steps of the mansion. Seeing that it was King Duan, the gatekeeper of the Duwei Mansion of the Prince Consort did not dare to look at people. He gritted the bullet and said to Zhao Ji: "Prince, my master has gone to Songshan!"

Zhao Ji was stunned. He saw Wang Shi in Fengle Tower yesterday and ran away in just one night?

Zhao Ji, who felt offended, stood on the street, with a pale face facing the prince-consort Duwei's mansion and kept his luck.
Chapter completed!